Test Bank: Davis Advantage for
Understanding Medical-Surgical
Nursing, 7th Edition Questions and
Answers [graded A+]
1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical–surgical
unit. The LPN/LVN assesses the patient experiencing a low blood
glucose first. Which process was needed to make this decision?
A) Application of clinical judgment
B) Recommendation of the registered nurse (RN)
C) Understanding of what regulates blood glucose levels
D) Knowing the patient's past medical history
Answer: A
Rationale: Clinical judgment is the observed outcome of critical thinking
and decision-making. The nurse identified the patient at high risk and
decided to assess this person first based on clinical cues, not just
pathophysiology or medical history .
2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells,
"I asked 5 minutes ago for my pain medication. You're so
worthless!" Which action by the nurse demonstrates intellectual
integrity?
A) Refusing to share details of the interaction with colleagues
B) Responding that the UAP did not communicate the information
C) Refusing to provide care for the patient
D) Getting the medication without saying another word
Answer: A
Rationale: This action demonstrates intellectual integrity, as the nurse
refuses to speak poorly about a patient's behavior. Placing blame or
,allowing demeaning treatment does not reflect critical thinking
attitudes .
3. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data is considered
cues?
A) Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B) The doctor will be at the agency in 5 minutes
C) The patient has three daughters
D) The client prefers to use a bedpan rather than a commode chair
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 26 per minute is an example of a cue
that alerts the nurse to a possible problem. Cues are observable data
that indicate a patient's condition, as opposed to general information or
patient preferences .
4. Which items are a part of "generate solutions" when using the
clinical judgment process?
A) Reposition the patient
B) Leg pain is rated at an 8/10
C) Pain medication allowed the patient to sleep
D) The leg pain is caused from immobility
Answer: A
Rationale: Repositioning is an action or solution the nurse can use to
provide comfort. The "generate solutions" step involves creating
actionable plans to address patient needs .
Chapter 2: Evidence-Based Practice
5. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice (EBP). Which
step occurs first?
,A) Evaluating the outcomes
B) Formulating a clinical question
C) Searching the literature
D) Appraising the evidence
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in EBP is formulating a clinical question using
PICOT format. Searching, appraising, and evaluating occur after the
question is formed .
6. The nurse uses the PICOT format to develop a clinical question.
What does "I" represent?
A) Intervention
B) Investigation
C) Implementation
D) Indicator
Answer: A
Rationale: In PICOT format, "I" represents the Intervention or treatment
being considered for the patient population .
Chapter 3: Issues in Nursing Practice
7. A nurse administers a medication to a patient who has a
documented allergy to that medication. The patient experiences
anaphylaxis. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) Negligence
D) Malpractice
Answer: D
, Rationale: Malpractice is professional negligence. The nurse had a duty,
breached it by failing to check allergies, and harm occurred. Negligence
is the general term; malpractice applies to professionals .
8. A competent adult patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion.
The nurse should:
A) Administer the transfusion to save the patient's life
B) Contact the patient's family for consent
C) Respect the patient's decision and document refusal
D) Obtain a court order for the transfusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even if
it results in death. The nurse must respect autonomy and document the
refusal .
Chapter 5: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
9. A patient has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which assessment
finding would the nurse expect?
A) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
B) Hyperactive bowel sounds
C) Elevated blood pressure
D) Dry mucous membranes
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium <135 mEq/L) causes neurological
symptoms including confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness, and
decreased reflexes. Hyperactive bowel sounds and dry mucous
membranes are not characteristic findings .
10. A patient has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which ECG change
is most concerning?
Understanding Medical-Surgical
Nursing, 7th Edition Questions and
Answers [graded A+]
1. The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical–surgical
unit. The LPN/LVN assesses the patient experiencing a low blood
glucose first. Which process was needed to make this decision?
A) Application of clinical judgment
B) Recommendation of the registered nurse (RN)
C) Understanding of what regulates blood glucose levels
D) Knowing the patient's past medical history
Answer: A
Rationale: Clinical judgment is the observed outcome of critical thinking
and decision-making. The nurse identified the patient at high risk and
decided to assess this person first based on clinical cues, not just
pathophysiology or medical history .
2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells,
"I asked 5 minutes ago for my pain medication. You're so
worthless!" Which action by the nurse demonstrates intellectual
integrity?
A) Refusing to share details of the interaction with colleagues
B) Responding that the UAP did not communicate the information
C) Refusing to provide care for the patient
D) Getting the medication without saying another word
Answer: A
Rationale: This action demonstrates intellectual integrity, as the nurse
refuses to speak poorly about a patient's behavior. Placing blame or
,allowing demeaning treatment does not reflect critical thinking
attitudes .
3. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data is considered
cues?
A) Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B) The doctor will be at the agency in 5 minutes
C) The patient has three daughters
D) The client prefers to use a bedpan rather than a commode chair
Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 26 per minute is an example of a cue
that alerts the nurse to a possible problem. Cues are observable data
that indicate a patient's condition, as opposed to general information or
patient preferences .
4. Which items are a part of "generate solutions" when using the
clinical judgment process?
A) Reposition the patient
B) Leg pain is rated at an 8/10
C) Pain medication allowed the patient to sleep
D) The leg pain is caused from immobility
Answer: A
Rationale: Repositioning is an action or solution the nurse can use to
provide comfort. The "generate solutions" step involves creating
actionable plans to address patient needs .
Chapter 2: Evidence-Based Practice
5. A nurse is implementing evidence-based practice (EBP). Which
step occurs first?
,A) Evaluating the outcomes
B) Formulating a clinical question
C) Searching the literature
D) Appraising the evidence
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in EBP is formulating a clinical question using
PICOT format. Searching, appraising, and evaluating occur after the
question is formed .
6. The nurse uses the PICOT format to develop a clinical question.
What does "I" represent?
A) Intervention
B) Investigation
C) Implementation
D) Indicator
Answer: A
Rationale: In PICOT format, "I" represents the Intervention or treatment
being considered for the patient population .
Chapter 3: Issues in Nursing Practice
7. A nurse administers a medication to a patient who has a
documented allergy to that medication. The patient experiences
anaphylaxis. This is an example of:
A) Assault
B) Battery
C) Negligence
D) Malpractice
Answer: D
, Rationale: Malpractice is professional negligence. The nurse had a duty,
breached it by failing to check allergies, and harm occurred. Negligence
is the general term; malpractice applies to professionals .
8. A competent adult patient refuses a life-saving blood transfusion.
The nurse should:
A) Administer the transfusion to save the patient's life
B) Contact the patient's family for consent
C) Respect the patient's decision and document refusal
D) Obtain a court order for the transfusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even if
it results in death. The nurse must respect autonomy and document the
refusal .
Chapter 5: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
9. A patient has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which assessment
finding would the nurse expect?
A) Decreased deep tendon reflexes
B) Hyperactive bowel sounds
C) Elevated blood pressure
D) Dry mucous membranes
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium <135 mEq/L) causes neurological
symptoms including confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness, and
decreased reflexes. Hyperactive bowel sounds and dry mucous
membranes are not characteristic findings .
10. A patient has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which ECG change
is most concerning?
