RELIAS MEDICAL SURGICAL RN FORM A &B EXAM 2024/2025
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dyspnea. Which
of the following positions should the nurse instruct the client to assume to ease breathing?
a) Lying flat in bed
b) Sitting in a recliner, leaning forward on a pillow
c) Standing and leaning backward against the wall
d) Lying on the side with a pillow between the legs
Answer: b) Sitting in a recliner, leaning forward on a pillow
Rationale: Leaning forward on a pillow while sitting helps to maximize lung expansion and
reduce the workload of breathing.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
findings indicates a complication of diabetes?
a) Bradycardia
b) Polyuria
c) Weight gain
d) Increased thirst
Answer: b) Polyuria
Rationale: Polyuria, or excessive urination, is a common complication of diabetes due to the
osmotic diuresis caused by hyperglycemia.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Take your pulse for 30 seconds before each dose."
,b) "Increase your intake of foods high in potassium."
c) "Do not take this medication if your pulse is below 60 bpm."
d) "Double the dose if you miss a dose."
Answer: c) "Do not take this medication if your pulse is below 60 bpm."
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The client should be instructed to check their pulse
and withhold the medication if it is below 60 bpm.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed warfarin. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the therapy?
a) Platelet count
b) Prothrombin time (PT)
c) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
d) Bleeding time
Answer: b) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: PT and INR are used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy in preventing
blood clots.
5. A client is scheduled for an elective surgery and the nurse notes the client has a history of
myocardial infarction (MI) 6 months ago. The nurse should identify that the client is at risk for
which of the following complications?
a) Infection
b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
c) Hyperthermia
d) Urinary retention
Answer: b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Rationale: A history of MI increases the risk of DVT, particularly during periods of immobility
such as post-surgery.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with renal failure who is receiving hemodialysis. Which of the
following laboratory results should the nurse monitor?
,a) Serum sodium
b) Serum calcium
c) Serum potassium
d) Serum chloride
Answer: c) Serum potassium
Rationale: Clients with renal failure are at risk for hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening.
Hemodialysis helps to remove excess potassium.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury and is exhibiting decerebrate
posturing. Which of the following indicates this type of posturing?
a) Internal rotation and adduction of arms with flexion of elbows
b) Rigid extension of all four extremities
c) Spastic movements of the upper and lower extremities
d) Flaccid paralysis of all four extremities
Answer: b) Rigid extension of all four extremities
Rationale: Decerebrate posturing involves rigid extension and pronation of the arms and legs
and indicates severe brain injury.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus about self-
administering insulin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Shake the insulin bottle well before drawing it up."
b) "Inject the insulin into the muscle for faster absorption."
c) "Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
d) "Store the insulin in the freezer between uses."
Answer: c) "Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps to prevent lipodystrophy, which can interfere with
insulin absorption.
, 9. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a deep partial-thickness burn injury. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
a) Apply ice packs to the burn area.
b) Administer pain medication 30 minutes before dressing changes.
c) Remove blisters during wound care.
d) Elevate the burned extremities lower than the heart level.
Answer: b) Administer pain medication 30 minutes before dressing changes.
Rationale: Pain management is crucial for clients with burn injuries, especially before dressing
changes which can be painful.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Take the medication with food."
b) "Expect to feel the full effects of the medication immediately."
c) "Report any signs of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations."
d) "You can stop taking the medication once symptoms improve."
Answer: c) "Report any signs of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations."
Rationale: Signs of hyperthyroidism can indicate an overdose of levothyroxine, requiring a
dosage adjustment.
This format will be followed for the remaining questions to ensure consistency and clarity. Let's
proceed with the next set:
11. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Which of the following
findings indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
a) Hypertension
b) Bradycardia
c) Low back pain
d) Hypothermia
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dyspnea. Which
of the following positions should the nurse instruct the client to assume to ease breathing?
a) Lying flat in bed
b) Sitting in a recliner, leaning forward on a pillow
c) Standing and leaning backward against the wall
d) Lying on the side with a pillow between the legs
Answer: b) Sitting in a recliner, leaning forward on a pillow
Rationale: Leaning forward on a pillow while sitting helps to maximize lung expansion and
reduce the workload of breathing.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
findings indicates a complication of diabetes?
a) Bradycardia
b) Polyuria
c) Weight gain
d) Increased thirst
Answer: b) Polyuria
Rationale: Polyuria, or excessive urination, is a common complication of diabetes due to the
osmotic diuresis caused by hyperglycemia.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Take your pulse for 30 seconds before each dose."
,b) "Increase your intake of foods high in potassium."
c) "Do not take this medication if your pulse is below 60 bpm."
d) "Double the dose if you miss a dose."
Answer: c) "Do not take this medication if your pulse is below 60 bpm."
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The client should be instructed to check their pulse
and withhold the medication if it is below 60 bpm.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed warfarin. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the therapy?
a) Platelet count
b) Prothrombin time (PT)
c) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
d) Bleeding time
Answer: b) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: PT and INR are used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy in preventing
blood clots.
5. A client is scheduled for an elective surgery and the nurse notes the client has a history of
myocardial infarction (MI) 6 months ago. The nurse should identify that the client is at risk for
which of the following complications?
a) Infection
b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
c) Hyperthermia
d) Urinary retention
Answer: b) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Rationale: A history of MI increases the risk of DVT, particularly during periods of immobility
such as post-surgery.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with renal failure who is receiving hemodialysis. Which of the
following laboratory results should the nurse monitor?
,a) Serum sodium
b) Serum calcium
c) Serum potassium
d) Serum chloride
Answer: c) Serum potassium
Rationale: Clients with renal failure are at risk for hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening.
Hemodialysis helps to remove excess potassium.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury and is exhibiting decerebrate
posturing. Which of the following indicates this type of posturing?
a) Internal rotation and adduction of arms with flexion of elbows
b) Rigid extension of all four extremities
c) Spastic movements of the upper and lower extremities
d) Flaccid paralysis of all four extremities
Answer: b) Rigid extension of all four extremities
Rationale: Decerebrate posturing involves rigid extension and pronation of the arms and legs
and indicates severe brain injury.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus about self-
administering insulin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Shake the insulin bottle well before drawing it up."
b) "Inject the insulin into the muscle for faster absorption."
c) "Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
d) "Store the insulin in the freezer between uses."
Answer: c) "Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps to prevent lipodystrophy, which can interfere with
insulin absorption.
, 9. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a deep partial-thickness burn injury. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
a) Apply ice packs to the burn area.
b) Administer pain medication 30 minutes before dressing changes.
c) Remove blisters during wound care.
d) Elevate the burned extremities lower than the heart level.
Answer: b) Administer pain medication 30 minutes before dressing changes.
Rationale: Pain management is crucial for clients with burn injuries, especially before dressing
changes which can be painful.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) "Take the medication with food."
b) "Expect to feel the full effects of the medication immediately."
c) "Report any signs of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations."
d) "You can stop taking the medication once symptoms improve."
Answer: c) "Report any signs of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations."
Rationale: Signs of hyperthyroidism can indicate an overdose of levothyroxine, requiring a
dosage adjustment.
This format will be followed for the remaining questions to ensure consistency and clarity. Let's
proceed with the next set:
11. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Which of the following
findings indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
a) Hypertension
b) Bradycardia
c) Low back pain
d) Hypothermia
