• Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Complete Study
Guide 2 | Exam Prep | 1,500+
Comprehensive Q-bank Questions, Detailed
Rationales, Predictor Exams, Clinical Case
Studies, Practice Questions and Answers
with Rationales| (A+ Guarantee) | PDF
P 1
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The patient received a cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) to the entire left leg. What should the nurse include in
the discharge teaching for this patient?
a. sit or lay in the position of comfort
b. wear a pressure garment for 8 hours each day
c. refer the patient to a counselor for phychosocial support
d. use the sun to increase the skin color on the healed areas –
Correct Answer :c.
In the rehabilitation phase, the patient will work toward resuming a functional role in society, but frequently
there are body image concerns and grieving for the loss of the way they looked and functioned before the burn,
so continued counseling helps the patient in this phase as well. Putting the leg in the position of comfort is more
likely to lead to contractures than to help the patient. If a pressure garment is prescribed, it is used for 24 hours
per day for as long as 12 to 18 months. Sunlight should be avoided to prevent injury, and sunscreen should
always be worn when the patient is outside.
The family of a patient with third-degree burns wants to know why the "scabs are being cut off" of the patient's
leg. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse to this family?
1. "The scabs are really old burned tissue and need to be removed to promote healing."
2. "I'll ask the doctor to come and talk with you about the treatment plan."
3. "The patient asked for the scabs to be removed."
4. "The scabs are removed to check for blood flow to the burned area." –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The patient's family is describing eschar, which is the hard crust of burned necrotic tissue. Eschar
needs to be removed to promote wound healing. Option 2 does not answer the family's question. Option 3
incorrectly restates the family's concern. Scabs are not removed to check for blood flow.
P 2
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
A patient with third-degree burns is prescribed gastrointestinal medication. The primary action of this drug is
which of the following?
1. to prevent the onset of a Curling's ulcer
2. to treat a preexisting duodenal ulcer
3. to ensure adequate peristalsis
4. for the antiemetic properties
- Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system is directly related to the size of the burn wound. This can
lead to a cessation of intestinal motility, which causes gastric distention, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis.
Stress ulcers or Curling's ulcers are acute ulcerations of the stomach or duodenum that form following the burn
injury. There is no evidence to support the presence of a preexisting duodenal ulcer. Although peristalsis is
desired, it is not the primary area of gastrointestinal concern. There is no data presented to indicate the
presence of nausea or vomiting.
A patient is coming into the emergency department with third-degree burns over 25% of his body. The nurse
should prepare which of the following solutions for intravenous infusion for this patient?
1. warmed lactated Ringer's
2. 5% dextrose in water
3. 5% dextrose in 0.45 normal saline
4. 5% dextrose in normal saline –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Warmed Ringer's lactate solution is the intravenous fluid most widely used during the first 24 hours
after a burn injury because it most closely approximates the body's extracellular fluid composition.
The nurse notes that a patient with third-degree burns is demonstrating a reduction in his serum potassium level.
The nurse realizes that this finding is consistent with which of the following?
1. the resolution of burn shock
2. the onset of burn shock
P 3
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
3. the onset of renal failure
4. the onset of liver failure –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Potassium levels are initially elevated during burn shock but will decrease after burn shock resolves as
fluid shifts back to intracellular and intravascular compartments. Reduced potassium levels are not indicators of
the onset of renal or liver failure.
A patient who is being treated with topical mafenide acetate for third-degree burns is demonstrating facial and
neck edema. The nurse realizes that this patient most likely
1. is developing a hypersensitivity to the medication.
2. is reacting positively to the medication.
3. needs an increase in dosage of the medication.
4. is not responding to the medication. –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Approximately 3%-5% of patients develop a hypersensitivity to mafenide, which can manifest as facial
edema. The manifestation of facial and neck edema is considered an adverse reaction. There is inadequate
information presented to assess response to the medication.
Following surgical debridement, a patient with third-degree burns does not bleed. The nurse realizes that this
patient
1. will need to have the procedure repeated.
2. will no longer need this procedure.
3. will need to be premedicated prior to the next procedure.
