Davis Advantage Medical-Surgical
Nursing 3rd Edition Test Bank Practice
Questions
SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS OF MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient newly admitted to the medical-surgical unit.
Which action best reflects the nurse’s role as a patient advocate?
A. Following the physician’s orders without question
B. Documenting all assessments in the patient’s chart
C. Informing the patient of all treatment options and supporting the patient’s
right to make informed decisions
D. Consulting the charge nurse before speaking with the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient advocacy is a core nursing role that involves ensuring
patients are informed of all options and supporting their autonomy in decision-
making. Nurses advocate by providing complete information, facilitating
communication, and supporting patient rights throughout the care process.
2. A nurse uses the nursing process to care for a patient. Which step involves
analyzing collected data to identify patient problems?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis step involves analyzing and interpreting
data gathered during assessment to identify actual or potential health problems.
This step forms the basis for developing individualized care plans.
,3. The nurse is reviewing the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP). Which
statement best defines EBP?
A. Using only the latest medical textbooks to guide care
B. Following institutional policies regardless of new research
C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to
make care decisions
D. Applying treatment methods that have been used for decades
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is defined as the integration of the
best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences/values when making clinical decisions. This approach improves
patient outcomes and quality of care.
4. A medical-surgical nurse is prioritizing care for multiple patients. Which patient
should be assessed first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication rated 4/10
B. A patient with a new onset oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A patient asking for assistance to the bathroom
D. A patient whose family member wants to speak to the nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which is a
life-threatening situation. Using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
framework, airway and breathing problems take the highest priority. This patient
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
5. Which competency best reflects the primary role of the medical-surgical nurse
in contemporary practice?
A. Completing routine tasks according to established schedules
B. Coordinating individualized care while applying clinical judgment
C. Delegating most direct-care responsibilities to assistive personnel
D. Following provider prescriptions without independent nursing analysis
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Medical-surgical nursing requires the nurse to integrate
assessment findings, clinical judgment, the nursing process, evidence-based
practice, safety principles, and patient preferences when coordinating care. The
nurse does not merely complete tasks or follow prescriptions; the nurse
continuously evaluates patient needs and adapts care accordingly.
6. Which action is an example of evidence-based nursing care?
A. Using a long-standing unit practice because it is familiar
B. Selecting an intervention supported by current evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences
C. Choosing the least expensive intervention regardless of effectiveness
D. Using an intervention primarily because a colleague recommends it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing care integrates the best available
evidence with clinical expertise and the patient’s values, preferences, and
circumstances. Familiarity, cost, or informal recommendations alone are
insufficient foundations for evidence-based practice.
7. Which nursing action best demonstrates patient-centered care in the medical-
surgical setting?
A. Selecting goals based primarily on the nurse’s preferred outcomes
B. Providing the same teaching plan to every patient with the same diagnosis
C. Incorporating the patient’s values and preferences into the plan of care
D. Asking family members to make decisions whenever the patient is hospitalized
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as an active
partner in care. The nurse incorporates the patient’s values, preferences,
concerns, goals, culture, and circumstances into assessment, planning,
implementation, and evaluation.
8. Which type of nursing is considered the root of all other nursing practice areas?
A. Pediatric nursing
B. Maternal-child nursing
, C. Medical-surgical nursing
D. Mental health-psychiatric nursing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medical-surgical nursing is the root of all nursing practice as
care provided here can be implemented in all other areas of nursing practice.
Pediatric nursing is focused on younger persons; maternal-child nursing focuses
on pregnant women and families; mental health-psychiatric nursing focuses on
emotional and behavioral concerns.
9. What competency did the Nursing Executive Center of the Advisory Board
identify as the greatest academic practice gap for new graduate nurses?
A. Knowledge of pharmacology
B. Interpretation of assessment data
C. Knowledge of pathophysiology
D. Decision making based on the nursing process
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 34% of nursing executives identified knowledge of
pathophysiology of patient conditions as the largest academic practice gap. 28%
identified knowledge of pharmacological implications, 18% identified
interpretation of assessment data, and 20% identified decision making based on
the nursing process.
10. A nursing student asks why clinical judgment is emphasized in medical-surgical
nursing. Which response by the instructor is most appropriate?
A. “Clinical judgment allows nurses to replace the provider’s diagnostic process.”
B. “Clinical judgment primarily involves memorizing common disease
manifestations.”
C. “Clinical judgment helps nurses interpret patient information and determine
appropriate actions.”
