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:
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is reviewing the role of the
professional nurse with a new graduate. Which action best
reflects professional nursing practice?
Options:
A. Using personal judgment to decide which physician orders to
question
,B. Following a care plan that is based on standards, evidence,
and patient needs
C. Delegating all patient teaching to the unlicensed assistive
personnel
D. Completing tasks in the order they appear on the provider’s
prescription sheet
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
Using personal judgment without referencing standards or
evidence is not the hallmark of professional practice.
Professional nursing practice requires integration of assessment
data, clinical reasoning, evidence-based standards, and patient-
centered goals. Questioning orders may be appropriate, but the
nurse should do so based on safety, scope of practice, and
evidence, not personal preference.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because professional nursing practice is
grounded in standards of care, evidence-based practice, critical
thinking, and individualized patient needs. The nurse does not
simply “do tasks”; the nurse uses clinical judgment to select
interventions, prioritize care, and evaluate outcomes. This
reflects accountability and professional autonomy.
Rationale for C:
Patient teaching is a nursing responsibility and cannot be fully
delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel. UAPs may
,reinforce simple instructions only after the nurse has assessed
the patient’s learning needs and provided teaching. Delegating
all education would compromise safety and professional
accountability.
Rationale for D:
Provider orders are not followed mechanically without
assessment or prioritization. Nursing practice requires the
nurse to interpret orders within the context of the patient’s
condition, safety, and evidence-based priorities. Task
completion alone does not represent professional nursing
practice.
Key Takeaway:
Professional nursing practice combines standards, evidence,
assessment, and clinical judgment—not task completion alone.
Question 2:
Question Type: MCQ
Question Stem:
Which statement best describes the nurse’s role as a patient
advocate?
Options:
A. The nurse replaces the patient’s decisions with expert
nursing judgment
B. The nurse protects the patient’s rights and supports
informed decision-making
C. The nurse documents only objective findings to avoid liability
, D. The nurse follows family requests even when the patient
refuses care
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
The nurse does not substitute personal judgment for the
patient’s own informed choices. Advocacy means supporting
the patient’s autonomy, not taking control away from the
patient. Nurses may recommend options, but the patient
makes decisions when capable.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because advocacy includes protecting patient
rights, ensuring informed consent, supporting access to
information, and speaking up about safety concerns. The nurse
helps the patient make choices consistent with their values and
understanding.
Rationale for C:
Objective documentation is important, but advocacy is broader
than charting. Limiting documentation to objective data does
not ensure rights are protected, and it does not address the
nurse’s responsibilities related to informed decision-making
and safety.
Rationale for D:
The patient’s wishes take precedence when the patient has
decision-making capacity. Family preferences matter, but they
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:
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is reviewing the role of the
professional nurse with a new graduate. Which action best
reflects professional nursing practice?
Options:
A. Using personal judgment to decide which physician orders to
question
,B. Following a care plan that is based on standards, evidence,
and patient needs
C. Delegating all patient teaching to the unlicensed assistive
personnel
D. Completing tasks in the order they appear on the provider’s
prescription sheet
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
Using personal judgment without referencing standards or
evidence is not the hallmark of professional practice.
Professional nursing practice requires integration of assessment
data, clinical reasoning, evidence-based standards, and patient-
centered goals. Questioning orders may be appropriate, but the
nurse should do so based on safety, scope of practice, and
evidence, not personal preference.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because professional nursing practice is
grounded in standards of care, evidence-based practice, critical
thinking, and individualized patient needs. The nurse does not
simply “do tasks”; the nurse uses clinical judgment to select
interventions, prioritize care, and evaluate outcomes. This
reflects accountability and professional autonomy.
Rationale for C:
Patient teaching is a nursing responsibility and cannot be fully
delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel. UAPs may
,reinforce simple instructions only after the nurse has assessed
the patient’s learning needs and provided teaching. Delegating
all education would compromise safety and professional
accountability.
Rationale for D:
Provider orders are not followed mechanically without
assessment or prioritization. Nursing practice requires the
nurse to interpret orders within the context of the patient’s
condition, safety, and evidence-based priorities. Task
completion alone does not represent professional nursing
practice.
Key Takeaway:
Professional nursing practice combines standards, evidence,
assessment, and clinical judgment—not task completion alone.
Question 2:
Question Type: MCQ
Question Stem:
Which statement best describes the nurse’s role as a patient
advocate?
Options:
A. The nurse replaces the patient’s decisions with expert
nursing judgment
B. The nurse protects the patient’s rights and supports
informed decision-making
C. The nurse documents only objective findings to avoid liability
, D. The nurse follows family requests even when the patient
refuses care
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
The nurse does not substitute personal judgment for the
patient’s own informed choices. Advocacy means supporting
the patient’s autonomy, not taking control away from the
patient. Nurses may recommend options, but the patient
makes decisions when capable.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because advocacy includes protecting patient
rights, ensuring informed consent, supporting access to
information, and speaking up about safety concerns. The nurse
helps the patient make choices consistent with their values and
understanding.
Rationale for C:
Objective documentation is important, but advocacy is broader
than charting. Limiting documentation to objective data does
not ensure rights are protected, and it does not address the
nurse’s responsibilities related to informed decision-making
and safety.
Rationale for D:
The patient’s wishes take precedence when the patient has
decision-making capacity. Family preferences matter, but they