4. should have an escharotomy instead. –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
P 4
Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing Complete Study
Guide 2 | Exam Prep | 1,500+
Comprehensive Q-bank Questions, Detailed
Rationales, Predictor Exams, Clinical Case
Studies, Practice Questions and Answers
with Rationales| (A+ Guarantee) | PDF
P 1
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
The patient received a cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) to the entire left leg. What should the nurse include in
the discharge teaching for this patient?
a. sit or lay in the position of comfort
b. wear a pressure garment for 8 hours each day
c. refer the patient to a counselor for phychosocial support
d. use the sun to increase the skin color on the healed areas –
Correct Answer :c.
In the rehabilitation phase, the patient will work toward resuming a functional role in society, but frequently
there are body image concerns and grieving for the loss of the way they looked and functioned before the burn,
so continued counseling helps the patient in this phase as well. Putting the leg in the position of comfort is more
likely to lead to contractures than to help the patient. If a pressure garment is prescribed, it is used for 24 hours
per day for as long as 12 to 18 months. Sunlight should be avoided to prevent injury, and sunscreen should
always be worn when the patient is outside.
The family of a patient with third-degree burns wants to know why the "scabs are being cut off" of the patient's
leg. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse to this family?
1. "The scabs are really old burned tissue and need to be removed to promote healing."
2. "I'll ask the doctor to come and talk with you about the treatment plan."
3. "The patient asked for the scabs to be removed."
4. "The scabs are removed to check for blood flow to the burned area." –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The patient's family is describing eschar, which is the hard crust of burned necrotic tissue. Eschar
needs to be removed to promote wound healing. Option 2 does not answer the family's question. Option 3
incorrectly restates the family's concern. Scabs are not removed to check for blood flow.
P 2
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
A patient with third-degree burns is prescribed gastrointestinal medication. The primary action of this drug is
which of the following?
1. to prevent the onset of a Curling's ulcer
2. to treat a preexisting duodenal ulcer
3. to ensure adequate peristalsis
4. for the antiemetic properties
- Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system is directly related to the size of the burn wound. This can
lead to a cessation of intestinal motility, which causes gastric distention, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis.
Stress ulcers or Curling's ulcers are acute ulcerations of the stomach or duodenum that form following the burn
injury. There is no evidence to support the presence of a preexisting duodenal ulcer. Although peristalsis is
desired, it is not the primary area of gastrointestinal concern. There is no data presented to indicate the
presence of nausea or vomiting.
A patient is coming into the emergency department with third-degree burns over 25% of his body. The nurse
should prepare which of the following solutions for intravenous infusion for this patient?
1. warmed lactated Ringer's
2. 5% dextrose in water
3. 5% dextrose in 0.45 normal saline
4. 5% dextrose in normal saline –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Warmed Ringer's lactate solution is the intravenous fluid most widely used during the first 24 hours
after a burn injury because it most closely approximates the body's extracellular fluid composition.
The nurse notes that a patient with third-degree burns is demonstrating a reduction in his serum potassium level.
The nurse realizes that this finding is consistent with which of the following?
1. the resolution of burn shock
2. the onset of burn shock
P 3
, • Medical-Surgical 09/01/2026
Nursing
3. the onset of renal failure
4. the onset of liver failure –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Potassium levels are initially elevated during burn shock but will decrease after burn shock resolves as
fluid shifts back to intracellular and intravascular compartments. Reduced potassium levels are not indicators of
the onset of renal or liver failure.
A patient who is being treated with topical mafenide acetate for third-degree burns is demonstrating facial and
neck edema. The nurse realizes that this patient most likely
1. is developing a hypersensitivity to the medication.
2. is reacting positively to the medication.
3. needs an increase in dosage of the medication.
4. is not responding to the medication. –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Approximately 3%-5% of patients develop a hypersensitivity to mafenide, which can manifest as facial
edema. The manifestation of facial and neck edema is considered an adverse reaction. There is inadequate
information presented to assess response to the medication.
Following surgical debridement, a patient with third-degree burns does not bleed. The nurse realizes that this
patient
1. will need to have the procedure repeated.
2. will no longer need this procedure.
3. will need to be premedicated prior to the next procedure.
4. should have an escharotomy instead. –
Correct Answer :Correct Answer: 1
P 4