D. “Clinical judgment is mainly used when a patient refuses treatment.”
Correct Answer: C
Nursing 3rd Edition Test Bank Practice
Questions
SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS OF MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
1. A nurse is caring for a patient newly admitted to the medical-surgical unit.
Which action best reflects the nurse’s role as a patient advocate?
A. Following the physician’s orders without question
B. Documenting all assessments in the patient’s chart
C. Informing the patient of all treatment options and supporting the patient’s
right to make informed decisions
D. Consulting the charge nurse before speaking with the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient advocacy is a core nursing role that involves ensuring
patients are informed of all options and supporting their autonomy in decision-
making. Nurses advocate by providing complete information, facilitating
communication, and supporting patient rights throughout the care process.
2. A nurse uses the nursing process to care for a patient. Which step involves
analyzing collected data to identify patient problems?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis step involves analyzing and interpreting
data gathered during assessment to identify actual or potential health problems.
This step forms the basis for developing individualized care plans.
,3. The nurse is reviewing the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP). Which
statement best defines EBP?
A. Using only the latest medical textbooks to guide care
B. Following institutional policies regardless of new research
C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to
make care decisions
D. Applying treatment methods that have been used for decades
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is defined as the integration of the
best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient
preferences/values when making clinical decisions. This approach improves
patient outcomes and quality of care.
4. A medical-surgical nurse is prioritizing care for multiple patients. Which patient
should be assessed first?
A. A patient requesting pain medication rated 4/10
B. A patient with a new onset oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A patient asking for assistance to the bathroom
D. A patient whose family member wants to speak to the nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which is a
life-threatening situation. Using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
framework, airway and breathing problems take the highest priority. This patient
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
5. Which competency best reflects the primary role of the medical-surgical nurse
in contemporary practice?
A. Completing routine tasks according to established schedules
B. Coordinating individualized care while applying clinical judgment
C. Delegating most direct-care responsibilities to assistive personnel
D. Following provider prescriptions without independent nursing analysis
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Medical-surgical nursing requires the nurse to integrate
assessment findings, clinical judgment, the nursing process, evidence-based
practice, safety principles, and patient preferences when coordinating care. The
nurse does not merely complete tasks or follow prescriptions; the nurse
continuously evaluates patient needs and adapts care accordingly.
6. Which action is an example of evidence-based nursing care?
A. Using a long-standing unit practice because it is familiar
B. Selecting an intervention supported by current evidence, clinical expertise, and
patient preferences
C. Choosing the least expensive intervention regardless of effectiveness
D. Using an intervention primarily because a colleague recommends it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing care integrates the best available
evidence with clinical expertise and the patient’s values, preferences, and
circumstances. Familiarity, cost, or informal recommendations alone are
insufficient foundations for evidence-based practice.
7. Which nursing action best demonstrates patient-centered care in the medical-
surgical setting?
A. Selecting goals based primarily on the nurse’s preferred outcomes
B. Providing the same teaching plan to every patient with the same diagnosis
C. Incorporating the patient’s values and preferences into the plan of care
D. Asking family members to make decisions whenever the patient is hospitalized
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as an active
partner in care. The nurse incorporates the patient’s values, preferences,
concerns, goals, culture, and circumstances into assessment, planning,
implementation, and evaluation.
8. Which type of nursing is considered the root of all other nursing practice areas?
A. Pediatric nursing
B. Maternal-child nursing
, C. Medical-surgical nursing
D. Mental health-psychiatric nursing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medical-surgical nursing is the root of all nursing practice as
care provided here can be implemented in all other areas of nursing practice.
Pediatric nursing is focused on younger persons; maternal-child nursing focuses
on pregnant women and families; mental health-psychiatric nursing focuses on
emotional and behavioral concerns.
9. What competency did the Nursing Executive Center of the Advisory Board
identify as the greatest academic practice gap for new graduate nurses?
A. Knowledge of pharmacology
B. Interpretation of assessment data
C. Knowledge of pathophysiology
D. Decision making based on the nursing process
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 34% of nursing executives identified knowledge of
pathophysiology of patient conditions as the largest academic practice gap. 28%
identified knowledge of pharmacological implications, 18% identified
interpretation of assessment data, and 20% identified decision making based on
the nursing process.
10. A nursing student asks why clinical judgment is emphasized in medical-surgical
nursing. Which response by the instructor is most appropriate?
A. “Clinical judgment allows nurses to replace the provider’s diagnostic process.”
B. “Clinical judgment primarily involves memorizing common disease
manifestations.”
C. “Clinical judgment helps nurses interpret patient information and determine
appropriate actions.”
D. “Clinical judgment is mainly used when a patient refuses treatment.”
Correct Answer: C
