TEST BANK FOR MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING,
8TH EDITION
Linton & Matteson — 250 Original Practice Questions • All Chapters
Practice Edition
Important: This is an original study/practice bank aligned to the published 8th-edition chapter coverage. It does not reproduce the publisher's proprietary
instructor test bank or claim to contain verbatim actual exam questions.
Clinical Priority Flow
■ Recognize change → Assess ABCs → Stabilize immediate threats
■ Reassess response → Notify/escalate as indicated → Document accurately
Simplified Respiratory Assessment
■ Airway → Breathing pattern → Oxygenation → Lung sounds → Response to intervention
,1. A patient is being cared for in the area of nursing care plans, prioritization, safety, documentation. Which
nursing action is the priority?
■ Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
• Complete routine documentation before reassessment
• Offer a snack before obtaining focused findings
• Ask the family to decide which intervention should occur first
Correct answer: Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment and stabilization of life-threatening problems take priority over routine or nonurgent
activities.
2. Which finding in a patient with infection control, isolation, immune responses, inflammation requires the nurse
to intervene first?
■ A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
• A patient asking when the next meal will arrive
• A stable chronic symptom documented on admission
• A request for assistance with a nonurgent activity
Correct answer: A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
Rationale: A new deterioration in physiologic status may signal an emergency and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
3. The nurse is teaching a patient about sodium, potassium, calcium, fluid balance, ABGs. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
■ I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
• I should stop all prescribed therapy whenever I feel better.
• I can ignore warning symptoms if they occur only once.
• I should change medication doses on my own when symptoms change.
Correct answer: I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
Rationale: Patients should understand which changes require prompt reporting and should not independently alter
prescribed therapy.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with a complication related to oncology care, pain assessment,
hypovolemic/septic shock?
■ A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
• A stable finding that has been present for months
• A normal response documented before treatment
• A mild symptom that is improving without intervention
Correct answer: A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
Rationale: Complications are suggested by unexpected changes from baseline with objective evidence of deterioration.
5. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients with problems involving falls, pressure injury prevention, delirium,
dementia. Which patient should be assessed first?
■ The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
• The patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
• The patient requesting a blanket
• The patient whose routine medication is due later
Correct answer: The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
Rationale: Acute physiologic deterioration has priority over routine comfort, teaching, or scheduling needs.
,6. Which outcome is the best indicator that nursing care for nutrition, IV complications, perioperative nursing has
been effective?
■ The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
• The nurse completes all tasks listed on the assignment sheet
• The family states that the unit is quiet
• The patient's chart contains several narrative notes
Correct answer: The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
Rationale: Outcomes should reflect measurable improvement in the patient's condition, function, safety, or understanding.
7. Which intervention is most appropriate when caring for a patient with ostomy care, hospice, symptom
management?
■ Use an individualized plan based on assessment findings, current orders, and patient response
• Apply the same intervention to every patient regardless of findings
• Delay reassessment until the end of the shift
• Rely solely on the patient's previous admission record
Correct answer: Use an individualized plan based on assessment findings, current orders, and patient response
Rationale: Safe nursing care is individualized and adjusted according to current assessment, orders, and response.
8. Which statement by a nurse best reflects safe practice in stroke, seizures, increased ICP, spinal cord injury?
■ I will verify relevant patient information and reassess the response to care.
• I will assume the previous shift's assessment remains unchanged.
• I will skip verification when the patient looks familiar.
• I will document interventions before they are performed.
Correct answer: I will verify relevant patient information and reassess the response to care.
Rationale: Verification, reassessment, and accurate contemporaneous documentation are fundamental to safe practice.
9. A patient asks why monitoring is necessary during care related to oxygen therapy, pneumonia, COPD,
asthma, pulmonary embolism. What is the best response?
■ Monitoring helps detect changes early so treatment can be adjusted promptly.
• Monitoring is required only because every patient is at risk of an emergency.
• Monitoring replaces the need for patient assessment.
• Monitoring is mainly used to complete paperwork.
Correct answer: Monitoring helps detect changes early so treatment can be adjusted promptly.
Rationale: Monitoring supports early recognition of deterioration and allows timely modification of care.
10. Which nursing action best promotes patient safety in a situation involving anemia, transfusion reactions,
immune disorders?
■ Identify risks, use appropriate precautions, and reassess the patient's response
• Wait for a complication before applying precautions
• Delegate all safety decisions to visitors
• Document the risk without taking preventive action
Correct answer: Identify risks, use appropriate precautions, and reassess the patient's response
Rationale: Safety requires proactive identification of risks, appropriate preventive measures, and ongoing reassessment.
