Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing 12th Edition Question Bank
Chapter 01: Professional Nursing
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse completes an admission database and explains that the plan of care and discharge
goals will be developed with the patient’s input. The patient asks, “How is this different from
what the doctor does?” Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. “The role of the nurse is to administer medications and other treatments prescribed
by your doctor.”
b. “In addition to caring for you while you are sick, the nurses will help you plan to
maintain your health.”
c. “The nurse’s job is to help the doctor by collecting information and
communicating any problems that occur.”
d. “Nurses perform many of the same procedures as the doctor, but nurses are with
the patients for a longer time than the doctor.”
ANS: B
The American Nurses Association (ANA) definition of nursing describes the role of nurses in
promoting health. The other responses describe dependent and collaborative functions of the
nursing role but do not accurately describe the nurse’s unique role in the health care system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. The nurse describes to a student nurse how to use evidence-based practice (EBP) when caring
M
for patients. Which statement by the nurse accurately describes the use of EBP?
a. “Inferences from all published articles are used as a guide.”
b. “Patient care is based on clinical judgment, experience, and traditions.”
c. “Data are analyzed later to show that the patient outcomes are consistently met.”
d. “Recommendations are based on research, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences.”
ANS: D
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the use of the best research-based evidence combined with
clinician expertise and consideration of patient preferences. Clinical judgment based on the
nurse’s clinical experience is part of EBP, but clinical decision making should also
incorporate current research and research-based guidelines. Evaluation of patient outcomes is
important, but data analysis is not required to use EBP. All published articles do not provide
research evidence; interventions should be based on credible research, preferably randomized
controlled studies with a large number of subjects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (knowledge) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about how to apply the nursing process when providing
patient care. Which statement by the student nurse indicates that teaching was successful?
a. “The nursing process is a research method of diagnosing the patient’s health care
problems.”
b. “The nursing process is used primarily to explain nursing interventions to other
, Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing 12th Edition Question Bank
Chapter 01: Professional Nursing
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse completes an admission database and explains that the plan of care and discharge
goals will be developed with the patient’s input. The patient asks, “How is this different from
what the doctor does?” Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. “The role of the nurse is to administer medications and other treatments prescribed
by your doctor.”
b. “In addition to caring for you while you are sick, the nurses will help you plan to
maintain your health.”
c. “The nurse’s job is to help the doctor by collecting information and
communicating any problems that occur.”
d. “Nurses perform many of the same procedures as the doctor, but nurses are with
the patients for a longer time than the doctor.”
ANS: B
The American Nurses Association (ANA) definition of nursing describes the role of nurses in
promoting health. The other responses describe dependent and collaborative functions of the
nursing role but do not accurately describe the nurse’s unique role in the health care system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. The nurse describes to a student nurse how to use evidence-based practice (EBP) when caring
M
for patients. Which statement by the nurse accurately describes the use of EBP?
a. “Inferences from all published articles are used as a guide.”
b. “Patient care is based on clinical judgment, experience, and traditions.”
c. “Data are analyzed later to show that the patient outcomes are consistently met.”
d. “Recommendations are based on research, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences.”
ANS: D
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the use of the best research-based evidence combined with
clinician expertise and consideration of patient preferences. Clinical judgment based on the
nurse’s clinical experience is part of EBP, but clinical decision making should also
incorporate current research and research-based guidelines. Evaluation of patient outcomes is
important, but data analysis is not required to use EBP. All published articles do not provide
research evidence; interventions should be based on credible research, preferably randomized
controlled studies with a large number of subjects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (knowledge) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about how to apply the nursing process when providing
patient care. Which statement by the student nurse indicates that teaching was successful?
a. “The nursing process is a research method of diagnosing the patient’s health care
problems.”
b. “The nursing process is used primarily to explain nursing interventions to other
, health care professionals.”
c. “The nursing process is a problem-solving tool used to identify and treat the
patients’ health care needs.”
d. “The nursing process is based on nursing theory that incorporates the
biopsychosocial nature of humans.”
ANS: C
The nursing process is a problem-solving approach to the identification and treatment of
patients’ problems. Nursing process does not require research methods for diagnosis. The
primary use of the nursing process is in patient care, not to establish nursing theory or explain
nursing interventions to other health care professionals.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. A patient admitted to the hospital for surgery tells the nurse, “I do not feel comfortable
leaving my children with my parents.” Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Reassure the patient that these feelings are common for parents.
b. Have the patient call the children to ensure that they are doing well.
c. Gather information on the patient’s concerns about the child care arrangements.
d. Call the patient’s parents to determine whether adequate child care is being
provided.
ANS: C
Because a complete assessment is necessary in order to identify a problem and choose an
appropriate intervention, the nurse’s first action should be to obtain more information. The
other actions may be appropriate, but more assessment is needed before the best intervention
can be chosen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A patient with a bacterial infection is hypovolemic due to a fever and excessive diaphoresis.
