Page 1 of 89
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING: MAKING CONNECTIONS TO
PRACTICE, 3RD EDITION -- COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. A newly licensed medical-surgical nurse is preparing to assess a patient
admitted with a new health concern. Which action best demonstrates the
competency of clinical judgment?
A. Completing all routine assessments before considering the patient’s concerns
B. Recognizing abnormal findings and determining which findings require further
evaluation
C. Asking another nurse to interpret all assessment findings
D. Documenting the patient’s history without comparing it with current findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical judgment begins with recognizing relevant information and
determining its significance for the patient. Option A delays interpretation of important
findings. Option C inappropriately transfers the nurse’s responsibility. Option D
describes documentation but not interpretation or decision-making.
, Page 2 of 89
Q2. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action
represents the assessment phase?
A. Determining whether the patient’s pain goal was achieved
B. Selecting interventions to reduce the patient’s fall risk
C. Collecting information about the patient’s symptoms, history, and current condition
D. Establishing a measurable goal for improved mobility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective data.
Option A represents evaluation. Option B represents planning and implementation.
Option D represents the planning phase.
Q3. A patient tells the nurse, “I want to understand what choices I have before we
decide what to do.” Which nursing response best demonstrates patient-centered
care?
A. “The health care provider has already determined what is necessary.”
B. “I will explain the available information and help you identify questions about your
choices.”
C. “You should choose the treatment that is most commonly used.”
D. “Your family can decide which option is best for you.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the patient’s preferences, values,
participation, and informed decision-making. Option A minimizes patient participation.
Option C substitutes common practice for individualized decision-making. Option D
transfers decision-making away from the patient without establishing that the patient
wants this.
, Page 3 of 89
Q4. A nurse is reviewing a proposed intervention for a patient. Which source
provides the strongest foundation for evidence-based nursing care?
A. A coworker’s personal experience with a similar patient
B. A social media discussion among health professionals
C. A current, critically appraised body of relevant research
D. A routine practice that has been used for many years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing integrates the best available evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences. Option A provides anecdotal experience. Option B is
not necessarily critically evaluated. Option D may reflect tradition rather than evidence.
Q5. During shift report, the nurse hears that a patient has a documented allergy
that was not included in the electronic medication record. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered and monitor for a reaction
B. Verify the allergy with the patient and update the medication record according to
facility policy
C. Ignore the discrepancy because the provider’s order takes priority
D. Ask the patient’s family member to confirm the allergy before documenting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety requires verifying allergy information directly with the patient
and correcting the record per policy before any medication is administered.
Administering without verification risks a preventable allergic reaction.
, Page 4 of 89
Q6. 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.
Q7. Which 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
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 34% of nursing executives identified knowledge of pathophysiology of patient
conditions as the largest academic practice gap.
Q8. What recommendations are made to address the academic practice gap for
new graduate nurses?
A. Mandatory number of clinical hours
B. Increased credits in all entry level courses
C. Residency programs
D. Additional science prerequisite courses
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING: MAKING CONNECTIONS TO
PRACTICE, 3RD EDITION -- COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. A newly licensed medical-surgical nurse is preparing to assess a patient
admitted with a new health concern. Which action best demonstrates the
competency of clinical judgment?
A. Completing all routine assessments before considering the patient’s concerns
B. Recognizing abnormal findings and determining which findings require further
evaluation
C. Asking another nurse to interpret all assessment findings
D. Documenting the patient’s history without comparing it with current findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical judgment begins with recognizing relevant information and
determining its significance for the patient. Option A delays interpretation of important
findings. Option C inappropriately transfers the nurse’s responsibility. Option D
describes documentation but not interpretation or decision-making.
, Page 2 of 89
Q2. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a patient. Which action
represents the assessment phase?
A. Determining whether the patient’s pain goal was achieved
B. Selecting interventions to reduce the patient’s fall risk
C. Collecting information about the patient’s symptoms, history, and current condition
D. Establishing a measurable goal for improved mobility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective data.
Option A represents evaluation. Option B represents planning and implementation.
Option D represents the planning phase.
Q3. A patient tells the nurse, “I want to understand what choices I have before we
decide what to do.” Which nursing response best demonstrates patient-centered
care?
A. “The health care provider has already determined what is necessary.”
B. “I will explain the available information and help you identify questions about your
choices.”
C. “You should choose the treatment that is most commonly used.”
D. “Your family can decide which option is best for you.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the patient’s preferences, values,
participation, and informed decision-making. Option A minimizes patient participation.
Option C substitutes common practice for individualized decision-making. Option D
transfers decision-making away from the patient without establishing that the patient
wants this.
, Page 3 of 89
Q4. A nurse is reviewing a proposed intervention for a patient. Which source
provides the strongest foundation for evidence-based nursing care?
A. A coworker’s personal experience with a similar patient
B. A social media discussion among health professionals
C. A current, critically appraised body of relevant research
D. A routine practice that has been used for many years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based nursing integrates the best available evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences. Option A provides anecdotal experience. Option B is
not necessarily critically evaluated. Option D may reflect tradition rather than evidence.
Q5. During shift report, the nurse hears that a patient has a documented allergy
that was not included in the electronic medication record. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered and monitor for a reaction
B. Verify the allergy with the patient and update the medication record according to
facility policy
C. Ignore the discrepancy because the provider’s order takes priority
D. Ask the patient’s family member to confirm the allergy before documenting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety requires verifying allergy information directly with the patient
and correcting the record per policy before any medication is administered.
Administering without verification risks a preventable allergic reaction.
, Page 4 of 89
Q6. 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.
Q7. Which 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
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 34% of nursing executives identified knowledge of pathophysiology of patient
conditions as the largest academic practice gap.
Q8. What recommendations are made to address the academic practice gap for
new graduate nurses?
A. Mandatory number of clinical hours
B. Increased credits in all entry level courses
C. Residency programs
D. Additional science prerequisite courses
