Test Bank for Lewis's Medical-
Surgical Nursing in Canada – 5th
Edition by Tyerman & Cobbett |
Verified Chapters 1–72 | Complete
A+ Resource (2026)
Course
Medical-Surgical Nursing
1. Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing
intervention in a postoperative patient?
A. Pain rating of 4/10
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C. Temperature of 37.4°C
D. Heart rate of 88 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia requiring prompt assessment and intervention to
improve oxygenation.
2. Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 140 mmol/L
B. Potassium 6.2 mmol/L
C. Calcium 9.4 mg/dL
D. Glucose 105 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia increases the risk of life-
threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and requires urgent treatment.
3. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing pressure injuries?
A. Ambulatory patient after appendectomy
B. Bedbound patient with limited mobility
C. Patient discharged from the emergency department
D. Patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility is one of the strongest risk factors for
pressure injury development.
4. A nurse identifies redness over a patient's sacrum that does not
blanch. This finding is consistent with:
A. Stage 1 pressure injury
B. Stage 2 pressure injury
C. Stage 3 pressure injury
,D. Deep tissue injury
Answer: A
Rationale: Non-blanchable erythema over intact skin defines a Stage
1 pressure injury.
5. Which intervention best reduces the risk of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Routine antibiotic use
B. Proper hand hygiene
C. Limiting fluid intake
D. Restricting visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene remains the most effective strategy for
preventing transmission of infectious organisms.
6. Which assessment finding suggests fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Peripheral edema
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration.
7. A patient has an elevated serum creatinine level. The nurse
should suspect impaired:
A. Liver function
B. Kidney function
C. Thyroid function
D. Pulmonary function
Answer: B
Rationale: Creatinine is a marker of renal function; elevated levels
suggest impaired kidney filtration.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with muscle
weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium affects skeletal and cardiac muscle
function.
9. Which patient is at highest risk for falls?
A. Young adult with influenza
B. Older adult taking antihypertensive medications
,C. Healthy adolescent
D. Middle-aged office worker
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related changes and medications that affect blood
pressure increase fall risk.
10. Which nursing action best promotes patient safety during
medication administration?
A. Administer medications quickly.
B. Verify patient identity using two identifiers.
C. Rely on room number.
D. Skip allergy verification.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers helps prevent medication
errors.
11. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Diaphoresis and confusion
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia commonly presents with sweating,
confusion, tremors, and tachycardia.
12. Which patient requires immediate assessment?
A. Pain score 3/10
B. New onset chest pain
C. Mild nausea
D. Constipation for one day
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia and
requires urgent evaluation.
13. Which intervention helps prevent venous thromboembolism in
postoperative patients?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Early ambulation
C. Fluid restriction
D. Limiting leg movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Early mobilization promotes venous return and reduces
clot formation.
14. Which assessment finding suggests infection?
A. WBC count of 15,000/mm³
, B. Heart rate of 72 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Leukocytosis is commonly associated with infection or
inflammation.
15. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest
concentration of oxygen among these options?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Answer: D
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver very high
concentrations of oxygen when used correctly.
16. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for aspiration
prevention?
A. Keep the patient flat during meals.
B. Elevate the head of the bed while eating.
C. Restrict oral hygiene.
D. Encourage rapid eating.
Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk.
17. A patient develops sudden shortness of breath after surgery.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Constipation
C. Urinary retention
D. Gastritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea after surgery may indicate pulmonary
embolism, a medical emergency.
18. Which assessment is most important before administering an
opioid analgesic?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Hair color
C. Height
D. Eye color
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids may cause respiratory depression.
Surgical Nursing in Canada – 5th
Edition by Tyerman & Cobbett |
Verified Chapters 1–72 | Complete
A+ Resource (2026)
Course
Medical-Surgical Nursing
1. Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing
intervention in a postoperative patient?
A. Pain rating of 4/10
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C. Temperature of 37.4°C
D. Heart rate of 88 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia requiring prompt assessment and intervention to
improve oxygenation.
2. Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 140 mmol/L
B. Potassium 6.2 mmol/L
C. Calcium 9.4 mg/dL
D. Glucose 105 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia increases the risk of life-
threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and requires urgent treatment.
3. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing pressure injuries?
A. Ambulatory patient after appendectomy
B. Bedbound patient with limited mobility
C. Patient discharged from the emergency department
D. Patient with seasonal allergies
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility is one of the strongest risk factors for
pressure injury development.
4. A nurse identifies redness over a patient's sacrum that does not
blanch. This finding is consistent with:
A. Stage 1 pressure injury
B. Stage 2 pressure injury
C. Stage 3 pressure injury
,D. Deep tissue injury
Answer: A
Rationale: Non-blanchable erythema over intact skin defines a Stage
1 pressure injury.
5. Which intervention best reduces the risk of healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Routine antibiotic use
B. Proper hand hygiene
C. Limiting fluid intake
D. Restricting visitors
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene remains the most effective strategy for
preventing transmission of infectious organisms.
6. Which assessment finding suggests fluid volume deficit?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Peripheral edema
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration.
7. A patient has an elevated serum creatinine level. The nurse
should suspect impaired:
A. Liver function
B. Kidney function
C. Thyroid function
D. Pulmonary function
Answer: B
Rationale: Creatinine is a marker of renal function; elevated levels
suggest impaired kidney filtration.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with muscle
weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium affects skeletal and cardiac muscle
function.
9. Which patient is at highest risk for falls?
A. Young adult with influenza
B. Older adult taking antihypertensive medications
,C. Healthy adolescent
D. Middle-aged office worker
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related changes and medications that affect blood
pressure increase fall risk.
10. Which nursing action best promotes patient safety during
medication administration?
A. Administer medications quickly.
B. Verify patient identity using two identifiers.
C. Rely on room number.
D. Skip allergy verification.
Answer: B
Rationale: Using two patient identifiers helps prevent medication
errors.
11. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Diaphoresis and confusion
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia commonly presents with sweating,
confusion, tremors, and tachycardia.
12. Which patient requires immediate assessment?
A. Pain score 3/10
B. New onset chest pain
C. Mild nausea
D. Constipation for one day
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia and
requires urgent evaluation.
13. Which intervention helps prevent venous thromboembolism in
postoperative patients?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Early ambulation
C. Fluid restriction
D. Limiting leg movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Early mobilization promotes venous return and reduces
clot formation.
14. Which assessment finding suggests infection?
A. WBC count of 15,000/mm³
, B. Heart rate of 72 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Leukocytosis is commonly associated with infection or
inflammation.
15. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest
concentration of oxygen among these options?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Venturi mask
D. Non-rebreather mask
Answer: D
Rationale: A non-rebreather mask can deliver very high
concentrations of oxygen when used correctly.
16. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for aspiration
prevention?
A. Keep the patient flat during meals.
B. Elevate the head of the bed while eating.
C. Restrict oral hygiene.
D. Encourage rapid eating.
Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk.
17. A patient develops sudden shortness of breath after surgery.
Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Constipation
C. Urinary retention
D. Gastritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea after surgery may indicate pulmonary
embolism, a medical emergency.
18. Which assessment is most important before administering an
opioid analgesic?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Hair color
C. Height
D. Eye color
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids may cause respiratory depression.