Which expected outcome would the nurse recognize as appropriate for this patient?
a. Patient has a balanced intake and output.
b. Patient’s bedding is kept clean and free of moisture.
c. Patient understands the need for increased fluid intake.
d. Patient’s skin remains cool and dry throughout hospitalization.
ANS: A
Balanced intake and output gives measurable data showing resolution of the problem of
deficient fluid volume. The other statements would not indicate that the problem of
hypovolemia was resolved.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. After administering medication, the nurse asks the patient if pain was relieved. What is the
purpose of the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
a. To document the nursing care plan in the progress notes of the health record
b. To determine if interventions have been effective in meeting patient outcomes
, Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing 12th Edition Harding Test Bank
c. To decide whether the patient’s health problems have been completely resolved
d. To establish if the patient agrees that the nursing care provided was satisfactory
ANS: B
Evaluation consists of determining whether the desired patient outcomes have been met and
whether the nursing interventions were appropriate. The other responses do not describe the
evaluation phase.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
7. The nurse interviews a patient while completing the health history and physical examination.
What is the purpose of the assessment phase of the nursing process?
a.To teach interventions that relieve health problems
b.To use patient data to evaluate patient care outcomes
c.To help the patient identify realistic outcomes for health problems
d.To obtain data with which to diagnose patient strengths and problems
ANS: D
During the assessment phase, the nurse gathers information about the patient to diagnose
patient strengths and problems. The other responses are examples of the planning,
intervention, and evaluation phases of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
8. The nurse admits a patient to the hospital and develops a plan of care. What components
should the nurse include in the patient problem statement?
a. The problem and the suggested patient goals or O outcomes
b. The problem, its causes, and the signs and symptoms of the problem
c. The problem with the possible etiology and the planned interventions
d. The problem, the pathophysiology of the problem, and the expected outcome
ANS: B
When writing patient problems or nursing diagnoses, this format should be used: problem,
etiology, and signs and symptoms. The subjective as well as objective data should be
included. Goals, outcomes, and interventions are not included in the problem statement.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
9. Which patient care task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to experienced unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
a. Instruct the patient about the need to alternate activity and rest.
b. Monitor level of shortness of breath or fatigue after ambulation.
c. Obtain the patient’s blood pressure and pulse rate after ambulation.
d. Determine whether the patient is ready to increase the activity level.
ANS: C
UAP education includes accurate vital sign measurement. Assessment and patient teaching
require registered nurse education and scope of practice and cannot be delegated.
Chapter 01: Professional Nursing
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse completes an admission database and explains that the plan of care and discharge
goals will be developed with the patient’s input. The patient asks, “How is this different from
what the doctor does?” Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. “The role of the nurse is to administer medications and other treatments prescribed
by your doctor.”
b. “In addition to caring for you while you are sick, the nurses will help you plan to
maintain your health.”
c. “The nurse’s job is to help the doctor by collecting information and
communicating any problems that occur.”
d. “Nurses perform many of the same procedures as the doctor, but nurses are with
the patients for a longer time than the doctor.”
ANS: B
The American Nurses Association (ANA) definition of nursing describes the role of nurses in
promoting health. The other responses describe dependent and collaborative functions of the
nursing role but do not accurately describe the nurse’s unique role in the health care system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. The nurse describes to a student nurse how to use evidence-based practice (EBP) when caring
M
for patients. Which statement by the nurse accurately describes the use of EBP?
a. “Inferences from all published articles are used as a guide.”
b. “Patient care is based on clinical judgment, experience, and traditions.”
c. “Data are analyzed later to show that the patient outcomes are consistently met.”
d. “Recommendations are based on research, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences.”
ANS: D
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the use of the best research-based evidence combined with
clinician expertise and consideration of patient preferences. Clinical judgment based on the
nurse’s clinical experience is part of EBP, but clinical decision making should also
incorporate current research and research-based guidelines. Evaluation of patient outcomes is
important, but data analysis is not required to use EBP. All published articles do not provide
research evidence; interventions should be based on credible research, preferably randomized
controlled studies with a large number of subjects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (knowledge) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about how to apply the nursing process when providing
patient care. Which statement by the student nurse indicates that teaching was successful?
a. “The nursing process is a research method of diagnosing the patient’s health care
problems.”
b. “The nursing process is used primarily to explain nursing interventions to other
, Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing 12th Edition Question Bank
Chapter 01: Professional Nursing
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse completes an admission database and explains that the plan of care and discharge
goals will be developed with the patient’s input. The patient asks, “How is this different from
what the doctor does?” Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. “The role of the nurse is to administer medications and other treatments prescribed
by your doctor.”
b. “In addition to caring for you while you are sick, the nurses will help you plan to
maintain your health.”
c. “The nurse’s job is to help the doctor by collecting information and
communicating any problems that occur.”
d. “Nurses perform many of the same procedures as the doctor, but nurses are with
the patients for a longer time than the doctor.”
