Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional
Collaborative Care (11th Ed.) — Unit I (Ch. 1–9).
Medical-Surgical Nursing
11th Edition
• Author(s)Donna D. Ignatavicius; Cherie R. Rebar; Nicole M.
Heimgartner
Reference: Ch. 1: Scope of Professional Nursing Concepts —
Professional Roles & Interprofessional Collaboration
Question Stem: A 62-year-old postoperative patient develops
mild respiratory distress on the med-surg unit. The charge nurse
asks you to notify the respiratory therapist (RT). Which nursing
action best demonstrates effective interprofessional
collaboration before contacting the RT?
A. Document the patient's oxygen saturation trend and call the
RT.
B. Start supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and then call the
RT.
C. Assess respiratory rate, work of breathing, and recent vital
sign trends, then call the RT.
,D. Ask nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to recheck the oxygen
saturation and report back.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): A focused assessment (respiratory rate, work
of breathing, trends) provides relevant clinical data to the
RT and supports timely, collaborative decision-making. This
aligns with professional role responsibilities and handoff
communication.
• A: Documentation alone without current assessment may
delay identification of clinical deterioration; collaboration
requires current data.
• B: Starting oxygen might be appropriate but doing an
assessment first ensures oxygen is indicated and
documents baseline before interventions.
• D: Delegating reassessment to NAP delays a timely
professional assessment and may omit nuanced clinical
details needed by the RT.
Teaching Point: Gather focused assessment data before
contacting other disciplines.
Citation: Ignatavicius, Rebar, & Heimgartner, 11th Ed., Ch. 1:
Professional Roles & Interprofessional Collaboration.
(Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 1)
,2
Reference: Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment and Systems Thinking —
Clinical Judgment Model & Prioritization
Question Stem: A nurse cares for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse assess first using clinical judgment (priority
based on immediate risk)?
A. Postoperative hip replacement with controlled pain and
stable vitals.
B. Diabetic patient with new onset confusion and a blood
glucose of 48 mg/dL.
C. Heart failure patient scheduled for discharge with education
pending.
D. Patient with chronic back pain requesting a PRN opioid.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Hypoglycemia (glucose 48 mg/dL) with new
confusion is an immediate life-threatening problem that
requires urgent assessment and intervention (safety
priority).
• A: Stable postoperative pain is important but not as time-
sensitive as hypoglycemia with altered mental status.
• C: Discharge teaching is important but can be delegated or
deferred after addressing immediate safety issues.
, • D: Pain management is important but not an immediate
threat compared to acute hypoglycemia.
Teaching Point: Immediate physiologic threats
(airway/breathing/circulation, severe hypoglycemia) take
precedence.
Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 11th Ed., Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment &
Prioritization. (Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 2)
3
Reference: Ch. 3: Health Concepts — Infection Prevention &
Transmission-based Precautions
Question Stem: A patient admitted with suspected C. difficile
diarrhea requires contact precautions. Which action by the
nurse best reduces transmission risk when caring for this
patient?
A. Use standard surgical mask during care.
B. Wear a gown and gloves and wash hands with soap and
water after care.
C. Use alcohol-based hand rub after patient contact.
D. Place the patient in a negative-pressure room.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol rub;
soap and water handwashing plus gown and gloves for
Collaborative Care (11th Ed.) — Unit I (Ch. 1–9).
Medical-Surgical Nursing
11th Edition
• Author(s)Donna D. Ignatavicius; Cherie R. Rebar; Nicole M.
Heimgartner
Reference: Ch. 1: Scope of Professional Nursing Concepts —
Professional Roles & Interprofessional Collaboration
Question Stem: A 62-year-old postoperative patient develops
mild respiratory distress on the med-surg unit. The charge nurse
asks you to notify the respiratory therapist (RT). Which nursing
action best demonstrates effective interprofessional
collaboration before contacting the RT?
A. Document the patient's oxygen saturation trend and call the
RT.
B. Start supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and then call the
RT.
C. Assess respiratory rate, work of breathing, and recent vital
sign trends, then call the RT.
,D. Ask nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to recheck the oxygen
saturation and report back.
Correct Answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): A focused assessment (respiratory rate, work
of breathing, trends) provides relevant clinical data to the
RT and supports timely, collaborative decision-making. This
aligns with professional role responsibilities and handoff
communication.
• A: Documentation alone without current assessment may
delay identification of clinical deterioration; collaboration
requires current data.
• B: Starting oxygen might be appropriate but doing an
assessment first ensures oxygen is indicated and
documents baseline before interventions.
• D: Delegating reassessment to NAP delays a timely
professional assessment and may omit nuanced clinical
details needed by the RT.
Teaching Point: Gather focused assessment data before
contacting other disciplines.
Citation: Ignatavicius, Rebar, & Heimgartner, 11th Ed., Ch. 1:
Professional Roles & Interprofessional Collaboration.
(Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 1)
,2
Reference: Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment and Systems Thinking —
Clinical Judgment Model & Prioritization
Question Stem: A nurse cares for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse assess first using clinical judgment (priority
based on immediate risk)?
A. Postoperative hip replacement with controlled pain and
stable vitals.
B. Diabetic patient with new onset confusion and a blood
glucose of 48 mg/dL.
C. Heart failure patient scheduled for discharge with education
pending.
D. Patient with chronic back pain requesting a PRN opioid.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Hypoglycemia (glucose 48 mg/dL) with new
confusion is an immediate life-threatening problem that
requires urgent assessment and intervention (safety
priority).
• A: Stable postoperative pain is important but not as time-
sensitive as hypoglycemia with altered mental status.
• C: Discharge teaching is important but can be delegated or
deferred after addressing immediate safety issues.
, • D: Pain management is important but not an immediate
threat compared to acute hypoglycemia.
Teaching Point: Immediate physiologic threats
(airway/breathing/circulation, severe hypoglycemia) take
precedence.
Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 11th Ed., Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment &
Prioritization. (Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 2)
3
Reference: Ch. 3: Health Concepts — Infection Prevention &
Transmission-based Precautions
Question Stem: A patient admitted with suspected C. difficile
diarrhea requires contact precautions. Which action by the
nurse best reduces transmission risk when caring for this
patient?
A. Use standard surgical mask during care.
B. Wear a gown and gloves and wash hands with soap and
water after care.
C. Use alcohol-based hand rub after patient contact.
D. Place the patient in a negative-pressure room.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol rub;
soap and water handwashing plus gown and gloves for
