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CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING, 2ND EDITION BY
DANIELS & NICOLL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING, 2ND EDITION BY
DANIELS & NICOLL
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM & CONTEMPORARY NURSING
(Questions 1-30)
Question 1
The nurse ensures that a client's bedspace is neat and clean with the call light within
easy reach. The nurse is focusing on which nursing theorist who realized the importance
of the environment for care?
A) Sister Callista Roy
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Martha Rogers
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Florence Nightingale's theory focused on the
environment for care. She believed that a clean, well-ventilated, and quiet environment was
essential for patient healing. Sister Callista Roy's model is based in systems theory and an
individual's ability to adapt. Dorothea Orem's model is the self-care deficit theory. Martha
Rogers' model is the science of unitary human beings.
Question 2
The nurse is instructing a client on self-administration of insulin so that the client will
not need a health care provider to do this activity. The nurse is implementing which
aspect of Virginia Henderson's theory of nursing?
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A) A caring relationship
B) Helping the client achieve independence from the nurse's assistance as quickly as possible
C) Integration of objective and subjective data
D) Application of critical thinking
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Virginia Henderson's theory of nursing is to help people
achieve health or a peaceful death so that they can be independent from the nurse's assistance
as quickly as possible. A caring relationship, integration of objective and subjective data, and
application of critical thinking are included in the American Nurses Association's essential
features of professional nursing.
Question 3
A client tells the nurse that he has an HMO for his health insurance. The nurse
understands that the purpose of this type of health plan is to:
A) Ensure payment is made to Medicare for services rendered
B) Maximize the utilization of health care resources
C) Efficiently manage costs while providing quality care
D) Focus on the illness when providing care
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were created
to efficiently manage health care costs while providing quality care. An HMO is a type of
managed care plan with the goal of providing wellness care and not focusing on the illness
during the provision of care. HMOs do not ensure payment is made to Medicare for services
rendered. HMOs also do not maximize the utilization of health care resources but rather use
financial incentives to decrease care costs.
Question 4
A client tells the nurse that he does not have a primary care physician but rather makes
an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the area in which he is experiencing a
problem. The nurse realizes this client is at risk for:
A) Fragmented care
B) Overpayment of services
C) Inability to sustain health
D) Finding an appropriate general practitioner
Rationale: The correct answer is A. In the 1980s, the close and trusting relationship between
an individual and the individual's physician waned and was replaced by acquaintances with
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specialists based upon particular health care problems. These episodes of care cause
fragmentation of care.
Question 5
The nurse is attending a master's degree program in efforts to be educationally
prepared to serve as a hospital leader. The nurse realizes that this educational
preparation will:
A) Hinder the nurse's ability to work with physicians
B) Be viewed as not supporting the profession of nursing by other nurses
C) Ensure the nurse is biased towards clinicians' interests
D) Prepare the nurse to serve as strong clinical support with the ability to integrate business
and caring
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Advanced education prepares the nurse to serve as
strong clinical support with the ability to integrate business and caring. This education will
not hinder the nurse's ability to work with physicians, will not be viewed as unsupportive to
the profession of nursing, and will ensure that the nurse is not biased towards clinicians'
interests.
Question 6
The nurse is providing care for a client who is 18 years old. Which ethical principle
should be implemented for this client?
A) Liberty
B) Agency
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A person who is at least 18 years of age and can make
reasoned choices has autonomy and is free to make decisions regarding his own health care.
Liberty is a characteristic of autonomy. Justice is an ethical principle that supports all people
seeking health care receiving the best treatment available with dignity and respect. Agency is
another characteristic of autonomy that means the capacity for intentional action.
Question 7
A client, being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for terminal cancer, decides to
stop any further treatment and enter the hospice program. The nurse realizes this
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client's decision is supported by the ethical principle of:
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Nonmaleficence is the use of ability, judgment, or skill
to help someone else without intent to cause injury or harm. In this case, nonmaleficence can
support the option of not providing further aggressive or invasive treatment that could cause
injury or harm. Autonomy is self-rule free from interference by others. Beneficence means to
be of benefit to others. Justice is a principle whereby all people who seek health care should
receive the best possible treatment available with dignity and respect.
Question 8
The nurse who bases client care actions on the principle of "greatest good" is
implementing which ethical theory?
A) Teleology
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarian
D) Justice
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Utilitarian theory (part of teleology theory) means that
the action must be of benefit to the greatest number of people affected by the action.
Teleology is the evaluation of final causes (outcomes). Deontology is about one's moral duty
and obligation and is most concerned not with the outcomes of an action but rather with the
action. Justice is an ethical principle, not a theory.
Question 9
The nurse is preparing a consent form for a client to sign before a procedure. Which
statement explains a characteristic of informed consent?
A) The client does not need autonomy to give consent
B) Minors are permitted to give consent
C) The client does not need to give consent if the situation is an emergency
D) If the client is of legal age, he or she does not need the cognitive ability to understand
Rationale: The correct answer is C. In an emergency situation in which life or limb is at risk,
the process of informed consent is waived. Minors cannot give consent unless the client is an
CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING, 2ND EDITION BY
DANIELS & NICOLL EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING, 2ND EDITION BY
DANIELS & NICOLL
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM & CONTEMPORARY NURSING
(Questions 1-30)
Question 1
The nurse ensures that a client's bedspace is neat and clean with the call light within
easy reach. The nurse is focusing on which nursing theorist who realized the importance
of the environment for care?
