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 reflects the legal purpose of nursing
documentation?
Options:
A. It provides a permanent record of the care the patient
received.
,B. It replaces the need for incident reports.
C. It should include the nurse’s personal interpretation of the
patient’s behavior.
D. It is used only when the patient’s condition changes.
Correct Answer:
A
Rationale for A:
Correct. Documentation creates a permanent, legal record of
assessment findings, interventions, patient responses, and
communication among caregivers. Accurate charting supports
continuity of care, safety, and accountability.
Rationale for B:
Incorrect. Incident reports are separate internal quality
documents used for unusual events, such as falls or medication
errors. They are not part of the legal medical record and do not
replace documentation of the actual care provided.
Rationale for C:
Incorrect. Charting should be objective and factual. Personal
opinions, labels, or assumptions can distort the record and may
create legal risk.
Rationale for D:
Incorrect. Nursing documentation should reflect ongoing care,
reassessment, teaching, and patient responses, not just
changes in condition.
,Key Takeaway:
Chart facts, interventions, and patient responses objectively
and completely.
Question 2:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
Before a scheduled procedure, the patient says, “I still have
questions about what the surgeon is going to do.” What is the
nurse’s best action?
Options:
A. Explain the procedure in detail so the patient can sign the
consent form.
B. Ask the patient to sign now and follow up with questions
later.
C. Notify the surgeon and delay the procedure until the
patient’s questions are answered.
D. Tell the patient that asking questions before surgery is
optional.
Correct Answer:
C
Rationale for A:
Incorrect. The provider performing the procedure is responsible
for explaining the procedure, benefits, risks, and alternatives.
, The nurse may reinforce teaching, but should not replace the
provider in obtaining informed consent.
Rationale for B:
Incorrect. Consent must be informed and voluntary. The
patient should not be pressured to sign before questions are
answered.
Rationale for C:
Correct. The nurse should protect the patient’s right to
informed consent by notifying the surgeon or provider and
ensuring the patient has the opportunity to ask questions
before signing or proceeding.
Rationale for D:
Incorrect. Patients have the right to full information before
consent. Questions are not optional; they are part of informed
decision-making.
Key Takeaway:
The nurse protects informed consent by stopping the process
when the patient still has unanswered questions.
Question 3:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
A nurse is searching for the most reliable source to guide a
change in wound care practice. Which source should the nurse
use first?
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 reflects the legal purpose of nursing
documentation?
Options:
A. It provides a permanent record of the care the patient
received.
,B. It replaces the need for incident reports.
C. It should include the nurse’s personal interpretation of the
patient’s behavior.
D. It is used only when the patient’s condition changes.
Correct Answer:
A
Rationale for A:
Correct. Documentation creates a permanent, legal record of
assessment findings, interventions, patient responses, and
communication among caregivers. Accurate charting supports
continuity of care, safety, and accountability.
Rationale for B:
Incorrect. Incident reports are separate internal quality
documents used for unusual events, such as falls or medication
errors. They are not part of the legal medical record and do not
replace documentation of the actual care provided.
Rationale for C:
Incorrect. Charting should be objective and factual. Personal
opinions, labels, or assumptions can distort the record and may
create legal risk.
Rationale for D:
Incorrect. Nursing documentation should reflect ongoing care,
reassessment, teaching, and patient responses, not just
changes in condition.
,Key Takeaway:
Chart facts, interventions, and patient responses objectively
and completely.
Question 2:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
Before a scheduled procedure, the patient says, “I still have
questions about what the surgeon is going to do.” What is the
nurse’s best action?
Options:
A. Explain the procedure in detail so the patient can sign the
consent form.
B. Ask the patient to sign now and follow up with questions
later.
C. Notify the surgeon and delay the procedure until the
patient’s questions are answered.
D. Tell the patient that asking questions before surgery is
optional.
Correct Answer:
C
Rationale for A:
Incorrect. The provider performing the procedure is responsible
for explaining the procedure, benefits, risks, and alternatives.
, The nurse may reinforce teaching, but should not replace the
provider in obtaining informed consent.
Rationale for B:
Incorrect. Consent must be informed and voluntary. The
patient should not be pressured to sign before questions are
answered.
Rationale for C:
Correct. The nurse should protect the patient’s right to
informed consent by notifying the surgeon or provider and
ensuring the patient has the opportunity to ask questions
before signing or proceeding.
Rationale for D:
Incorrect. Patients have the right to full information before
consent. Questions are not optional; they are part of informed
decision-making.
Key Takeaway:
The nurse protects informed consent by stopping the process
when the patient still has unanswered questions.
Question 3:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
A nurse is searching for the most reliable source to guide a
change in wound care practice. Which source should the nurse
use first?