ANS: B
The American Nurses Association (ANA) definition of nursing describes the role of nurses in
promoting health. The other responses describe dependent and collaborative functions of the
nursing role but do not accurately describe the nurse’s unique role in the health care system.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. The nurse describes to a student nurse how to use evidence-based practice (EBP) when caring
M
for patients. Which statement by the nurse accurately describes the use of EBP?
a. “Inferences from all published articles are used as a guide.”
b. “Patient care is based on clinical judgment, experience, and traditions.”
c. “Data are analyzed later to show that the patient outcomes are consistently met.”
d. “Recommendations are based on research, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences.”
ANS: D
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the use of the best research-based evidence combined with
clinician expertise and consideration of patient preferences. Clinical judgment based on the
nurse’s clinical experience is part of EBP, but clinical decision making should also
incorporate current research and research-based guidelines. Evaluation of patient outcomes is
important, but data analysis is not required to use EBP. All published articles do not provide
research evidence; interventions should be based on credible research, preferably randomized
controlled studies with a large number of subjects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (knowledge) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about how to apply the nursing process when providing
patient care. Which statement by the student nurse indicates that teaching was successful?
a. “The nursing process is a research method of diagnosing the patient’s health care
problems.”
b. “The nursing process is used primarily to explain nursing interventions to other
, health care professionals.”
c. “The nursing process is a problem-solving tool used to identify and treat the
patients’ health care needs.”
d. “The nursing process is based on nursing theory that incorporates the
biopsychosocial nature of humans.”
ANS: C
The nursing process is a problem-solving approach to the identification and treatment of
patients’ problems. Nursing process does not require research methods for diagnosis. The
primary use of the nursing process is in patient care, not to establish nursing theory or explain
nursing interventions to other health care professionals.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. A patient admitted to the hospital for surgery tells the nurse, “I do not feel comfortable
leaving my children with my parents.” Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Reassure the patient that these feelings are common for parents.
b. Have the patient call the children to ensure that they are doing well.
c. Gather information on the patient’s concerns about the child care arrangements.
d. Call the patient’s parents to determine whether adequate child care is being
provided.
ANS: C
Because a complete assessment is necessary in order to identify a problem and choose an
appropriate intervention, the nurse’s first action should be to obtain more information. The
other actions may be appropriate, but more assessment is needed before the best intervention
can be chosen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A patient with a bacterial infection is hypovolemic due to a fever and excessive diaphoresis.
Which expected outcome would the nurse recognize as appropriate for this patient?
a. Patient has a balanced intake and output.
b. Patient’s bedding is kept clean and free of moisture.
c. Patient understands the need for increased fluid intake.
d. Patient’s skin remains cool and dry throughout hospitalization.
ANS: A
Balanced intake and output gives measurable data showing resolution of the problem of
deficient fluid volume. The other statements would not indicate that the problem of
hypovolemia was resolved.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. After administering medication, the nurse asks the patient if pain was relieved. What is the
purpose of the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
a. To document the nursing care plan in the progress notes of the health record
b. To determine if interventions have been effective in meeting patient outcomes
, Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing 12th Edition Harding Test Bank
c. To decide whether the patient’s health problems have been completely resolved
d. To establish if the patient agrees that the nursing care provided was satisfactory
ANS: B
Evaluation consists of determining whether the desired patient outcomes have been met and
whether the nursing interventions were appropriate. The other responses do not describe the
evaluation phase.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
7. The nurse interviews a patient while completing the health history and physical examination.
What is the purpose of the assessment phase of the nursing process?
a.To teach interventions that relieve health problems
b.To use patient data to evaluate patient care outcomes
c.To help the patient identify realistic outcomes for health problems
d.To obtain data with which to diagnose patient strengths and problems
ANS: D
During the assessment phase, the nurse gathers information about the patient to diagnose
patient strengths and problems. The other responses are examples of the planning,
intervention, and evaluation phases of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
8. The nurse admits a patient to the hospital and develops a plan of care. What components
should the nurse include in the patient problem statement?
a. The problem and the suggested patient goals or O outcomes
b. The problem, its causes, and the signs and symptoms of the problem
c. The problem with the possible etiology and the planned interventions
d. The problem, the pathophysiology of the problem, and the expected outcome
ANS: B
When writing patient problems or nursing diagnoses, this format should be used: problem,
etiology, and signs and symptoms. The subjective as well as objective data should be
included. Goals, outcomes, and interventions are not included in the problem statement.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
9. Which patient care task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to experienced unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP)?
a. Instruct the patient about the need to alternate activity and rest.
b. Monitor level of shortness of breath or fatigue after ambulation.
c. Obtain the patient’s blood pressure and pulse rate after ambulation.
d. Determine whether the patient is ready to increase the activity level.
ANS: C
UAP education includes accurate vital sign measurement. Assessment and patient teaching
require registered nurse education and scope of practice and cannot be delegated.
