ANSWER KEYS - DAVIS
ADVANTAGE FOR
UNDERSTANDING
MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING 7TH EDITION -
(WILLIAMS & HOPPER) -
(CHAPTER 1 - 57)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Exam
1. The LPN/LVN is caring for a group of patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient who reports a pain level of 2
B. A patient with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL
C. A patient who has just received a diagnosis of cancer
D. A patient who has a respiratory rate of 22
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This patient has a dangerously low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) and
requires immediate intervention to prevent neurological damage or loss of
consciousness. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs take
priority over psychosocial needs. Option A represents mild pain that can be addressed
shortly. Option C represents a psychosocial need (anxiety related to diagnosis) that,
,while important, is not the highest priority. Option D represents a respiratory rate that is
within the normal adult range of 12 to 20 breaths per minute .
2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells, "I asked 5
minutes ago for my pain medication. I'm going to call the CEO of the hospital if
you don't get it for me now." Which statement by the nurse demonstrates
intellectual empathy?
A. "We are short-staffed today, so it will take me longer to meet your needs."
B. "I am sorry you had to wait; I know you must be in a lot of pain."
C. "I had another patient who had severe pain, and I had to get to them first."
D. "I will get you the number for the CEO, but he is aware of how busy we are."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intellectual empathy involves the ability to understand and consider the
patient's situation and perspective. By acknowledging the wait and validating the
patient's pain, the nurse demonstrates empathy and de-escalates the situation. Option A
is defensive and does not acknowledge the patient's experience. Option C minimizes the
patient's pain by comparing it to another's. Option D does not address the patient's
emotional state or demonstrate understanding .
3. The LPN/LVN is collecting data on a patient. Which data are described as
subjective?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B. Patient report of shortness of breath
C. Coarse lung sounds bilaterally
D. Cough producing green sputum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information that only the patient can report, such as
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms. The patient's report of shortness of breath is
subjective data. Options A, C, and D are objective data because they are observable and
measurable by the nurse. A respiratory rate is measured, lung sounds are auscultated,
and sputum characteristics are observed .
4. The nurse is prioritizing care based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which need
does the nurse identify as having the highest priority?
A. Job-related stress
B. Feeling of loneliness
,C. Pain level of 9 on a 0-to-10 scale
D. Lack of confidence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs are the highest
priority. Pain is a physiological need that must be addressed before psychosocial needs.
Option A (job-related stress) falls under safety needs. Option B (loneliness) relates to
love and belonging needs. Option D (lack of confidence) relates to self-esteem needs.
All of these are lower priorities than an unaddressed physiological need such as severe
pain .
5. The LPN/LVN is reviewing a care plan for a patient who underwent abdominal
surgery 2 hours ago and has a priority nursing diagnosis of acute pain. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Teach the patient how to splint the abdomen when coughing
B. Assist the patient with early ambulation
C. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake
D. Administer hydromorphone per order as needed for pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient has a nursing diagnosis of acute pain. The priority intervention is
to address the pain directly by administering the prescribed analgesic. Splinting (Option
A), ambulation (Option B), and fluid intake (Option C) are important interventions, but
they are secondary to relieving the patient's acute pain. The patient will be more able to
participate in these activities once pain is controlled .
6. Which critical thinking trait is demonstrated when the LPN/LVN is unsure of
how to perform a dressing change and asks the RN for assistance?
A. Intellectual courage
B. Intellectual integrity
C. Intellectual humility
D. Intellectual empathy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intellectual humility is the ability to recognize the limits of one's own
knowledge and to ask for help when needed. By acknowledging uncertainty and seeking
assistance, the nurse demonstrates intellectual humility. Intellectual courage (Option A)
involves considering alternative viewpoints despite disagreement. Intellectual integrity
, (Option B) involves holding oneself to the same standards expected of others.
Intellectual empathy (Option D) involves understanding another's perspective .
7. During morning report, the LPN/LVN is assigned a group of patients. Which
patient should the LPN/LVN see first?
A. A patient scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging due to back pain
B. A patient reporting constipation and stomach cramps
C. A 2-day postsurgical patient reporting pain at a level of 6
D. A patient with pneumonia who is short of breath and anxious
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This patient is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress (shortness of breath
and anxiety), which indicates a potential compromise in airway, breathing, or circulation.
Respiratory issues take priority over other patient needs. Option A is a scheduled
procedure that does not indicate an acute problem. Option B represents a
gastrointestinal issue that, while uncomfortable, is not immediately life-threatening.
Option C represents moderate pain that requires intervention but is not as urgent as
respiratory distress .
8. The LPN/LVN asks a patient who received 2 mg of morphine IV 30 minutes ago
to rate their pain. This describes which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the step of the nursing process in which the nurse determines
whether the interventions were effective and whether the patient's goals were met.
Asking the patient to rate their pain after administering an analgesic evaluates the
effectiveness of the pain intervention. Assessment (Option A) would have occurred
before administering the medication. Planning (Option B) involves setting goals and
outcomes. Implementation (Option C) was the administration of the morphine .
9. The nurse is formulating nursing diagnoses for a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Which diagnosis is of the highest priority?
