Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of
Medical-Surgical Nursing
16th Edition
• Author(s)Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H.
Cheever; Kristen J. Overbaugh; Carolyn
E. Bradley
ISBN: 9781975221133
Question 1:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is explaining the meaning of
nursing as a profession. Which statement best reflects
professional nursing practice?
Options:
,A. “Nursing is primarily a task-oriented job that focuses on
completing provider orders.”
B. “Nursing combines scientific knowledge, clinical judgment,
and advocacy to meet patient needs.”
C. “Nursing is mainly based on personal compassion and life
experience.”
D. “Nursing care is independent of standards because each
patient is unique.”
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
This statement is incorrect because professional nursing is not
limited to carrying out orders. Nurses use clinical reasoning,
assessment, communication, and independent judgment within
their scope of practice. Task completion is only one part of care,
not the defining feature of the profession.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because nursing practice integrates science,
critical thinking, ethics, communication, and advocacy.
Professional nursing uses evidence-based knowledge and
clinical judgment to promote health, prevent illness, and
support patient-centered outcomes.
Rationale for C:
This is incorrect because compassion is important, but it is not
enough by itself. Professional nursing requires formal
education, licensure, accountability, and the application of
,evidence-based practice, not only good intentions or personal
experience.
Rationale for D:
This is incorrect because all nursing care must follow
professional standards, policies, and evidence-based practice.
Individualized care is important, but it must still be grounded in
safety, ethics, and quality measures.
Key Takeaway:
Professional nursing blends compassion with science,
accountability, and clinical judgment.
Question 2:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
Which action best demonstrates the nurse’s role as a patient
advocate?
Options:
A. Reassuring the patient that the provider’s plan should always
be followed without question
B. Supporting the patient’s informed decision after providing
clear information about options
C. Asking the family to decide what the patient should do
because the patient is anxious
D. Delaying questions until discharge teaching to avoid
overwhelming the patient
, Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
This is incorrect because advocacy includes helping the patient
understand choices, not blindly accepting plans without
discussion. Nurses should respect the patient’s autonomy and
support informed decision-making.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because advocacy means protecting the patient’s
rights, promoting informed consent, and supporting the
patient’s values and preferences. The nurse provides
information, clarifies concerns, and helps the patient make an
informed decision.
Rationale for C:
This is incorrect because the patient is the decision-maker
unless they lack capacity or have legally delegated decision-
making authority. Family input may help, but it does not
replace the patient’s rights.
Rationale for D:
This is incorrect because patient questions should be addressed
when they arise. Timely teaching supports understanding,
reduces anxiety, and strengthens shared decision-making.
Key Takeaway:
Advocacy means helping patients understand choices and
protecting their rights.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
16th Edition
• Author(s)Janice L. Hinkle; Kerry H.
Cheever; Kristen J. Overbaugh; Carolyn
E. Bradley
ISBN: 9781975221133
Question 1:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is explaining the meaning of
nursing as a profession. Which statement best reflects
professional nursing practice?
Options:
,A. “Nursing is primarily a task-oriented job that focuses on
completing provider orders.”
B. “Nursing combines scientific knowledge, clinical judgment,
and advocacy to meet patient needs.”
C. “Nursing is mainly based on personal compassion and life
experience.”
D. “Nursing care is independent of standards because each
patient is unique.”
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
This statement is incorrect because professional nursing is not
limited to carrying out orders. Nurses use clinical reasoning,
assessment, communication, and independent judgment within
their scope of practice. Task completion is only one part of care,
not the defining feature of the profession.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because nursing practice integrates science,
critical thinking, ethics, communication, and advocacy.
Professional nursing uses evidence-based knowledge and
clinical judgment to promote health, prevent illness, and
support patient-centered outcomes.
Rationale for C:
This is incorrect because compassion is important, but it is not
enough by itself. Professional nursing requires formal
education, licensure, accountability, and the application of
,evidence-based practice, not only good intentions or personal
experience.
Rationale for D:
This is incorrect because all nursing care must follow
professional standards, policies, and evidence-based practice.
Individualized care is important, but it must still be grounded in
safety, ethics, and quality measures.
Key Takeaway:
Professional nursing blends compassion with science,
accountability, and clinical judgment.
Question 2:
Question Type:
MCQ
Question Stem:
Which action best demonstrates the nurse’s role as a patient
advocate?
Options:
A. Reassuring the patient that the provider’s plan should always
be followed without question
B. Supporting the patient’s informed decision after providing
clear information about options
C. Asking the family to decide what the patient should do
because the patient is anxious
D. Delaying questions until discharge teaching to avoid
overwhelming the patient
, Correct Answer:
B
Rationale for A:
This is incorrect because advocacy includes helping the patient
understand choices, not blindly accepting plans without
discussion. Nurses should respect the patient’s autonomy and
support informed decision-making.
Rationale for B:
This is correct because advocacy means protecting the patient’s
rights, promoting informed consent, and supporting the
patient’s values and preferences. The nurse provides
information, clarifies concerns, and helps the patient make an
informed decision.
Rationale for C:
This is incorrect because the patient is the decision-maker
unless they lack capacity or have legally delegated decision-
making authority. Family input may help, but it does not
replace the patient’s rights.
Rationale for D:
This is incorrect because patient questions should be addressed
when they arise. Timely teaching supports understanding,
reduces anxiety, and strengthens shared decision-making.
Key Takeaway:
Advocacy means helping patients understand choices and
protecting their rights.
