Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing 10th Edition by
Ignatavicius, Workman, Rebar, and Heimgartner
, Chapter 01: OvervieSw
tuvi a. co m - T h e M a r k e t p l a c e t o B u y a n d Sel l y o u r S t u d y M a t e r i a l
of Pr o f es s i o n a l N u r s i n g C o n c e p t s fo r M edical-Surgical Nursing
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A newly licensed nurse is being mentored on a medical-surgical floor. The preceptor emphasizes that the primary
focus in professional nursing is:
a. Addressing the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
b. Maintaining a safe environment for the patient
c. Avoiding errors when administering medications
d. Delivering care that centers on the individual patient
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
While all these actions are important in nursing practice, patient safety is the top concern. Numerous reports over
the past 25 years have highlighted serious medical errors that cause harm, death, and increase health care costs.
Many global and national agencies have urged implementation of safety protocols. Every nurse must prioritize
safety. Though avoiding medication errors is part of this, it is too specific to encompass the full safety spectrum.
2. While orienting a new patient and their family to the unit, what should the nurse emphasize to promote the
patient’s own safety?
a. Urge the patient and family to be actively involved in care
b. Ask the patient to observe hand hygiene practices among staff
c. Allow a family member to stay at the bedside
d. Instruct the patient to wear their identification band at all times
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Though all these steps can contribute to safety, encouraging patients to be actively engaged in their own care offers
the greatest protection. The other suggestions are helpful but have a more limited scope in enhancing patient safety.
3. A nurse is monitoring a postoperative patient whose blood pressure dropped from 142/76 mm Hg to 88/50 mm
Hg within 30 minutes. What is the nurse’s first response?
a. Activate the Rapid Response Team
b. Record the change and continue monitoring
c. Notify the primary care provider
d. Recheck the blood pressure in 15 minutes
,✔✔ Correct Answer: A
The Rapid Response Team exists to manage sudden declines in patient status before a full-blown emergency occurs.
The significant blood pressure change signals clinical deterioration and needs urgent action. Documentation, follow-
up readings, and provider notification are all essential, but immediate intervention by the RRT takes precedence.
4. To consistently practice patient-centered care, which action by the nurse best illustrates this approach?
a. Considers how cultural background influences care decisions
b. Ensures all the patient’s basic physiological needs are addressed
c. Informs the patient and family about each upcoming procedure
d. Carefully explains the layout of the room and its equipment
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Acknowledging and incorporating the patient's cultural beliefs into care reflects true patient-centeredness. Meeting
basic needs or giving general information is valuable, but assessing cultural influence supports individualized,
holistic care.
5. A patient is preparing for a planned surgery. What action does the nurse suggest is the most important for
preventing medical mistakes?
a. Bring a list of current medications and their uses
b. Keep the provider’s phone number nearby
c. Monitor staff for proper hand hygiene
d. Note the name of each staff member entering the room
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
A detailed medication list allows for reconciliation, a critical safety step during transitions in care and a national
safety initiative. While hygiene and staff ID awareness are beneficial, they don't address safety as broadly as
medication accuracy does.
6. What action by the nurse best reflects respect for a patient’s autonomy?
a. Checks if the patient has concerns before signing consent
b. Offers honest answers when questioned by the patient
c. Fulfills all promises made to the patient and their family
d. Treats this patient the same as others on the unit
, ✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Autonomy involves the patient making informed decisions. Asking about questions before obtaining consent
supports this right. Giving truthful information supports veracity, honoring promises demonstrates fidelity, and
treating everyone equally shows justice.
7. A nurse asks an experienced colleague how to best communicate with someone who identifies as LGBTQ. Which
response is most appropriate?
a. Avoid making the person uncomfortable by not asking too much
b. Refrain from assuming anything about their health care needs
c. Most LGBTQ individuals prefer not to discuss personal matters
d. Communication with this group is no different from others
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
Making assumptions can lead to bias and improper care. Asking respectful, relevant questions is key, especially
given the history of discrimination some LGBTQ patients have faced. With compassionate communication, patients
are more likely to be open and honest.
8. A nurse calls the provider about a post-op patient who is still in pain despite opioid use. Which statement
represents the "Background" in SBAR communication?
a. “Please consider prescribing a different pain reliever.”
b. “The patient is allergic to morphine and codeine.”
c. “Dr. Smith typically avoids NSAIDs.”
d. “The patient underwent vaginal hysterectomy 2 days ago.”
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. Relevant background includes key
medical history or allergies. While the surgery date also belongs in the background, the most critical detail here is
the medication allergy, which informs treatment choices.
