Understanding Medical-Surgical
Nursing 6th Edition – Williams &
Hopper
Description: The 6th edition of this widely used medical-surgical nursing textbook
provides comprehensive coverage of adult health nursing, organized by body systems
and nursing process. It emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and safe
patient care across acute and chronic conditions.
Keywords: medical-surgical nursing, Williams Hopper, test bank, NCLEX review, nursing
process, adult health, patient safety, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice
Unit 1: Foundations of Nursing Care
1. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data are described as
subjective?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B. Patient report of shortness of breath
C. Coarse lung sounds bilaterally
D. Cough producing green sputum
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient reports or perceives. Objective data are
observable and measurable by the nurse.
2. Which finding is the best example of objective data?
A. Patient states, "I feel anxious."
B. Patient rates pain as 7/10.
,C. Blood pressure is 148/92 mm Hg.
D. Patient reports nausea.
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Objective data are directly observed or measured by the nurse. Blood pressure
measurement is objective.
3. A respiratory rate of 28 is what type of data?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Secondary
D. Tertiary
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 is observable and measurable, making it objective data.
4. Which action demonstrates critical thinking in nursing practice?
A. Following a physician's order without question
B. Using cognitive skills to increase the probability of a desirable outcome
C. Relying on memory alone for patient care decisions
D. Avoiding questions to appear confident
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the
probability of a desirable outcome.
5. The nurse asks a colleague, "Am I missing something?" This demonstrates which
critical thinking attitude?
A. Confidence
B. Fairness
C. Humility
D. Discipline
,Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Asking questions and acknowledging limitations demonstrates humility in
critical thinking.
6. A patient with shortness of breath, headache, anxiety about children, and
knowledge deficit—which need should the nurse address first?
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Anxiety about children
C. Shortness of breath
D. Headache
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Shortness of breath is a physiological need and should be addressed first
according to Maslow's hierarchy.
7. What is the correct order of the nursing process?
A. Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: The nursing process follows the sequence: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation.
8. Which role does the LPN/LVN primarily fulfill in the nursing process?
A. Independently performing all steps
B. Implementing interventions and assisting the RN
C. Diagnosing patient problems independently
D. Evaluating outcomes without RN input
, Answer: B ✅
Rationale: The LPN/LVN implements interventions and assists the RN with other steps of
the nursing process.
9. Which patient statement indicates a specific plan to stop smoking?
A. "I know smoking is bad for me."
B. "I should probably quit someday."
C. "I will use nicotine patches starting Monday and avoid my smoking triggers."
D. "My doctor told me to quit."
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: A specific plan includes concrete actions and timelines.
10. Providing an explanation of why a nursing intervention is done promotes
which outcome?
A. Increased patient compliance
B. Decreased need for documentation
C. Faster discharge
D. Reduced nursing workload
Answer: A ✅
Rationale: Understanding the rationale for an intervention promotes patient cooperation
and compliance.
Unit 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances
11. A patient with hypokalemia is most likely to exhibit which manifestations?
A. Edema, confusion, bounding pulse
B. Shallow breathing, lethargy, nausea
Nursing 6th Edition – Williams &
Hopper
Description: The 6th edition of this widely used medical-surgical nursing textbook
provides comprehensive coverage of adult health nursing, organized by body systems
and nursing process. It emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and safe
patient care across acute and chronic conditions.
Keywords: medical-surgical nursing, Williams Hopper, test bank, NCLEX review, nursing
process, adult health, patient safety, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice
Unit 1: Foundations of Nursing Care
1. The nurse is collecting data on a patient. Which data are described as
subjective?
A. Respiratory rate of 26 per minute
B. Patient report of shortness of breath
C. Coarse lung sounds bilaterally
D. Cough producing green sputum
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient reports or perceives. Objective data are
observable and measurable by the nurse.
2. Which finding is the best example of objective data?
A. Patient states, "I feel anxious."
B. Patient rates pain as 7/10.
,C. Blood pressure is 148/92 mm Hg.
D. Patient reports nausea.
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Objective data are directly observed or measured by the nurse. Blood pressure
measurement is objective.
3. A respiratory rate of 28 is what type of data?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Secondary
D. Tertiary
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 is observable and measurable, making it objective data.
4. Which action demonstrates critical thinking in nursing practice?
A. Following a physician's order without question
B. Using cognitive skills to increase the probability of a desirable outcome
C. Relying on memory alone for patient care decisions
D. Avoiding questions to appear confident
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: Critical thinking is the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the
probability of a desirable outcome.
5. The nurse asks a colleague, "Am I missing something?" This demonstrates which
critical thinking attitude?
A. Confidence
B. Fairness
C. Humility
D. Discipline
,Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Asking questions and acknowledging limitations demonstrates humility in
critical thinking.
6. A patient with shortness of breath, headache, anxiety about children, and
knowledge deficit—which need should the nurse address first?
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Anxiety about children
C. Shortness of breath
D. Headache
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: Shortness of breath is a physiological need and should be addressed first
according to Maslow's hierarchy.
7. What is the correct order of the nursing process?
A. Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis
B. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C. Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
D. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Evaluation, Implementation
Answer: B ✅
Rationale: The nursing process follows the sequence: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation.
8. Which role does the LPN/LVN primarily fulfill in the nursing process?
A. Independently performing all steps
B. Implementing interventions and assisting the RN
C. Diagnosing patient problems independently
D. Evaluating outcomes without RN input
, Answer: B ✅
Rationale: The LPN/LVN implements interventions and assists the RN with other steps of
the nursing process.
9. Which patient statement indicates a specific plan to stop smoking?
A. "I know smoking is bad for me."
B. "I should probably quit someday."
C. "I will use nicotine patches starting Monday and avoid my smoking triggers."
D. "My doctor told me to quit."
Answer: C ✅
Rationale: A specific plan includes concrete actions and timelines.
10. Providing an explanation of why a nursing intervention is done promotes
which outcome?
A. Increased patient compliance
B. Decreased need for documentation
C. Faster discharge
D. Reduced nursing workload
Answer: A ✅
Rationale: Understanding the rationale for an intervention promotes patient cooperation
and compliance.
Unit 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances
11. A patient with hypokalemia is most likely to exhibit which manifestations?
A. Edema, confusion, bounding pulse
B. Shallow breathing, lethargy, nausea