11. A patient is being cared for in the area of hypertension, heart failure, dysrhythmias, MI. Which nursing action
is the priority?
■ Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
, • Complete routine documentation before reassessment
• Offer a snack before obtaining focused findings
• Ask the family to decide which intervention should occur first
Correct answer: Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment and stabilization of life-threatening problems take priority over routine or nonurgent
activities.
12. Which finding in a patient with DVT, peripheral arterial/venous disease requires the nurse to intervene first?
■ A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
• A patient asking when the next meal will arrive
• A stable chronic symptom documented on admission
• A request for assistance with a nonurgent activity
Correct answer: A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
Rationale: A new deterioration in physiologic status may signal an emergency and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
13. The nurse is teaching a patient about GI bleeding, ulcers, bowel disorders, liver/pancreas. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
■ I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
• I should stop all prescribed therapy whenever I feel better.
• I can ignore warning symptoms if they occur only once.
• I should change medication doses on my own when symptoms change.
Correct answer: I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
Rationale: Patients should understand which changes require prompt reporting and should not independently alter
prescribed therapy.
14. Which assessment finding is most consistent with a complication related to AKI, CKD, UTI, urinary
obstruction?
■ A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
• A stable finding that has been present for months
• A normal response documented before treatment
• A mild symptom that is improving without intervention
Correct answer: A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
Rationale: Complications are suggested by unexpected changes from baseline with objective evidence of deterioration.
15. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients with problems involving fractures, traction, arthritis, amputations.
Which patient should be assessed first?
■ The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
• The patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
• The patient requesting a blanket
• The patient whose routine medication is due later
Correct answer: The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
Rationale: Acute physiologic deterioration has priority over routine comfort, teaching, or scheduling needs.
16. Which outcome is the best indicator that nursing care for diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid/adrenal disorders
has been effective?
■ The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
• The nurse completes all tasks listed on the assignment sheet
8TH EDITION
Linton & Matteson — 250 Original Practice Questions • All Chapters
Practice Edition
Important: This is an original study/practice bank aligned to the published 8th-edition chapter coverage. It does not reproduce the publisher's proprietary
instructor test bank or claim to contain verbatim actual exam questions.
Clinical Priority Flow
■ Recognize change → Assess ABCs → Stabilize immediate threats
■ Reassess response → Notify/escalate as indicated → Document accurately
Simplified Respiratory Assessment
■ Airway → Breathing pattern → Oxygenation → Lung sounds → Response to intervention
,1. A patient is being cared for in the area of nursing care plans, prioritization, safety, documentation. Which
nursing action is the priority?
■ Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
• Complete routine documentation before reassessment
• Offer a snack before obtaining focused findings
• Ask the family to decide which intervention should occur first
Correct answer: Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment and stabilization of life-threatening problems take priority over routine or nonurgent
activities.
2. Which finding in a patient with infection control, isolation, immune responses, inflammation requires the nurse
to intervene first?
■ A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
• A patient asking when the next meal will arrive
• A stable chronic symptom documented on admission
• A request for assistance with a nonurgent activity
Correct answer: A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
Rationale: A new deterioration in physiologic status may signal an emergency and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
3. The nurse is teaching a patient about sodium, potassium, calcium, fluid balance, ABGs. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
■ I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
• I should stop all prescribed therapy whenever I feel better.
• I can ignore warning symptoms if they occur only once.
• I should change medication doses on my own when symptoms change.
Correct answer: I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
Rationale: Patients should understand which changes require prompt reporting and should not independently alter
prescribed therapy.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with a complication related to oncology care, pain assessment,
hypovolemic/septic shock?
■ A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
• A stable finding that has been present for months
• A normal response documented before treatment
• A mild symptom that is improving without intervention
Correct answer: A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
Rationale: Complications are suggested by unexpected changes from baseline with objective evidence of deterioration.
5. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients with problems involving falls, pressure injury prevention, delirium,
dementia. Which patient should be assessed first?
■ The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
• The patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
• The patient requesting a blanket
• The patient whose routine medication is due later
Correct answer: The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
Rationale: Acute physiologic deterioration has priority over routine comfort, teaching, or scheduling needs.
,6. Which outcome is the best indicator that nursing care for nutrition, IV complications, perioperative nursing has
been effective?
