DEWIT’S MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS VERIFIED GRADED A+
●● The nurse receives an order for a culture and sensitivity of a patient's
wound that is suspected to be infected. What must the nurse do when
collecting the specimen? (Select all that apply.)
1 Use aseptic technique.
2 Be sure to collect only fresh drainage from the wound.
3 Use appropriate container as directed from the lab.
4 Swab around the outside of the wound as well as within the wound.
5 Label the collection device appropriately, including the site where the
specimen was collected.
Answer: ANS 1,2,5
In order to obtain a good specimen, it is important to use aseptic
technique with the appropriate equipment, and avoid collecting old
drainage or swabbing outside of the wound. Labels should contain the
site of collection of the specimen.
●● A patient with AIDS shows symptoms of herpes simplex stomatitis,
which is a viral infection. Which drug therapy can be anticipated for this
patient?
1 Lypressin
2 Liothyroxine
,3 Acyclovir
4 Dexamethasone
Answer: ANS 3
A patient with AIDS who develops herpes simplex lesions should be
treated immediately with the antiviral acyclovir.
●● Which dietary choice should be avoided by a patient with a recent
bone marrow transplant?
1 Applesauce
2 Apple juice
3 Apple pie
4 Fresh apple
Answer: ANS 4
The patient with a transplant should avoid foods that present a higher
risk of contamination and potential infection, such as fresh vegetables
and fruits.
●● While assisting with a sterile dressing change, the nurse notices that
the physician has contaminated his left hand. Which action should you
take?
1 Hand the physician another pair of gloves.
2 Tell the physician he has contaminated his gloves.
3 Say nothing because the patient will be placed on prophylactic
antibiotics.
, 4 Report the incident to the infection control nurse.
Answer: ANS 1
The nurse should not let the physician continue the dressing change
without using sterile gloves. Telling the physician implies the physician
is negligent and presumably within hearing of the patient.
●● A patient who has been cultured positive for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the urine is being transferred from a
surgical unit. What will be required to care for this patient? (Select all
that apply.)
1 A private room
2 Respiratory precautions
3 All equipment used for patient care remain in the patient's room until
her discharge
4 A personal protective equipment (PPE) cart outside the patient's room
5 Latex-free supplies
Answer: ANS 1,4
Facilities generally observe conservative infection control precautions
for MRSA. A private room will most likely be required, at least until the
patient is responding to the prescribed antibiotic regime; PPE is
standard. MRSA is not airborne and is not in the patient's sputum
in this situation, so respiratory precautions are not necessary.
●● While reviewing the chart of an elderly patient, the nurse notes that
his temperature and pulse have been increasing over the last two shifts.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS VERIFIED GRADED A+
●● The nurse receives an order for a culture and sensitivity of a patient's
wound that is suspected to be infected. What must the nurse do when
collecting the specimen? (Select all that apply.)
1 Use aseptic technique.
2 Be sure to collect only fresh drainage from the wound.
3 Use appropriate container as directed from the lab.
4 Swab around the outside of the wound as well as within the wound.
5 Label the collection device appropriately, including the site where the
specimen was collected.
Answer: ANS 1,2,5
In order to obtain a good specimen, it is important to use aseptic
technique with the appropriate equipment, and avoid collecting old
drainage or swabbing outside of the wound. Labels should contain the
site of collection of the specimen.
●● A patient with AIDS shows symptoms of herpes simplex stomatitis,
which is a viral infection. Which drug therapy can be anticipated for this
patient?
1 Lypressin
2 Liothyroxine
,3 Acyclovir
4 Dexamethasone
Answer: ANS 3
A patient with AIDS who develops herpes simplex lesions should be
treated immediately with the antiviral acyclovir.
●● Which dietary choice should be avoided by a patient with a recent
bone marrow transplant?
1 Applesauce
2 Apple juice
3 Apple pie
4 Fresh apple
Answer: ANS 4
The patient with a transplant should avoid foods that present a higher
risk of contamination and potential infection, such as fresh vegetables
and fruits.
●● While assisting with a sterile dressing change, the nurse notices that
the physician has contaminated his left hand. Which action should you
take?
1 Hand the physician another pair of gloves.
2 Tell the physician he has contaminated his gloves.
3 Say nothing because the patient will be placed on prophylactic
antibiotics.
, 4 Report the incident to the infection control nurse.
Answer: ANS 1
The nurse should not let the physician continue the dressing change
without using sterile gloves. Telling the physician implies the physician
is negligent and presumably within hearing of the patient.
●● A patient who has been cultured positive for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the urine is being transferred from a
surgical unit. What will be required to care for this patient? (Select all
that apply.)
1 A private room
2 Respiratory precautions
3 All equipment used for patient care remain in the patient's room until
her discharge
4 A personal protective equipment (PPE) cart outside the patient's room
5 Latex-free supplies
Answer: ANS 1,4
Facilities generally observe conservative infection control precautions
for MRSA. A private room will most likely be required, at least until the
patient is responding to the prescribed antibiotic regime; PPE is
standard. MRSA is not airborne and is not in the patient's sputum
in this situation, so respiratory precautions are not necessary.
●● While reviewing the chart of an elderly patient, the nurse notes that
his temperature and pulse have been increasing over the last two shifts.
