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MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 11TH EDITION (IGNATAVICIUS)
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Edition (Ignatavicius): 250 Practice Questions
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT (25 Questions)
1. Which component of the nursing process involves the nurse's analysis of
assessment data to identify patient problems?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Diagnosis
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis phase involves analyzing and clustering assessment
data to identify patient problems and formulate nursing diagnoses .
2. The nurse is using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). Which
step involves recognizing cues and generating hypotheses?
A) Assessment
B) Analysis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Analysis
Rationale: The CJMM emphasizes recognizing cues, analyzing cues, generating
hypotheses, prioritizing hypotheses, and taking action. Analysis involves interpreting
data to identify problems .
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3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis. Which action
demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A) Following unit policies without question
B) Using clinical expertise combined with the best available research evidence
C) Relying solely on physician orders
D) Using only personal experience to guide care
Answer: B) Using clinical expertise combined with the best available research
evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating best research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient values to guide clinical decision-making .
4. A patient refuses a medication. The nurse respects the patient's decision. Which
ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Nonmaleficence
Answer: B) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare. The nurse supports the patient's informed choice .
5. QSEN competencies include which of the following?
A) Patient-centered care
B) Teamwork and collaboration
C) Evidence-based practice
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) competencies include
patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, safety, and informatics .
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6. The nurse is delegating a task to a nursing assistant. Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Administering IV medications
B) Assisting a patient with ambulation
C) Assessing a patient's lung sounds
D) Developing a patient's plan of care
Answer: B) Assisting a patient with ambulation
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is within the scope of practice for a nursing
assistant. IV medication administration, assessment, and care planning are nursing
responsibilities .
7. A patient has a DNR (do not resuscitate) order. The nurse's responsibility is to:
A) Begin CPR immediately
B) Honor the patient's wishes as documented
C) Notify the family before stopping resuscitation
D) Ignore the order if the patient is young
Answer: B) Honor the patient's wishes as documented
Rationale: The nurse must honor the patient's documented wishes regarding DNR
status. Communication with the healthcare team and family is important, but the order
must be respected .
8. The nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. What does SBAR stand for?
A) Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
B) Situation, Background, Analysis, Response
C) Summary, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
D) Situation, Briefing, Assessment, Recommendation
Answer: A) Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool that improves information
transfer between healthcare providers. It stands for Situation, Background, Assessment,
and Recommendation .
9. A patient is to receive a blood transfusion. Which action is the nurse's priority
before initiating the transfusion?
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A) Verify the patient's identity and blood compatibility with another licensed
professional
B) Check the patient's temperature
C) Administer premedication
D) Start the transfusion slowly
Answer: A) Verify the patient's identity and blood compatibility with another
licensed professional
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount. The nurse must verify the patient's identity and
blood compatibility with another licensed professional (two-nurse verification) before
starting the transfusion .
10. A nurse is providing patient education. Which principle of adult learning is most
important?
A) Lecture-based teaching is most effective
B) Patients learn best when information is relevant to their needs
C) Written materials are sufficient for all patients
D) Teaching should be done at the end of the shift
Answer: B) Patients learn best when information is relevant to their needs
Rationale: Adult learning principles emphasize that learners are motivated when they
see the relevance of the information to their personal health situation. Teaching should
be individualized .
11. The nurse is caring for a patient from a different cultural background. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming the patient shares the same beliefs as others from that culture
B) Assessing the patient's individual beliefs and preferences
C) Avoiding discussion of cultural differences
D) Applying the same care standards to all patients
Answer: B) Assessing the patient's individual beliefs and preferences
Rationale: Cultural competence involves assessing each patient's individual beliefs,
values, and preferences. Individualization is key, as cultural practices vary .
12. The nurse is implementing the "Plan" phase of the nursing process. Which
action is appropriate?
