MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
BRUNNER & SUDDARTH’S MEDICAL
SURGICAL NURSING 15TH EDITION | ALL 68
CHAPTERS WITH ANSWER KEYS AT END OF
EACH CHAPTER
An elderly client with a fractured left hip is on strict bedrest. Which nursing measure is
essential to the client's nursing care?
JOYCEWWALES 1
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
A. Massage any reddened areas for at least five minutes.
B. Encourage active range of motion exercises on extremities.
C. Position the client laterally, prone, and dorsally in sequence.
D. Gently lift the client when moving into a desired position. –
Correct Answer :To avoid shearing forces when repositioning, the client should be lifted
gently across a surface (D). Reddened areas should not be massaged (A) since this may
increase the damage to already traumatized skin. To control pain and muscle spasms, active
range of motion (B) may be limited on the affected leg. The position described in (C) is
contraindicated for a client with a fractured left hip.
Correct Answer: D
The nurse is administering medications through a nasogastric tube (NGT) which is connected
to suction. After ensuring correct tube placement, what action should the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the tube for 20 minutes.
B. Flush the tube with water.
C. Administer the medications as prescribed.
D. Crush the tablets and dissolve in sterile water. –
Correct Answer :The NGT should be flushed before, after and in between each medication
administered (B). Once all medications are administered, the NGT should be clamped for 20
minutes (A). (C and D) may be implemented only after the tubing has been flushed.
JOYCEWWALES 2
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
Correct Answer: B
A client who is in hospice care complains of increasing amounts of pain. The healthcare
provider prescribes an analgesic every four hours as needed. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Give an around-the-clock schedule for administration of analgesics.
B. Administer analgesic medication as needed when the pain is severe.
C. Provide medication to keep the client sedated and unaware of stimuli.
D. Offer a medication-free period so that the client can do daily activities. –
Correct Answer :The most effective management of pain is achieved using an around-the-
clock schedule that provides analgesic medications on a regular basis (A) and in a timely
manner. Analgesics are less effective if pain persists until it is severe, so an analgesic
medication should be administered before the client's pain peaks (B). Providing comfort is a
priority for the client who is dying, but sedation that impairs the client's ability to interact and
experience the time before life ends should be minimized (C). Offering a medication-free
period allows the serum drug level to fall, which is not an effective method to manage chronic
pain (D).
Correct Answer: A
When assessing a client with wrist restraints, the nurse observes that the fingers on the right
hand are blue. What action should the nurse implement first?
A. Loosen the right wrist restraint.
B. Apply a pulse oximeter to the right hand.
JOYCEWWALES 3
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
C. Compare hand color bilaterally.
D. Palpate the right radial pulse.
- Correct Answer :The priority nursing action is to restore circulation by loosening the
restraint (A), because blue fingers (cyanosis) indicates decreased circulation. (C and D) are
also important nursing interventions, but do not have the priority of (A). Pulse oximetry (B)
measures the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen and is not indicated in situations where
the cyanosis is related to mechanical compression (the restraints).
Correct Answer: A
The nurse is assessing the nutritional status of several clients. Which client has the greatest
nutritional need for additional intake of protein?
A. A college-age track runner with a sprained ankle.
B. A lactating woman nursing her 3-day-old infant.
C. A school-aged child with Type 2 diabetes.
D. An elderly man being treated for a peptic ulcer.
- Correct Answer :A lactating woman (B) has the greatest need for additional protein intake.
(A, C, and D) are all conditions that require protein, but do not have the increased metabolic
protein demands of lactation.
Correct Answer: B
JOYCEWWALES 4
NURSING
BRUNNER & SUDDARTH’S MEDICAL
SURGICAL NURSING 15TH EDITION | ALL 68
CHAPTERS WITH ANSWER KEYS AT END OF
EACH CHAPTER
An elderly client with a fractured left hip is on strict bedrest. Which nursing measure is
essential to the client's nursing care?
JOYCEWWALES 1
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
A. Massage any reddened areas for at least five minutes.
B. Encourage active range of motion exercises on extremities.
C. Position the client laterally, prone, and dorsally in sequence.
D. Gently lift the client when moving into a desired position. –
Correct Answer :To avoid shearing forces when repositioning, the client should be lifted
gently across a surface (D). Reddened areas should not be massaged (A) since this may
increase the damage to already traumatized skin. To control pain and muscle spasms, active
range of motion (B) may be limited on the affected leg. The position described in (C) is
contraindicated for a client with a fractured left hip.
Correct Answer: D
The nurse is administering medications through a nasogastric tube (NGT) which is connected
to suction. After ensuring correct tube placement, what action should the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the tube for 20 minutes.
B. Flush the tube with water.
C. Administer the medications as prescribed.
D. Crush the tablets and dissolve in sterile water. –
Correct Answer :The NGT should be flushed before, after and in between each medication
administered (B). Once all medications are administered, the NGT should be clamped for 20
minutes (A). (C and D) may be implemented only after the tubing has been flushed.
JOYCEWWALES 2
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
Correct Answer: B
A client who is in hospice care complains of increasing amounts of pain. The healthcare
provider prescribes an analgesic every four hours as needed. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Give an around-the-clock schedule for administration of analgesics.
B. Administer analgesic medication as needed when the pain is severe.
C. Provide medication to keep the client sedated and unaware of stimuli.
D. Offer a medication-free period so that the client can do daily activities. –
Correct Answer :The most effective management of pain is achieved using an around-the-
clock schedule that provides analgesic medications on a regular basis (A) and in a timely
manner. Analgesics are less effective if pain persists until it is severe, so an analgesic
medication should be administered before the client's pain peaks (B). Providing comfort is a
priority for the client who is dying, but sedation that impairs the client's ability to interact and
experience the time before life ends should be minimized (C). Offering a medication-free
period allows the serum drug level to fall, which is not an effective method to manage chronic
pain (D).
Correct Answer: A
When assessing a client with wrist restraints, the nurse observes that the fingers on the right
hand are blue. What action should the nurse implement first?
A. Loosen the right wrist restraint.
B. Apply a pulse oximeter to the right hand.
JOYCEWWALES 3
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
C. Compare hand color bilaterally.
D. Palpate the right radial pulse.
- Correct Answer :The priority nursing action is to restore circulation by loosening the
restraint (A), because blue fingers (cyanosis) indicates decreased circulation. (C and D) are
also important nursing interventions, but do not have the priority of (A). Pulse oximetry (B)
measures the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen and is not indicated in situations where
the cyanosis is related to mechanical compression (the restraints).
Correct Answer: A
The nurse is assessing the nutritional status of several clients. Which client has the greatest
nutritional need for additional intake of protein?
A. A college-age track runner with a sprained ankle.
B. A lactating woman nursing her 3-day-old infant.
C. A school-aged child with Type 2 diabetes.
D. An elderly man being treated for a peptic ulcer.
- Correct Answer :A lactating woman (B) has the greatest need for additional protein intake.
(A, C, and D) are all conditions that require protein, but do not have the increased metabolic
protein demands of lactation.
Correct Answer: B
JOYCEWWALES 4