A. Activity intolerance
B. Impaired gas exchange
ADVANTAGE FOR
UNDERSTANDING
MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING 7TH EDITION -
(WILLIAMS & HOPPER) -
(CHAPTER 1 - 57)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Exam
1. The LPN/LVN is caring for a group of patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient who reports a pain level of 2
B. A patient with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL
C. A patient who has just received a diagnosis of cancer
D. A patient who has a respiratory rate of 22
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This patient has a dangerously low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) and
requires immediate intervention to prevent neurological damage or loss of
consciousness. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs take
priority over psychosocial needs. Option A represents mild pain that can be addressed
shortly. Option C represents a psychosocial need (anxiety related to diagnosis) that,
,while important, is not the highest priority. Option D represents a respiratory rate that is
within the normal adult range of 12 to 20 breaths per minute .
2. The LPN/LVN enters the room of a patient who is angry and yells, "I asked 5
minutes ago for my pain medication. I'm going to call the CEO of the hospital if
you don't get it for me now." Which statement by the nurse demonstrates
intellectual empathy?
A. "We are short-staffed today, so it will take me longer to meet your needs."
B. "I am sorry you had to wait; I know you must be in a lot of pain."
C. "I had another patient who had severe pain, and I had to get to them first."
D. "I will get you the number for the CEO, but he is aware of how busy we are."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intellectual empathy involves the ability to understand and consider the
patient's situation and perspective. By acknowledging the wait and validating the
patient's pain, the nurse demonstrates empathy and de-escalates the situation. Option A
is defensive and does not acknowledge the patient's experience. Option C minimizes the
patient's pain by comparing it to another's. Option D does not address the patient's
emotional state or demonstrate understanding .
3. The LPN/LVN is collecting data on a patient. Which data are described as
subjective?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B. Patient report of shortness of breath
C. Coarse lung sounds bilaterally
D. Cough producing green sputum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information that only the patient can report, such as
feelings, perceptions, and symptoms. The patient's report of shortness of breath is
subjective data. Options A, C, and D are objective data because they are observable and
measurable by the nurse. A respiratory rate is measured, lung sounds are auscultated,
and sputum characteristics are observed .
4. The nurse is prioritizing care based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which need
does the nurse identify as having the highest priority?
A. Job-related stress
B. Feeling of loneliness
,C. Pain level of 9 on a 0-to-10 scale
D. Lack of confidence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs are the highest
priority. Pain is a physiological need that must be addressed before psychosocial needs.
Option A (job-related stress) falls under safety needs. Option B (loneliness) relates to
love and belonging needs. Option D (lack of confidence) relates to self-esteem needs.
All of these are lower priorities than an unaddressed physiological need such as severe
pain .
5. The LPN/LVN is reviewing a care plan for a patient who underwent abdominal
surgery 2 hours ago and has a priority nursing diagnosis of acute pain. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Teach the patient how to splint the abdomen when coughing
B. Assist the patient with early ambulation
C. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake
D. Administer hydromorphone per order as needed for pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient has a nursing diagnosis of acute pain. The priority intervention is
to address the pain directly by administering the prescribed analgesic. Splinting (Option
A), ambulation (Option B), and fluid intake (Option C) are important interventions, but
they are secondary to relieving the patient's acute pain. The patient will be more able to
participate in these activities once pain is controlled .
6. Which critical thinking trait is demonstrated when the LPN/LVN is unsure of
how to perform a dressing change and asks the RN for assistance?
A. Intellectual courage
B. Intellectual integrity
C. Intellectual humility
D. Intellectual empathy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intellectual humility is the ability to recognize the limits of one's own
knowledge and to ask for help when needed. By acknowledging uncertainty and seeking
assistance, the nurse demonstrates intellectual humility. Intellectual courage (Option A)
involves considering alternative viewpoints despite disagreement. Intellectual integrity
, (Option B) involves holding oneself to the same standards expected of others.
Intellectual empathy (Option D) involves understanding another's perspective .
7. During morning report, the LPN/LVN is assigned a group of patients. Which
patient should the LPN/LVN see first?
A. A patient scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging due to back pain
B. A patient reporting constipation and stomach cramps
C. A 2-day postsurgical patient reporting pain at a level of 6
D. A patient with pneumonia who is short of breath and anxious
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This patient is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress (shortness of breath
and anxiety), which indicates a potential compromise in airway, breathing, or circulation.
Respiratory issues take priority over other patient needs. Option A is a scheduled
procedure that does not indicate an acute problem. Option B represents a
gastrointestinal issue that, while uncomfortable, is not immediately life-threatening.
Option C represents moderate pain that requires intervention but is not as urgent as
respiratory distress .
8. The LPN/LVN asks a patient who received 2 mg of morphine IV 30 minutes ago
to rate their pain. This describes which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the step of the nursing process in which the nurse determines
whether the interventions were effective and whether the patient's goals were met.
Asking the patient to rate their pain after administering an analgesic evaluates the
effectiveness of the pain intervention. Assessment (Option A) would have occurred
before administering the medication. Planning (Option B) involves setting goals and
outcomes. Implementation (Option C) was the administration of the morphine .
9. The nurse is formulating nursing diagnoses for a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Which diagnosis is of the highest priority?
A. Activity intolerance
B. Impaired gas exchange
