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
1 — Reference
Ch. 1: Overview of Professional Nursing Concepts for
Medical–Surgical Nursing — Role & Scope
Question stem
A 58-year-old post-op patient asks the RN to explain why
the nurse coordinates multiple specialists' plans. Which
statement best reflects the nurse’s professional role in
interprofessional care?
A. “I will perform tasks assigned by each specialist so you
don’t have to repeat history.”
B. “I integrate and communicate information from the
team to ensure safe, coordinated care.”
C. “I decide the final medical plan when specialists
disagree.”
D. “I only contact other disciplines if a problem occurs
during my shift.”
Correct answer: B
, Rationales
• B (correct): Nursing professional role includes care
coordination—integrating information, communicating
across disciplines, and advocating for patient-centered,
safe care.
• A (incorrect): Performing tasks is part of care, but the role
is broader—coordination and communication are central,
not mere task completion.
• C (incorrect): Nurses do not unilaterally decide medical
plans; they collaborate and advocate but respect scope of
practice.
• D (incorrect): Proactive interprofessional communication is
necessary for prevention and continuity, not only problem
response.
Teaching point: Nurses coordinate and communicate
across disciplines to ensure safe, patient-centered care.
Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 1: Overview of
Professional Nursing Concepts
2 — Reference
Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment and Systems Thinking — Tanner’s
Model & Clinical Reasoning
Question stem
During morning assessment a client’s oxygen saturation
, drops from 95% to 88% and respiratory rate increases.
Using Tanner’s clinical judgment model, what is the nurse’s
next immediate action?
A. Document the findings and continue routine care.
B. Reassess the client’s respiratory status and apply oxygen
per protocol.
C. Wait 30 minutes to see if the saturation improves.
D. Notify the provider without performing additional
assessment.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
• B (correct): Immediate reassessment and initiating
appropriate interventions (oxygen per protocol) aligns with
noticing, interpreting, and responding in Tanner’s model to
prevent deterioration.
• A (incorrect): Passive documentation without intervention
risks patient safety.
• C (incorrect): Delaying action with hypoxemia is unsafe;
waiting undermines timely response.
• D (incorrect): Notifying provider is appropriate but only
after/with reassessment and initial stabilizing measures.
Teaching point: Use Tanner’s steps: notice → interpret →
respond promptly to abnormal findings.
, Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment
and Systems Thinking
3 — Reference
Ch. 3: Overview of Health Concepts for Medical–Surgical
Nursing — Homeostasis & Stress Response
Question stem
A client with uncontrolled diabetes reports fatigue,
polyuria, and dry mucous membranes. Which nursing
interpretation most accurately connects pathophysiology
to the symptoms?
A. Excess insulin causes increased thirst and urination.
B. Hyperglycemia leads to osmotic diuresis causing
dehydration and fatigue.
C. Low blood sugar increases mucous membrane dryness.
D. Hyperthyroidism is the likely underlying cause.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
• B (correct): High glucose causes osmotic diuresis → fluid
loss → dehydration, polyuria, and fatigue —
pathophysiologic linkage.
• A (incorrect): Excess insulin would cause hypoglycemia,
not polyuria and thirst.
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
1 — Reference
Ch. 1: Overview of Professional Nursing Concepts for
Medical–Surgical Nursing — Role & Scope
Question stem
A 58-year-old post-op patient asks the RN to explain why
the nurse coordinates multiple specialists' plans. Which
statement best reflects the nurse’s professional role in
interprofessional care?
A. “I will perform tasks assigned by each specialist so you
don’t have to repeat history.”
B. “I integrate and communicate information from the
team to ensure safe, coordinated care.”
C. “I decide the final medical plan when specialists
disagree.”
D. “I only contact other disciplines if a problem occurs
during my shift.”
Correct answer: B
, Rationales
• B (correct): Nursing professional role includes care
coordination—integrating information, communicating
across disciplines, and advocating for patient-centered,
safe care.
• A (incorrect): Performing tasks is part of care, but the role
is broader—coordination and communication are central,
not mere task completion.
• C (incorrect): Nurses do not unilaterally decide medical
plans; they collaborate and advocate but respect scope of
practice.
• D (incorrect): Proactive interprofessional communication is
necessary for prevention and continuity, not only problem
response.
Teaching point: Nurses coordinate and communicate
across disciplines to ensure safe, patient-centered care.
Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 1: Overview of
Professional Nursing Concepts
2 — Reference
Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment and Systems Thinking — Tanner’s
Model & Clinical Reasoning
Question stem
During morning assessment a client’s oxygen saturation
, drops from 95% to 88% and respiratory rate increases.
Using Tanner’s clinical judgment model, what is the nurse’s
next immediate action?
A. Document the findings and continue routine care.
B. Reassess the client’s respiratory status and apply oxygen
per protocol.
C. Wait 30 minutes to see if the saturation improves.
D. Notify the provider without performing additional
assessment.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
• B (correct): Immediate reassessment and initiating
appropriate interventions (oxygen per protocol) aligns with
noticing, interpreting, and responding in Tanner’s model to
prevent deterioration.
• A (incorrect): Passive documentation without intervention
risks patient safety.
• C (incorrect): Delaying action with hypoxemia is unsafe;
waiting undermines timely response.
• D (incorrect): Notifying provider is appropriate but only
after/with reassessment and initial stabilizing measures.
Teaching point: Use Tanner’s steps: notice → interpret →
respond promptly to abnormal findings.
, Citation: Ignatavicius et al., 2024, Ch. 2: Clinical Judgment
and Systems Thinking
3 — Reference
Ch. 3: Overview of Health Concepts for Medical–Surgical
Nursing — Homeostasis & Stress Response
Question stem
A client with uncontrolled diabetes reports fatigue,
polyuria, and dry mucous membranes. Which nursing
interpretation most accurately connects pathophysiology
to the symptoms?
A. Excess insulin causes increased thirst and urination.
B. Hyperglycemia leads to osmotic diuresis causing
dehydration and fatigue.
C. Low blood sugar increases mucous membrane dryness.
D. Hyperthyroidism is the likely underlying cause.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
• B (correct): High glucose causes osmotic diuresis → fluid
loss → dehydration, polyuria, and fatigue —
pathophysiologic linkage.
• A (incorrect): Excess insulin would cause hypoglycemia,
not polyuria and thirst.
