Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of
Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15th Edition
Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
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Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing
,1. A postoperative patient suddenly develops dyspnea, chest pain,
and tachycardia. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a sputum specimen
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Assess oxygen saturation and administer oxygen as indicated
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Acute respiratory compromise requires immediate
assessment and support of oxygenation.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving
opioid analgesia?
A. Nausea
B. Constipation
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild sedation
Rationale: Opioids can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.
3. Which finding most strongly suggests hypovolemia?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia with hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Reduced circulating volume commonly causes
compensatory tachycardia and decreased blood pressure.
4. Which intervention best reduces the risk of pressure injury in an
immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Restrict fluids
C. Reposition the patient regularly and relieve pressure
D. Keep the head of bed elevated continuously
Rationale: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce
tissue ischemia.
,5. A patient reports severe pain. Which assessment is most
appropriate?
A. Assume the pain is proportional to the diagnosis
B. Ask the patient to describe the pain and rate its intensity
C. Wait for objective signs
D. Ask the family to estimate the pain
Rationale: Pain is subjective and should be assessed directly from the
patient whenever possible.
6. Which laboratory value is most important when assessing renal
function?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Albumin
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a key indicator of glomerular filtration
and kidney function.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with muscle
weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities significantly affect
neuromuscular and cardiac conduction.
8. Which finding indicates adequate tissue perfusion?
A. Cool extremities
B. Delayed capillary refill
C. Warm skin and palpable peripheral pulses
D. Cyanosis
, Rationale: Warm skin and palpable pulses generally indicate
adequate peripheral circulation.
9. Which nursing action is appropriate when a patient has an
increased risk for falls?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the room dark
C. Place frequently used items within easy reach
D. Encourage the patient to walk independently
Rationale: Accessibility reduces unnecessary reaching and unassisted
movement.
10. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Pulse of 78/min
C. New onset confusion and decreased level of consciousness
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Rationale: Acute neurologic changes can indicate hypoxia, infection,
metabolic disturbance, or other emergencies.
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
11. A patient with vomiting has dry mucous membranes and
tachycardia. Which problem is most likely?
A. Fluid overload
B. Deficient fluid volume
C. Hypervolemia
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Rationale: Vomiting can cause significant fluid loss, producing
dehydration and compensatory tachycardia.
12. Which finding is characteristic of fluid volume excess?
A. Flat neck veins
Medical-Surgical Nursing, 15th Edition
Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
Foundations of Medical-Surgical Nursing
,1. A postoperative patient suddenly develops dyspnea, chest pain,
and tachycardia. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a sputum specimen
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Assess oxygen saturation and administer oxygen as indicated
D. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Acute respiratory compromise requires immediate
assessment and support of oxygenation.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving
opioid analgesia?
A. Nausea
B. Constipation
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild sedation
Rationale: Opioids can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.
3. Which finding most strongly suggests hypovolemia?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia with hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Reduced circulating volume commonly causes
compensatory tachycardia and decreased blood pressure.
4. Which intervention best reduces the risk of pressure injury in an
immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Restrict fluids
C. Reposition the patient regularly and relieve pressure
D. Keep the head of bed elevated continuously
Rationale: Regular repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce
tissue ischemia.
,5. A patient reports severe pain. Which assessment is most
appropriate?
A. Assume the pain is proportional to the diagnosis
B. Ask the patient to describe the pain and rate its intensity
C. Wait for objective signs
D. Ask the family to estimate the pain
Rationale: Pain is subjective and should be assessed directly from the
patient whenever possible.
6. Which laboratory value is most important when assessing renal
function?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Serum creatinine
D. Albumin
Rationale: Serum creatinine is a key indicator of glomerular filtration
and kidney function.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with muscle
weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities significantly affect
neuromuscular and cardiac conduction.
8. Which finding indicates adequate tissue perfusion?
A. Cool extremities
B. Delayed capillary refill
C. Warm skin and palpable peripheral pulses
D. Cyanosis
, Rationale: Warm skin and palpable pulses generally indicate
adequate peripheral circulation.
9. Which nursing action is appropriate when a patient has an
increased risk for falls?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the room dark
C. Place frequently used items within easy reach
D. Encourage the patient to walk independently
Rationale: Accessibility reduces unnecessary reaching and unassisted
movement.
10. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Pulse of 78/min
C. New onset confusion and decreased level of consciousness
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Rationale: Acute neurologic changes can indicate hypoxia, infection,
metabolic disturbance, or other emergencies.
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
11. A patient with vomiting has dry mucous membranes and
tachycardia. Which problem is most likely?
A. Fluid overload
B. Deficient fluid volume
C. Hypervolemia
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Rationale: Vomiting can cause significant fluid loss, producing
dehydration and compensatory tachycardia.
12. Which finding is characteristic of fluid volume excess?
A. Flat neck veins
