Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-
Surgical Nursing (16th ed.)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Revision
Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice — MCQs
Q1
The primary focus of professional nursing practice is to:
A. Treat disease processes
B. Promote, maintain, and restore health
C. Assist physicians with procedures
D. Reduce health care costs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Nursing focuses holistically on health promotion,
illness prevention, and restoration of health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,Q2
Which statement best defines the patient in nursing practice?
A. A person receiving hospital care
B. An individual with a diagnosed illness
C. A consumer of nursing and health care services
D. A client dependent on nurses
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The patient is viewed as an informed consumer with
rights and active participation in care.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q3
Which factor most strongly influences an individual’s health
status?
A. Availability of hospitals
B. Genetic inheritance alone
C. Interaction of biological, social, and environmental factors
D. Use of medications
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Health results from multiple interacting
determinants, not a single factor.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,Q4
Which nursing action best reflects patient-centered care?
A. Completing tasks efficiently
B. Making decisions independently
C. Involving patients in care planning
D. Prioritizing institutional policies
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes collaboration and
respect for patient preferences.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q5
Which principle is essential to safe nursing practice?
A. Delegation without supervision
B. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines
C. Relying on personal experience
D. Performing tasks quickly
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice reduces errors and
improves patient safety.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q6
, The nurse’s legal accountability is primarily based on:
A. Employer expectations
B. Physician orders
C. Standards of nursing practice
D. Patient satisfaction
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Standards define acceptable practice and form the
basis for legal accountability.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q7
Which action demonstrates quality improvement in nursing?
A. Assigning blame after an error
B. Analyzing errors to prevent recurrence
C. Increasing documentation only
D. Reporting errors only if harm occurs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Quality improvement focuses on system analysis to
enhance patient outcomes.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q8
Which concept is central to evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Tradition
Surgical Nursing (16th ed.)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Revision
Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice — MCQs
Q1
The primary focus of professional nursing practice is to:
A. Treat disease processes
B. Promote, maintain, and restore health
C. Assist physicians with procedures
D. Reduce health care costs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Nursing focuses holistically on health promotion,
illness prevention, and restoration of health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,Q2
Which statement best defines the patient in nursing practice?
A. A person receiving hospital care
B. An individual with a diagnosed illness
C. A consumer of nursing and health care services
D. A client dependent on nurses
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The patient is viewed as an informed consumer with
rights and active participation in care.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q3
Which factor most strongly influences an individual’s health
status?
A. Availability of hospitals
B. Genetic inheritance alone
C. Interaction of biological, social, and environmental factors
D. Use of medications
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Health results from multiple interacting
determinants, not a single factor.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,Q4
Which nursing action best reflects patient-centered care?
A. Completing tasks efficiently
B. Making decisions independently
C. Involving patients in care planning
D. Prioritizing institutional policies
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care emphasizes collaboration and
respect for patient preferences.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q5
Which principle is essential to safe nursing practice?
A. Delegation without supervision
B. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines
C. Relying on personal experience
D. Performing tasks quickly
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice reduces errors and
improves patient safety.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q6
, The nurse’s legal accountability is primarily based on:
A. Employer expectations
B. Physician orders
C. Standards of nursing practice
D. Patient satisfaction
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Standards define acceptable practice and form the
basis for legal accountability.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q7
Which action demonstrates quality improvement in nursing?
A. Assigning blame after an error
B. Analyzing errors to prevent recurrence
C. Increasing documentation only
D. Reporting errors only if harm occurs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Quality improvement focuses on system analysis to
enhance patient outcomes.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
Q8
Which concept is central to evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Tradition