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 11TH EDITION (IGNATAVICIUS)
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Edition (Ignatavicius): 250 Practice Questions
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT (25 Questions)
1. Which component of the nursing process involves the nurse's analysis of
assessment data to identify patient problems?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Diagnosis
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis phase involves analyzing and clustering assessment
data to identify patient problems and formulate nursing diagnoses .
2. The nurse is using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). Which
step involves recognizing cues and generating hypotheses?
A) Assessment
B) Analysis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Answer: B) Analysis
Rationale: The CJMM emphasizes recognizing cues, analyzing cues, generating
hypotheses, prioritizing hypotheses, and taking action. Analysis involves interpreting
data to identify problems .
, Page 2 of 78
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new diagnosis. Which action
demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A) Following unit policies without question
B) Using clinical expertise combined with the best available research evidence
C) Relying solely on physician orders
D) Using only personal experience to guide care
Answer: B) Using clinical expertise combined with the best available research
evidence
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating best research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient values to guide clinical decision-making .
4. A patient refuses a medication. The nurse respects the patient's decision. Which
ethical principle is the nurse demonstrating?
A) Beneficence
B) Autonomy
C) Justice
D) Nonmaleficence
Answer: B) Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects the patient's right to make their own decisions about their
healthcare. The nurse supports the patient's informed choice .
5. QSEN competencies include which of the following?
A) Patient-centered care
B) Teamwork and collaboration
C) Evidence-based practice
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) competencies include
patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, safety, and informatics .
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6. The nurse is delegating a task to a nursing assistant. Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Administering IV medications
B) Assisting a patient with ambulation
C) Assessing a patient's lung sounds
D) Developing a patient's plan of care
Answer: B) Assisting a patient with ambulation
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is within the scope of practice for a nursing
assistant. IV medication administration, assessment, and care planning are nursing
responsibilities .
7. A patient has a DNR (do not resuscitate) order. The nurse's responsibility is to:
A) Begin CPR immediately
B) Honor the patient's wishes as documented
C) Notify the family before stopping resuscitation
D) Ignore the order if the patient is young
Answer: B) Honor the patient's wishes as documented
Rationale: The nurse must honor the patient's documented wishes regarding DNR
status. Communication with the healthcare team and family is important, but the order
must be respected .
8. The nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. What does SBAR stand for?
A) Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
B) Situation, Background, Analysis, Response
C) Summary, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
D) Situation, Briefing, Assessment, Recommendation
Answer: A) Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool that improves information
transfer between healthcare providers. It stands for Situation, Background, Assessment,
and Recommendation .
9. A patient is to receive a blood transfusion. Which action is the nurse's priority
before initiating the transfusion?
, Page 4 of 78
A) Verify the patient's identity and blood compatibility with another licensed
professional
B) Check the patient's temperature
C) Administer premedication
D) Start the transfusion slowly
Answer: A) Verify the patient's identity and blood compatibility with another
licensed professional
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount. The nurse must verify the patient's identity and
blood compatibility with another licensed professional (two-nurse verification) before
starting the transfusion .
10. A nurse is providing patient education. Which principle of adult learning is most
important?
A) Lecture-based teaching is most effective
B) Patients learn best when information is relevant to their needs
C) Written materials are sufficient for all patients
D) Teaching should be done at the end of the shift
Answer: B) Patients learn best when information is relevant to their needs
Rationale: Adult learning principles emphasize that learners are motivated when they
see the relevance of the information to their personal health situation. Teaching should
be individualized .
11. The nurse is caring for a patient from a different cultural background. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A) Assuming the patient shares the same beliefs as others from that culture
B) Assessing the patient's individual beliefs and preferences
C) Avoiding discussion of cultural differences
D) Applying the same care standards to all patients
Answer: B) Assessing the patient's individual beliefs and preferences
Rationale: Cultural competence involves assessing each patient's individual beliefs,
values, and preferences. Individualization is key, as cultural practices vary .
12. The nurse is implementing the "Plan" phase of the nursing process. Which
action is appropriate?
