Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-
Surgical Nursing
15th Edition
Author(s)Janice Hinkle, Kerry H. Cheever,
Kristen Overbaugh
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The
Practice of Nursing
Question: A registered nurse (RN) caring for a stable
postoperative patient is preparing to delegate morning vital
signs and ambulation to a nursing assistant (UAP). Which action
by the RN best demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. Tell the UAP to ambulate the patient without reporting any
,pain complaints.
B. Ask the UAP to obtain vitals and report any values outside
parameters the RN documents.
C. Delegate postoperative medication administration to the UAP
while supervising.
D. Ask the UAP to teach the patient the postoperative self-care
plan and document education.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth state RNs may delegate
routine, stable tasks (like vital signs, ambulation) and must
provide clear expectations about parameters to report;
this ensures safe supervision and accountability.
• A: Inappropriate because the RN must instruct the UAP to
report pain or other complaints; ignoring pain breaches
safety and assessment responsibilities.
• C: Medication administration is a professional nursing
activity that cannot be delegated to UAPs.
• D: Teaching is an RN responsibility requiring assessment
and clinical judgment; delegating teaching to a UAP is
inappropriate.
Teaching Point: Delegate only stable, routine tasks and specify
reporting parameters.
,Citation: Hinkle, J., Cheever, K., & Overbaugh, K. (2022).
Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(15th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The Patient:
Consumer of Nursing and Health Care
Question: A 68-year-old patient with new heart failure
expresses concern about medication costs and asks the nurse
for simpler options. Which nursing action best supports the
patient as a healthcare consumer?
A. Tell the patient to discuss costs with the physician only.
B. Provide a list of formulary alternatives and refer to the case
manager.
C. Recommend stopping the expensive drug to save money.
D. Explain that cost concerns are outside the nurse's role.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth emphasize advocacy and
assisting patients to access resources; providing formulary
options and involving case management supports shared
decision-making and access.
• A: Deflecting to the physician alone misses the nurse’s
advocacy role and delays problem-solving.
, • C: Recommending stopping medication risks harm and
bypasses prescriber collaboration.
• D: Incorrect — nursing includes advocacy and coordination
of care to address barriers like cost.
Teaching Point: Advocate and connect patients to resources to
support informed, feasible care plans.
Citation: Hinkle, J., Cheever, K., & Overbaugh, K. (2022).
Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(15th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The
Patient’s Basic Needs: Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Question: During triage, four patients arrive. Which patient
should the nurse assess first based on Maslow’s hierarchy and
immediate safety priorities?
A. A restless patient with SpO₂ 86% on room air.
B. A patient with anxiety about upcoming surgery.
C. A patient requesting teaching about wound care.
D. A patient reporting mild hunger after a 6-hour fast.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
• A (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth apply Maslow and ABCs:
physiological needs (airway/oxygenation) take priority —
Surgical Nursing
15th Edition
Author(s)Janice Hinkle, Kerry H. Cheever,
Kristen Overbaugh
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The
Practice of Nursing
Question: A registered nurse (RN) caring for a stable
postoperative patient is preparing to delegate morning vital
signs and ambulation to a nursing assistant (UAP). Which action
by the RN best demonstrates appropriate delegation?
A. Tell the UAP to ambulate the patient without reporting any
,pain complaints.
B. Ask the UAP to obtain vitals and report any values outside
parameters the RN documents.
C. Delegate postoperative medication administration to the UAP
while supervising.
D. Ask the UAP to teach the patient the postoperative self-care
plan and document education.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth state RNs may delegate
routine, stable tasks (like vital signs, ambulation) and must
provide clear expectations about parameters to report;
this ensures safe supervision and accountability.
• A: Inappropriate because the RN must instruct the UAP to
report pain or other complaints; ignoring pain breaches
safety and assessment responsibilities.
• C: Medication administration is a professional nursing
activity that cannot be delegated to UAPs.
• D: Teaching is an RN responsibility requiring assessment
and clinical judgment; delegating teaching to a UAP is
inappropriate.
Teaching Point: Delegate only stable, routine tasks and specify
reporting parameters.
,Citation: Hinkle, J., Cheever, K., & Overbaugh, K. (2022).
Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(15th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The Patient:
Consumer of Nursing and Health Care
Question: A 68-year-old patient with new heart failure
expresses concern about medication costs and asks the nurse
for simpler options. Which nursing action best supports the
patient as a healthcare consumer?
A. Tell the patient to discuss costs with the physician only.
B. Provide a list of formulary alternatives and refer to the case
manager.
C. Recommend stopping the expensive drug to save money.
D. Explain that cost concerns are outside the nurse's role.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth emphasize advocacy and
assisting patients to access resources; providing formulary
options and involving case management supports shared
decision-making and access.
• A: Deflecting to the physician alone misses the nurse’s
advocacy role and delays problem-solving.
, • C: Recommending stopping medication risks harm and
bypasses prescriber collaboration.
• D: Incorrect — nursing includes advocacy and coordination
of care to address barriers like cost.
Teaching Point: Advocate and connect patients to resources to
support informed, feasible care plans.
Citation: Hinkle, J., Cheever, K., & Overbaugh, K. (2022).
Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(15th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Professional Nursing Practice — The
Patient’s Basic Needs: Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Question: During triage, four patients arrive. Which patient
should the nurse assess first based on Maslow’s hierarchy and
immediate safety priorities?
A. A restless patient with SpO₂ 86% on room air.
B. A patient with anxiety about upcoming surgery.
C. A patient requesting teaching about wound care.
D. A patient reporting mild hunger after a 6-hour fast.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
• A (Correct): Brunner & Suddarth apply Maslow and ABCs:
physiological needs (airway/oxygenation) take priority —
