Medical-Surgical Nursing Study Guide & MCQ Test Bank – Fast Revision

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
(Vol.1 & Vol.2)
22nd Edition
• Author(s)Joseph Loscalzo; Anthony S.
Fauci; Dennis L. Kasper; Stephen Hauser;
Dan Longo; J. Larry Jameson
Test Bank




Covered

PART 1: Foundations of Clinical Medicine

PART 2: Cardinal Symptoms & Clinical Presentations

PART 3: Clinical Pharmacology

PART 4: Oncology & Hematology

PART 5: Infectious Diseases

PART 6: Cardiovascular Disorders

PART 7: Respiratory Disorders

PART 8: Critical Care Medicine

PART 9: Kidney & Urinary Tract Disorders

PART 10: Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Disorders

,PART 11: Immune-Mediated & Rheumatologic Disorders

PART 12: Endocrinology & Metabolism

PART 13: Neurologic & Psychiatric Disorders

PART 14: Toxicology & Environmental Injury

PART 15: Environmental & Occupational Medicine

PART 16: Genetics, Precision & Systems Medicine

PART 17–20: Special & Emerging Topics




Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (22nd ed)
Integrated Test Bank — Foundations of Clinical Medicine
Chapters 1–13 (Selected Topics)
Total Questions: 20


1.
Which principle best defines the modern practice of medicine
as described in Harrison’s?
A. Disease-centered management
B. Technology-driven diagnosis
C. Patient-centered, evidence-informed care
D. Protocol-based treatment alone
Correct Answer: C

,Rationale: Harrison’s emphasizes that modern medicine
integrates scientific evidence with patient values, preferences,
and clinical context, forming patient-centered care rather than
disease-only management.
Citation: Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 22nd ed.,
Ch. 1 – The Practice of Medicine


2.
Which factor has the greatest population-level impact on
improving health outcomes?
A. Expansion of specialty care
B. Increased diagnostic imaging
C. Preventive public health interventions
D. Advanced pharmacologic therapies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Harrison’s highlights that public health measures
such as sanitation, vaccination, and prevention produce the
largest improvements in population health.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 2 – Promoting Good Health


3.
Vaccine hesitancy is MOST commonly driven by which concern?

,A. Cost of vaccines
B. Religious prohibition
C. Fear of adverse effects and misinformation
D. Limited provider access
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Harrison’s identifies misinformation, distrust, and
exaggerated fears of harm as central contributors to vaccine
opposition.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 3 – Vaccine Opposition and
Hesitancy


4.
Which approach best improves shared clinical decision-making?
A. Providing the most aggressive treatment
B. Limiting patient involvement
C. Aligning evidence with patient values
D. Following institutional protocols exclusively
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Effective decision-making integrates clinical evidence
with patient goals, preferences, and values to optimize
outcomes.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 4 – Decision-Making in
Clinical Medicine

,5.
Precision medicine primarily aims to:
A. Replace clinical judgment with algorithms
B. Tailor care based on individual variability
C. Reduce healthcare costs universally
D. Eliminate population-based guidelines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Precision medicine uses genetic, environmental, and
lifestyle data to individualize prevention and treatment
strategies.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 5 – Precision Medicine and
Clinical Care


6.
Which screening principle is emphasized by Harrison’s?
A. Screen for all diseases whenever possible
B. Screen only if early detection improves outcomes
C. Screen regardless of patient risk
D. Screen only symptomatic patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Screening is justified only when early detection leads
to better health outcomes and benefits outweigh harms.

,Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 6 – Screening and Prevention
of Disease


7.
A core nursing implication of patient safety is:
A. Individual vigilance alone
B. Blame-focused error reporting
C. Systems-based error prevention
D. Avoidance of error disclosure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Harrison’s stresses that safety failures are usually
system-based, requiring structured prevention strategies rather
than individual blame.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 7 – The Safety and Quality of
Health Care


8.
Why does the physical examination remain clinically valuable
despite advanced diagnostics?
A. It replaces laboratory testing
B. It confirms imaging findings
C. It guides diagnostic reasoning and patient trust
D. It eliminates diagnostic uncertainty

,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The physical exam supports clinical reasoning,
diagnostic prioritization, and therapeutic relationships.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 8 – The Value of the Physical
Examination in Modern Medicine


9.
Which factor most contributes to physician burnout?
A. Lack of clinical knowledge
B. Excessive administrative burden
C. Short patient encounters
D. Advances in technology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Harrison’s identifies administrative overload and loss
of professional autonomy as key drivers of clinician burnout.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 9 – Physician Well-Being


10.
Diagnostic error most commonly results from:
A. Lack of technology
B. Poor laboratory accuracy
C. Cognitive biases and system failures
D. Rare disease presentations

,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Harrison’s emphasizes that diagnostic errors are
often multifactorial, involving cognitive biases and flawed
systems.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 10 – Diagnosis: Reducing
Errors and Improving Quality


11.
Which nursing action best helps reduce diagnostic error?
A. Independent decision-making
B. Strict protocol adherence
C. Effective communication and handoffs
D. Minimizing patient input
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clear communication among healthcare team
members is critical for diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 10 – Diagnosis: Reducing
Errors and Improving Quality


12.
Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are MOST strongly
linked to:

,A. Genetic differences
B. Patient noncompliance
C. Social determinants of health
D. Language barriers alone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Harrison’s highlights structural inequities, access
barriers, and social determinants as primary causes of
disparities.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 11 – Racial and Ethnic
Disparities in Health Care


13.
Which ethical principle supports respecting a patient’s informed
refusal of treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy affirms the patient’s right to make
informed decisions about their own care.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 12 – Ethical Issues in Clinical
Medicine

, 14.
Withholding nonbeneficial treatment at end of life primarily
reflects which principle?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beneficence supports actions that promote patient
well-being and avoid unnecessary suffering.
Citation: Harrison’s, 22nd ed., Ch. 12 – Ethical Issues in Clinical
Medicine


15.
Palliative care is BEST described as:
A. Care limited to the final days of life
B. Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment
C. Symptom-focused care at any stage of serious illness
D. Hospice-only services
Correct Answer: C