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LEMONE AND BURKE'S MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 7TH EDITION
QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
LEMONE AND BURKE'S MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 7TH EDITION
By Gerene Bauldoff, Paula Gubrud, and Margaret Carno
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING IN THE 21ST CENTURY (Chapter 1)
Questions 1–20
1. A patient is instructed on the role of diet, exercise, and medication to control
type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which core competency for healthcare professionals is
the nurse implementing?
A) Quality improvement
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Patient-centered care
D) Teamwork and collaboration
Answer: C) Patient-centered care
Rationale: Patient teaching is an example of patient-centered care. Identifying safety
hazards and measuring quality are examples of quality improvement. Using best
research when providing patient care is evidence-based practice. Collaboration
between disciplines is teamwork and collaboration.
2. The nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should the nurse see initially?
A) A client admitted with hepatitis A who has had severe diarrhea for the last 24 hours
B) A client admitted with pneumonia who has small amounts of yellow productive
sputum
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C) A client admitted with fever of unknown origin (FUO) who has been without fever for
the last 48 hours
D) A client admitted with a wound infection whose WBC is 8,500 mm³
Answer: A) Client with hepatitis A and severe diarrhea for 24 hours
Rationale: The nurse must prioritize clients who are at greatest risk for complications. A
client with hepatitis A experiencing severe diarrhea for 24 hours is at risk for dehydration
and fluid volume deficit. The other clients have stable findings.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer influenza vaccines at a mass drive-through
clinic. Which statement by a client would indicate further questioning prior to
giving the influenza vaccine?
A) "I am allergic to horse hair."
B) "I try to get my vaccine every year."
C) "I am not allergic to anything except eggs."
D) "My husband had a severe allergic reaction after he received his influenza vaccine."
Answer: C) "I am not allergic to anything except eggs."
Rationale: Influenza vaccines are grown in eggs and may contain egg protein. Clients
with a known egg allergy should be questioned further before receiving the vaccine. A
history of egg allergy is a contraindication or precaution for influenza vaccination.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of health promotion
activities. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will schedule my annual physical examination."
B) "I will continue to smoke because it helps me relax."
C) "I will eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables."
D) "I will exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week."
Answer: B) "I will continue to smoke because it helps me relax."
Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for numerous health problems. The patient's
statement indicates a need for further teaching about the health risks of smoking and
smoking cessation resources.
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5. The nurse is caring for a patient who is a member of a cultural minority group.
Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming the patient's health beliefs are the same as the nurse's
B) Asking the patient about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding healthcare
C) Ignoring cultural differences to avoid offending the patient
D) Using medical terminology without explanation
Answer: B) Asking the patient about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding
healthcare
Rationale: Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the patient's
cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Asking the patient about their preferences
demonstrates respect and facilitates patient-centered care.
6. The nurse is reviewing the core competencies for healthcare professionals.
Which competency involves using the best available evidence to guide patient
care?
A) Patient-centered care
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Quality improvement
D) Informatics
Answer: B) Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best available research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide patient care decisions.
7. A patient asks the nurse, "Why do I need to be involved in my care decisions?"
Which response by the nurse best reflects the principles of patient-centered care?
A) "Because the doctor wants you to be involved."
B) "Patient involvement is a requirement of the hospital."
C) "You are the expert on your own body and preferences."
D) "It makes the nurses' jobs easier."
Answer: C) "You are the expert on your own body and preferences."
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Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as the expert on their own body
and preferences. Involving patients in care decisions respects their autonomy and
promotes engagement in their health.
8. The nurse is using health information technology to improve patient care. Which
action demonstrates the use of informatics?
A) Documenting patient care in the electronic health record
B) Performing a physical assessment
C) Administering medications
D) Providing patient education
Answer: A) Documenting patient care in the electronic health record
Rationale: Informatics involves the use of technology to manage and communicate
health information. Documenting in the electronic health record is an example of using
informatics in nursing practice.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient who is preparing for discharge. Which action
best demonstrates the nurse's use of clinical reasoning?
A) Following the discharge checklist without deviation
B) Assessing the patient's understanding and tailoring discharge teaching accordingly
C) Providing the same discharge instructions to all patients
D) Delegating discharge teaching to the nursing assistant
Answer: B) Assessing the patient's understanding and tailoring discharge teaching
accordingly
Rationale: Clinical reasoning involves thinking critically and adapting care to meet
individual patient needs. Tailoring discharge teaching based on the patient's
understanding demonstrates clinical reasoning.
10. Which of the following is a core competency for healthcare professionals
according to the Institute of Medicine?