■ The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
• The nurse completes all tasks listed on the assignment sheet
• The family states that the unit is quiet
• The patient's chart contains several narrative notes
Correct answer: The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
Rationale: Outcomes should reflect measurable improvement in the patient's condition, function, safety, or understanding.
7. Which intervention is most appropriate when caring for a patient with ostomy care, hospice, symptom
management?
■ Use an individualized plan based on assessment findings, current orders, and patient response
• Apply the same intervention to every patient regardless of findings
• Delay reassessment until the end of the shift
• Rely solely on the patient's previous admission record
Correct answer: Use an individualized plan based on assessment findings, current orders, and patient response
Rationale: Safe nursing care is individualized and adjusted according to current assessment, orders, and response.
8. Which statement by a nurse best reflects safe practice in stroke, seizures, increased ICP, spinal cord injury?
■ I will verify relevant patient information and reassess the response to care.
• I will assume the previous shift's assessment remains unchanged.
• I will skip verification when the patient looks familiar.
• I will document interventions before they are performed.
Correct answer: I will verify relevant patient information and reassess the response to care.
Rationale: Verification, reassessment, and accurate contemporaneous documentation are fundamental to safe practice.
9. A patient asks why monitoring is necessary during care related to oxygen therapy, pneumonia, COPD,
asthma, pulmonary embolism. What is the best response?
■ Monitoring helps detect changes early so treatment can be adjusted promptly.
• Monitoring is required only because every patient is at risk of an emergency.
• Monitoring replaces the need for patient assessment.
• Monitoring is mainly used to complete paperwork.
Correct answer: Monitoring helps detect changes early so treatment can be adjusted promptly.
Rationale: Monitoring supports early recognition of deterioration and allows timely modification of care.
10. Which nursing action best promotes patient safety in a situation involving anemia, transfusion reactions,
immune disorders?
■ Identify risks, use appropriate precautions, and reassess the patient's response
• Wait for a complication before applying precautions
• Delegate all safety decisions to visitors
• Document the risk without taking preventive action
Correct answer: Identify risks, use appropriate precautions, and reassess the patient's response
Rationale: Safety requires proactive identification of risks, appropriate preventive measures, and ongoing reassessment.
11. A patient is being cared for in the area of hypertension, heart failure, dysrhythmias, MI. Which nursing action
is the priority?
■ Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
, • Complete routine documentation before reassessment
• Offer a snack before obtaining focused findings
• Ask the family to decide which intervention should occur first
Correct answer: Assess the patient for immediate threats to airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: Immediate assessment and stabilization of life-threatening problems take priority over routine or nonurgent
activities.
12. Which finding in a patient with DVT, peripheral arterial/venous disease requires the nurse to intervene first?
■ A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
• A patient asking when the next meal will arrive
• A stable chronic symptom documented on admission
• A request for assistance with a nonurgent activity
Correct answer: A new or rapidly worsening change in vital signs or level of consciousness
Rationale: A new deterioration in physiologic status may signal an emergency and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
13. The nurse is teaching a patient about GI bleeding, ulcers, bowel disorders, liver/pancreas. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
■ I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
• I should stop all prescribed therapy whenever I feel better.
• I can ignore warning symptoms if they occur only once.
• I should change medication doses on my own when symptoms change.
Correct answer: I will report a sudden or unexpected change in my condition promptly.
Rationale: Patients should understand which changes require prompt reporting and should not independently alter
prescribed therapy.
14. Which assessment finding is most consistent with a complication related to AKI, CKD, UTI, urinary
obstruction?
■ A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
• A stable finding that has been present for months
• A normal response documented before treatment
• A mild symptom that is improving without intervention
Correct answer: A change from the patient's expected baseline accompanied by objective deterioration
Rationale: Complications are suggested by unexpected changes from baseline with objective evidence of deterioration.
15. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients with problems involving fractures, traction, arthritis, amputations.
Which patient should be assessed first?
■ The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
• The patient awaiting routine discharge teaching
• The patient requesting a blanket
• The patient whose routine medication is due later
Correct answer: The patient with the most acute change in physiologic status
Rationale: Acute physiologic deterioration has priority over routine comfort, teaching, or scheduling needs.
16. Which outcome is the best indicator that nursing care for diabetes, hypoglycemia, thyroid/adrenal disorders
has been effective?
■ The patient demonstrates the targeted physiologic or functional improvement
• The nurse completes all tasks listed on the assignment sheet
