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
The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management
of chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
JOYCEWWALES 1
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
A.Exercise bicycle.
B.Sphygmomanometer.
C.Blood glucose monitor.
D.Weekly medication box.
B
Rationale:Self-awareness is the best way for a client to manage chronic hypertension, so the
client should obtain a sphygmomanometer and learn how to monitor blood pressure daily
and maintain a record.
A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9
mmol/L). Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
A.Give 20 mEq of potassium chloride.
B.Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.
C.Arrange a consultation with the dietician.
D.Teach about the side effects of diuretics.
B
Rationale:Hypokalemia (normal 3.5 to 5 mEq/L [3.5 to 5 mmol/L]) causes changes in
myocardial irritability and ECG waveform, so it is most important for the nurse to initiate
continuous cardiac monitoring to identify ventricular ectopy or other life-threatening
dysrhythmias. After cardiac monitoring is initiated, then the potassium chloride should be
given so that the effects of potassium replacement on the cardiac rhythm can be monitored.
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which finding is most
important for the nurse to respond to first?
A.Potassium 6.0 mEq.
JOYCEWWALES 2
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
B.Daily urine output of 400 ml.
C.Peripheral neuropathy.
D.Uremic fetor.
A
Rationale:When assessing a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperkalemia (normal
serum level, 3.5 to 5.5 mEq) is a serious electrolyte disorder that can cause fatal arrhythmias,
so the elevation of the potassium level is a nursing priority.
The nurse is planning care for a client with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus that requires
insulin. Which assessment should the nurse identify before beginning the teaching session?
A.Present knowledge related to the skill of injection.
B.Intelligence and developmental level of the client.
C.Willingness of the client to learn the injection sites.
D.Financial resources available for the equipment.
C
Rationale:If a client is incapable or does not want to learn, it is unlikely that learning will occur,
so motivation is the first factor the nurse should assess before teaching.
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. Which action should
the nurse do first?
A.Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B.Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C.Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D.Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position.
D
JOYCEWWALES 3
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
Rationale:The first step in assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery is to raise
the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position, which allows venous return to compensate
from lying flat and the vasodilation effects of perioperative drugs. This helps prevent the
client from becoming light-headed and decreases the chance of a client fall.
A client who is fully awake after a gastroscopy asks the nurse for something to drink. After
confirming that liquids are allowed, which assessment action should the nurse consider a
priority?
A.Listen to bilateral lung and bowel sounds.
B.Obtain the client's pulse and blood pressure.
C.Assist the client to the bathroom to void.
D.Check the client's gag and swallow reflexes.
D
Rationale:Following gastroscopy, a client should remain nothing by mouth until the effects of
local anesthesia have dissipated and the airway's protective gag and swallow reflexes have
returned.
A male client receives a local anesthetic during surgery. During the post-operative
assessment, the nurse notices the client is slurring his speech. Which action should the nurse
take?
A.Determine the client is anxious and allow him to sleep.
B.Evaluate his blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory status.
C.Review the client's pre-operative history for alcohol abuse.
D.Continue to monitor the client for reactivity to anesthesia.
B
Rationale:Slurred speech in the post-operative client who received a local anesthetic is an
atypical finding and may indicate neurological deficits that require further assessment, so
obtaining the client's vital signs will provide information about possible cardiovascular
complications, such as stroke.
JOYCEWWALES 4
NURSING
BRUNNER & SUDDARTH’S MEDICAL-
SURGICAL NURSING 15TH EDITION | ALL 68
CHAPTERS WITH ANSWER KEYS AT END OF
EACH CHAPTER
The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management
of chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
JOYCEWWALES 1
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
A.Exercise bicycle.
B.Sphygmomanometer.
C.Blood glucose monitor.
D.Weekly medication box.
B
Rationale:Self-awareness is the best way for a client to manage chronic hypertension, so the
client should obtain a sphygmomanometer and learn how to monitor blood pressure daily
and maintain a record.
A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9
mmol/L). Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
A.Give 20 mEq of potassium chloride.
B.Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.
C.Arrange a consultation with the dietician.
D.Teach about the side effects of diuretics.
B
Rationale:Hypokalemia (normal 3.5 to 5 mEq/L [3.5 to 5 mmol/L]) causes changes in
myocardial irritability and ECG waveform, so it is most important for the nurse to initiate
continuous cardiac monitoring to identify ventricular ectopy or other life-threatening
dysrhythmias. After cardiac monitoring is initiated, then the potassium chloride should be
given so that the effects of potassium replacement on the cardiac rhythm can be monitored.
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which finding is most
important for the nurse to respond to first?
A.Potassium 6.0 mEq.
JOYCEWWALES 2
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
B.Daily urine output of 400 ml.
C.Peripheral neuropathy.
D.Uremic fetor.
A
Rationale:When assessing a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperkalemia (normal
serum level, 3.5 to 5.5 mEq) is a serious electrolyte disorder that can cause fatal arrhythmias,
so the elevation of the potassium level is a nursing priority.
The nurse is planning care for a client with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus that requires
insulin. Which assessment should the nurse identify before beginning the teaching session?
A.Present knowledge related to the skill of injection.
B.Intelligence and developmental level of the client.
C.Willingness of the client to learn the injection sites.
D.Financial resources available for the equipment.
C
Rationale:If a client is incapable or does not want to learn, it is unlikely that learning will occur,
so motivation is the first factor the nurse should assess before teaching.
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. Which action should
the nurse do first?
A.Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B.Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C.Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D.Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position.
D
JOYCEWWALES 3
, MEDICAL-SURGICAL 09/27/2026
NURSING
Rationale:The first step in assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery is to raise
the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position, which allows venous return to compensate
from lying flat and the vasodilation effects of perioperative drugs. This helps prevent the
client from becoming light-headed and decreases the chance of a client fall.
A client who is fully awake after a gastroscopy asks the nurse for something to drink. After
confirming that liquids are allowed, which assessment action should the nurse consider a
priority?
A.Listen to bilateral lung and bowel sounds.
B.Obtain the client's pulse and blood pressure.
C.Assist the client to the bathroom to void.
D.Check the client's gag and swallow reflexes.
D
Rationale:Following gastroscopy, a client should remain nothing by mouth until the effects of
local anesthesia have dissipated and the airway's protective gag and swallow reflexes have
returned.
A male client receives a local anesthetic during surgery. During the post-operative
assessment, the nurse notices the client is slurring his speech. Which action should the nurse
take?
A.Determine the client is anxious and allow him to sleep.
B.Evaluate his blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory status.
C.Review the client's pre-operative history for alcohol abuse.
D.Continue to monitor the client for reactivity to anesthesia.
B
Rationale:Slurred speech in the post-operative client who received a local anesthetic is an
atypical finding and may indicate neurological deficits that require further assessment, so
obtaining the client's vital signs will provide information about possible cardiovascular
complications, such as stroke.
JOYCEWWALES 4