A) Working in silos
B) Providing patient-centered care
LEMONE AND BURKE'S MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 7TH EDITION
QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
LEMONE AND BURKE'S MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 7TH EDITION
By Gerene Bauldoff, Paula Gubrud, and Margaret Carno
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING IN THE 21ST CENTURY (Chapter 1)
Questions 1–20
1. A patient is instructed on the role of diet, exercise, and medication to control
type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which core competency for healthcare professionals is
the nurse implementing?
A) Quality improvement
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Patient-centered care
D) Teamwork and collaboration
Answer: C) Patient-centered care
Rationale: Patient teaching is an example of patient-centered care. Identifying safety
hazards and measuring quality are examples of quality improvement. Using best
research when providing patient care is evidence-based practice. Collaboration
between disciplines is teamwork and collaboration.
2. The nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should the nurse see initially?
A) A client admitted with hepatitis A who has had severe diarrhea for the last 24 hours
B) A client admitted with pneumonia who has small amounts of yellow productive
sputum
, Page 2 of 105
C) A client admitted with fever of unknown origin (FUO) who has been without fever for
the last 48 hours
D) A client admitted with a wound infection whose WBC is 8,500 mm³
Answer: A) Client with hepatitis A and severe diarrhea for 24 hours
Rationale: The nurse must prioritize clients who are at greatest risk for complications. A
client with hepatitis A experiencing severe diarrhea for 24 hours is at risk for dehydration
and fluid volume deficit. The other clients have stable findings.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer influenza vaccines at a mass drive-through
clinic. Which statement by a client would indicate further questioning prior to
giving the influenza vaccine?
A) "I am allergic to horse hair."
B) "I try to get my vaccine every year."
C) "I am not allergic to anything except eggs."
D) "My husband had a severe allergic reaction after he received his influenza vaccine."
Answer: C) "I am not allergic to anything except eggs."
Rationale: Influenza vaccines are grown in eggs and may contain egg protein. Clients
with a known egg allergy should be questioned further before receiving the vaccine. A
history of egg allergy is a contraindication or precaution for influenza vaccination.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of health promotion
activities. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will schedule my annual physical examination."
B) "I will continue to smoke because it helps me relax."
C) "I will eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables."
D) "I will exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week."
Answer: B) "I will continue to smoke because it helps me relax."
Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for numerous health problems. The patient's
statement indicates a need for further teaching about the health risks of smoking and
smoking cessation resources.
, Page 3 of 105
5. The nurse is caring for a patient who is a member of a cultural minority group.
Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming the patient's health beliefs are the same as the nurse's
B) Asking the patient about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding healthcare
C) Ignoring cultural differences to avoid offending the patient
D) Using medical terminology without explanation
Answer: B) Asking the patient about their cultural beliefs and preferences regarding
healthcare
Rationale: Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the patient's
cultural beliefs, values, and practices. Asking the patient about their preferences
demonstrates respect and facilitates patient-centered care.
6. The nurse is reviewing the core competencies for healthcare professionals.
Which competency involves using the best available evidence to guide patient
care?
A) Patient-centered care
B) Evidence-based practice
C) Quality improvement
D) Informatics
Answer: B) Evidence-based practice
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best available research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide patient care decisions.
7. A patient asks the nurse, "Why do I need to be involved in my care decisions?"
Which response by the nurse best reflects the principles of patient-centered care?
A) "Because the doctor wants you to be involved."
B) "Patient involvement is a requirement of the hospital."
C) "You are the expert on your own body and preferences."
D) "It makes the nurses' jobs easier."
Answer: C) "You are the expert on your own body and preferences."
, Page 4 of 105
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as the expert on their own body
and preferences. Involving patients in care decisions respects their autonomy and
promotes engagement in their health.
8. The nurse is using health information technology to improve patient care. Which
action demonstrates the use of informatics?
A) Documenting patient care in the electronic health record
B) Performing a physical assessment
C) Administering medications
D) Providing patient education
Answer: A) Documenting patient care in the electronic health record
Rationale: Informatics involves the use of technology to manage and communicate
health information. Documenting in the electronic health record is an example of using
informatics in nursing practice.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient who is preparing for discharge. Which action
best demonstrates the nurse's use of clinical reasoning?
A) Following the discharge checklist without deviation
B) Assessing the patient's understanding and tailoring discharge teaching accordingly
C) Providing the same discharge instructions to all patients
D) Delegating discharge teaching to the nursing assistant
Answer: B) Assessing the patient's understanding and tailoring discharge teaching
accordingly
Rationale: Clinical reasoning involves thinking critically and adapting care to meet
individual patient needs. Tailoring discharge teaching based on the patient's
understanding demonstrates clinical reasoning.
10. Which of the following is a core competency for healthcare professionals
according to the Institute of Medicine?
A) Working in silos
B) Providing patient-centered care
