Test Bank for Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-
Surgical Nursing 16th Edition by Janice L. Hinkle, Kerry H.
Cheever, Kristen J. Overbaugh, and Carolyn E. Bradley
, Test Bank for Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical
Nursing 16th Edition by Janice L. Hinkle, Kerry H. Cheever, Kristen J.
Overbaugh, and Carolyn E. Bradley
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemia. Which finding is
most consistent with this condition?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Distended neck veins
C. Tachycardia and decreased urine output
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced circulating volume commonly causes tachycardia,
hypotension, poor peripheral perfusion, and oliguria.
2. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating a patient's
current serum sodium status?
A. 2.8 mEq/L
B. 140 mEq/L
C. 7.1 mg/dL
D. 5.2 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: A serum sodium concentration around 135–145 mEq/L is
generally considered normal.
3. A patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV
site. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Assess the IV site
C. Administer an analgesic
D. Flush the catheter rapidly
,Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is irritating to veins, and infiltration or phlebitis
must be assessed promptly.
4. Which ECG change is classically associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST elevation only
Answer: A
Rationale: Early hyperkalemia may produce tall, peaked T waves and
can progress to conduction abnormalities.
5. A patient has a serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L. Which finding should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, ileus, and
characteristic ECG changes such as flattened T waves and U waves.
6. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving a
blood transfusion?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fever with chills and flank pain
C. Hunger
D. Slight anxiety before the transfusion
, Answer: B
Rationale: Fever, chills, and flank or back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction, requiring immediate intervention.
7. What is the nurse's priority when an acute transfusion reaction is
suspected?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Give another unit of blood
D. Recheck the patient's weight
Answer: B
Rationale: The transfusion should be stopped immediately to prevent
additional exposure to the suspected offending blood product.
8. Which intervention best helps prevent pressure injuries in an
immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition regularly and reduce pressure
C. Keep the patient completely supine
D. Restrict protein intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning, pressure redistribution, skin
assessment, adequate nutrition, and moisture management reduce
pressure-injury risk.
9. A patient with diabetes becomes diaphoretic, shaky, and confused.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Surgical Nursing 16th Edition by Janice L. Hinkle, Kerry H.
Cheever, Kristen J. Overbaugh, and Carolyn E. Bradley
, Test Bank for Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical
Nursing 16th Edition by Janice L. Hinkle, Kerry H. Cheever, Kristen J.
Overbaugh, and Carolyn E. Bradley
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypovolemia. Which finding is
most consistent with this condition?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Distended neck veins
C. Tachycardia and decreased urine output
D. Increased blood pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced circulating volume commonly causes tachycardia,
hypotension, poor peripheral perfusion, and oliguria.
2. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating a patient's
current serum sodium status?
A. 2.8 mEq/L
B. 140 mEq/L
C. 7.1 mg/dL
D. 5.2 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: A serum sodium concentration around 135–145 mEq/L is
generally considered normal.
3. A patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV
site. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Assess the IV site
C. Administer an analgesic
D. Flush the catheter rapidly
,Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is irritating to veins, and infiltration or phlebitis
must be assessed promptly.
4. Which ECG change is classically associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. ST elevation only
Answer: A
Rationale: Early hyperkalemia may produce tall, peaked T waves and
can progress to conduction abnormalities.
5. A patient has a serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L. Which finding should
the nurse anticipate?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, ileus, and
characteristic ECG changes such as flattened T waves and U waves.
6. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving a
blood transfusion?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fever with chills and flank pain
C. Hunger
D. Slight anxiety before the transfusion
, Answer: B
Rationale: Fever, chills, and flank or back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction, requiring immediate intervention.
7. What is the nurse's priority when an acute transfusion reaction is
suspected?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Give another unit of blood
D. Recheck the patient's weight
Answer: B
Rationale: The transfusion should be stopped immediately to prevent
additional exposure to the suspected offending blood product.
8. Which intervention best helps prevent pressure injuries in an
immobile patient?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition regularly and reduce pressure
C. Keep the patient completely supine
D. Restrict protein intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning, pressure redistribution, skin
assessment, adequate nutrition, and moisture management reduce
pressure-injury risk.
9. A patient with diabetes becomes diaphoretic, shaky, and confused.
Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
