Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
16th Edition
• Author(s)Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H.
Cheever; Kristen J. Overbaugh; Carolyn
E. Bradley
ISBN: 9781975221133
Question 1:
Question Type: MCQ
Question Stem: Which statement best describes evidence-
based practice in nursing?
Options:
A. Using the best available research, clinical expertise, and the
patient’s preferences to guide care.
B. Following long-standing unit routines because they have
always worked.
,C. Relying primarily on the opinion of the most experienced
nurse.
D. Using only randomized controlled trials to make all clinical
decisions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale for A: This is the best description of evidence-based
practice because it combines research evidence, clinician
judgment, and patient values. Safe nursing care depends on
integrating all three, not using one source in isolation.
Rationale for B: Tradition alone is not evidence. A practice may
be common on a unit and still be outdated or unsafe if it has
not been supported by current evidence.
Rationale for C: Experience is valuable, but expert opinion by
itself is not enough to ensure the best outcome. Evidence-
based practice requires more than personal preference or
habit.
Rationale for D: Randomized trials are important, but they are
not the only source of evidence used in nursing. Practice
decisions also include clinical expertise, patient goals, and other
high-quality research.
Key Takeaway: Evidence-based practice blends research,
nursing judgment, and patient preferences.
Question 2:
Question Type: MCQ
,Question Stem: Which factor is an example of a social
determinant that can influence a person’s health?
Options:
A. Ability to afford healthy food and reliable transportation
B. Blood type
C. Eye color
D. Hand dominance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale for A: Access to food and transportation directly
affects health management, follow-up care, and medication
access. These are real-world influences on health outcomes.
Rationale for B: Blood type is a biologic characteristic, not a
social determinant. It may matter clinically, but it does not
describe the patient’s social environment.
Rationale for C: Eye color is a physical trait and does not
determine access to care or health resources. It is not a social
influence on health.
Rationale for D: Hand dominance is a normal physical variation
and does not affect the social conditions that shape health. It is
not considered a determinant of health.
Key Takeaway: Health is shaped not only by biology, but also by
access, income, education, and environment.
Question 3:
Question Type: MCQ
, Question Stem: The nurse observes a nursing assistant
beginning to teach a patient how to care for a surgical incision.
What is the nurse’s best action?
Options:
A. Allow the teaching to continue because the nursing assistant
has worked on the unit for years.
B. Stop the activity and clarify that teaching requiring
evaluation is the RN’s responsibility.
C. Ask the nursing assistant to document the teaching in the
record.
D. Tell the patient to wait for discharge instructions from the
surgeon only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale for A: Experience does not expand scope of practice.
Patient teaching that requires assessment, evaluation, and
clinical judgment belongs to the RN.
Rationale for B: This protects the patient and the staff member
by keeping the task within scope. Teaching and evaluation are
core RN responsibilities.
Rationale for C: Documentation does not make an
inappropriate task appropriate. The problem is the delegation
itself, not just the record entry.
Rationale for D: The surgeon may provide procedural
information, but nursing teaching is still needed. The RN should
not delay or avoid this responsibility.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
16th Edition
• Author(s)Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H.
Cheever; Kristen J. Overbaugh; Carolyn
E. Bradley
ISBN: 9781975221133
Question 1:
Question Type: MCQ
Question Stem: Which statement best describes evidence-
based practice in nursing?
Options:
A. Using the best available research, clinical expertise, and the
patient’s preferences to guide care.
B. Following long-standing unit routines because they have
always worked.
,C. Relying primarily on the opinion of the most experienced
nurse.
D. Using only randomized controlled trials to make all clinical
decisions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale for A: This is the best description of evidence-based
practice because it combines research evidence, clinician
judgment, and patient values. Safe nursing care depends on
integrating all three, not using one source in isolation.
Rationale for B: Tradition alone is not evidence. A practice may
be common on a unit and still be outdated or unsafe if it has
not been supported by current evidence.
Rationale for C: Experience is valuable, but expert opinion by
itself is not enough to ensure the best outcome. Evidence-
based practice requires more than personal preference or
habit.
Rationale for D: Randomized trials are important, but they are
not the only source of evidence used in nursing. Practice
decisions also include clinical expertise, patient goals, and other
high-quality research.
Key Takeaway: Evidence-based practice blends research,
nursing judgment, and patient preferences.
Question 2:
Question Type: MCQ
,Question Stem: Which factor is an example of a social
determinant that can influence a person’s health?
Options:
A. Ability to afford healthy food and reliable transportation
B. Blood type
C. Eye color
D. Hand dominance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale for A: Access to food and transportation directly
affects health management, follow-up care, and medication
access. These are real-world influences on health outcomes.
Rationale for B: Blood type is a biologic characteristic, not a
social determinant. It may matter clinically, but it does not
describe the patient’s social environment.
Rationale for C: Eye color is a physical trait and does not
determine access to care or health resources. It is not a social
influence on health.
Rationale for D: Hand dominance is a normal physical variation
and does not affect the social conditions that shape health. It is
not considered a determinant of health.
Key Takeaway: Health is shaped not only by biology, but also by
access, income, education, and environment.
Question 3:
Question Type: MCQ
, Question Stem: The nurse observes a nursing assistant
beginning to teach a patient how to care for a surgical incision.
What is the nurse’s best action?
Options:
A. Allow the teaching to continue because the nursing assistant
has worked on the unit for years.
B. Stop the activity and clarify that teaching requiring
evaluation is the RN’s responsibility.
C. Ask the nursing assistant to document the teaching in the
record.
D. Tell the patient to wait for discharge instructions from the
surgeon only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale for A: Experience does not expand scope of practice.
Patient teaching that requires assessment, evaluation, and
clinical judgment belongs to the RN.
Rationale for B: This protects the patient and the staff member
by keeping the task within scope. Teaching and evaluation are
core RN responsibilities.
Rationale for C: Documentation does not make an
inappropriate task appropriate. The problem is the delegation
itself, not just the record entry.
Rationale for D: The surgeon may provide procedural
information, but nursing teaching is still needed. The RN should
not delay or avoid this responsibility.