A) Sister Callista Roy
B) Dorothea Orem
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Martha Rogers
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Florence Nightingale's theory focused on the
environment for care. She believed that a clean, well-ventilated, and quiet environment was
essential for patient healing. Sister Callista Roy's model is based in systems theory and an
individual's ability to adapt. Dorothea Orem's model is the self-care deficit theory. Martha
Rogers' model is the science of unitary human beings.
Question 2
The nurse is instructing a client on self-administration of insulin so that the client will
not need a health care provider to do this activity. The nurse is implementing which
aspect of Virginia Henderson's theory of nursing?
, Page 2 of 78
A) A caring relationship
B) Helping the client achieve independence from the nurse's assistance as quickly as possible
C) Integration of objective and subjective data
D) Application of critical thinking
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Virginia Henderson's theory of nursing is to help people
achieve health or a peaceful death so that they can be independent from the nurse's assistance
as quickly as possible. A caring relationship, integration of objective and subjective data, and
application of critical thinking are included in the American Nurses Association's essential
features of professional nursing.
Question 3
A client tells the nurse that he has an HMO for his health insurance. The nurse
understands that the purpose of this type of health plan is to:
A) Ensure payment is made to Medicare for services rendered
B) Maximize the utilization of health care resources
C) Efficiently manage costs while providing quality care
D) Focus on the illness when providing care
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were created
to efficiently manage health care costs while providing quality care. An HMO is a type of
managed care plan with the goal of providing wellness care and not focusing on the illness
during the provision of care. HMOs do not ensure payment is made to Medicare for services
rendered. HMOs also do not maximize the utilization of health care resources but rather use
financial incentives to decrease care costs.
Question 4
A client tells the nurse that he does not have a primary care physician but rather makes
an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the area in which he is experiencing a
problem. The nurse realizes this client is at risk for:
A) Fragmented care
B) Overpayment of services
C) Inability to sustain health
D) Finding an appropriate general practitioner
Rationale: The correct answer is A. In the 1980s, the close and trusting relationship between
an individual and the individual's physician waned and was replaced by acquaintances with
, Page 3 of 78
specialists based upon particular health care problems. These episodes of care cause
fragmentation of care.
Question 5
The nurse is attending a master's degree program in efforts to be educationally
prepared to serve as a hospital leader. The nurse realizes that this educational
preparation will:
A) Hinder the nurse's ability to work with physicians
B) Be viewed as not supporting the profession of nursing by other nurses
C) Ensure the nurse is biased towards clinicians' interests
D) Prepare the nurse to serve as strong clinical support with the ability to integrate business
and caring
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Advanced education prepares the nurse to serve as
strong clinical support with the ability to integrate business and caring. This education will
not hinder the nurse's ability to work with physicians, will not be viewed as unsupportive to
the profession of nursing, and will ensure that the nurse is not biased towards clinicians'
interests.
Question 6
The nurse is providing care for a client who is 18 years old. Which ethical principle
should be implemented for this client?
A) Liberty
B) Agency
C) Justice
D) Autonomy
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A person who is at least 18 years of age and can make
reasoned choices has autonomy and is free to make decisions regarding his own health care.
Liberty is a characteristic of autonomy. Justice is an ethical principle that supports all people
seeking health care receiving the best treatment available with dignity and respect. Agency is
another characteristic of autonomy that means the capacity for intentional action.
Question 7
A client, being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for terminal cancer, decides to
stop any further treatment and enter the hospice program. The nurse realizes this
, Page 4 of 78
client's decision is supported by the ethical principle of:
A) Autonomy
B) Nonmaleficence
C) Beneficence
D) Justice
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Nonmaleficence is the use of ability, judgment, or skill
to help someone else without intent to cause injury or harm. In this case, nonmaleficence can
support the option of not providing further aggressive or invasive treatment that could cause
injury or harm. Autonomy is self-rule free from interference by others. Beneficence means to
be of benefit to others. Justice is a principle whereby all people who seek health care should
receive the best possible treatment available with dignity and respect.
Question 8
The nurse who bases client care actions on the principle of "greatest good" is
implementing which ethical theory?
A) Teleology
B) Deontology
C) Utilitarian
D) Justice
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Utilitarian theory (part of teleology theory) means that
the action must be of benefit to the greatest number of people affected by the action.
Teleology is the evaluation of final causes (outcomes). Deontology is about one's moral duty
and obligation and is most concerned not with the outcomes of an action but rather with the
action. Justice is an ethical principle, not a theory.
Question 9
The nurse is preparing a consent form for a client to sign before a procedure. Which
statement explains a characteristic of informed consent?
A) The client does not need autonomy to give consent
B) Minors are permitted to give consent
C) The client does not need to give consent if the situation is an emergency
D) If the client is of legal age, he or she does not need the cognitive ability to understand
Rationale: The correct answer is C. In an emergency situation in which life or limb is at risk,
the process of informed consent is waived. Minors cannot give consent unless the client is an