9. A nurse delegates vital signs to an experienced assistant. Four hours later, the patient's blood pressure is
significantly elevated and mental status has worsened. What could the nurse have done to prevent this issue?
a. Verified that the assistant was trained in taking vitals
b. Rechecked the blood pressure personally afterward
Ignatavicius, Workman, Rebar, and Heimgartner
, Chapter 01: OvervieSw
tuvi a. co m - T h e M a r k e t p l a c e t o B u y a n d Sel l y o u r S t u d y M a t e r i a l
of Pr o f es s i o n a l N u r s i n g C o n c e p t s fo r M edical-Surgical Nursing
Ignatavicius: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A newly licensed nurse is being mentored on a medical-surgical floor. The preceptor emphasizes that the primary
focus in professional nursing is:
a. Addressing the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
b. Maintaining a safe environment for the patient
c. Avoiding errors when administering medications
d. Delivering care that centers on the individual patient
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
While all these actions are important in nursing practice, patient safety is the top concern. Numerous reports over
the past 25 years have highlighted serious medical errors that cause harm, death, and increase health care costs.
Many global and national agencies have urged implementation of safety protocols. Every nurse must prioritize
safety. Though avoiding medication errors is part of this, it is too specific to encompass the full safety spectrum.
2. While orienting a new patient and their family to the unit, what should the nurse emphasize to promote the
patient’s own safety?
a. Urge the patient and family to be actively involved in care
b. Ask the patient to observe hand hygiene practices among staff
c. Allow a family member to stay at the bedside
d. Instruct the patient to wear their identification band at all times
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Though all these steps can contribute to safety, encouraging patients to be actively engaged in their own care offers
the greatest protection. The other suggestions are helpful but have a more limited scope in enhancing patient safety.
3. A nurse is monitoring a postoperative patient whose blood pressure dropped from 142/76 mm Hg to 88/50 mm
Hg within 30 minutes. What is the nurse’s first response?
a. Activate the Rapid Response Team
b. Record the change and continue monitoring
c. Notify the primary care provider
d. Recheck the blood pressure in 15 minutes
,✔✔ Correct Answer: A
The Rapid Response Team exists to manage sudden declines in patient status before a full-blown emergency occurs.
The significant blood pressure change signals clinical deterioration and needs urgent action. Documentation, follow-
up readings, and provider notification are all essential, but immediate intervention by the RRT takes precedence.
4. To consistently practice patient-centered care, which action by the nurse best illustrates this approach?
a. Considers how cultural background influences care decisions
b. Ensures all the patient’s basic physiological needs are addressed
c. Informs the patient and family about each upcoming procedure
d. Carefully explains the layout of the room and its equipment
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Acknowledging and incorporating the patient's cultural beliefs into care reflects true patient-centeredness. Meeting
basic needs or giving general information is valuable, but assessing cultural influence supports individualized,
holistic care.
5. A patient is preparing for a planned surgery. What action does the nurse suggest is the most important for
preventing medical mistakes?
a. Bring a list of current medications and their uses
b. Keep the provider’s phone number nearby
c. Monitor staff for proper hand hygiene
d. Note the name of each staff member entering the room
✔✔ Correct Answer: A
A detailed medication list allows for reconciliation, a critical safety step during transitions in care and a national
safety initiative. While hygiene and staff ID awareness are beneficial, they don't address safety as broadly as
medication accuracy does.
6. What action by the nurse best reflects respect for a patient’s autonomy?
a. Checks if the patient has concerns before signing consent
b. Offers honest answers when questioned by the patient
c. Fulfills all promises made to the patient and their family
d. Treats this patient the same as others on the unit
, ✔✔ Correct Answer: A
Autonomy involves the patient making informed decisions. Asking about questions before obtaining consent
supports this right. Giving truthful information supports veracity, honoring promises demonstrates fidelity, and
treating everyone equally shows justice.
7. A nurse asks an experienced colleague how to best communicate with someone who identifies as LGBTQ. Which
response is most appropriate?
a. Avoid making the person uncomfortable by not asking too much
b. Refrain from assuming anything about their health care needs
c. Most LGBTQ individuals prefer not to discuss personal matters
d. Communication with this group is no different from others
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
Making assumptions can lead to bias and improper care. Asking respectful, relevant questions is key, especially
given the history of discrimination some LGBTQ patients have faced. With compassionate communication, patients
are more likely to be open and honest.
8. A nurse calls the provider about a post-op patient who is still in pain despite opioid use. Which statement
represents the "Background" in SBAR communication?
a. “Please consider prescribing a different pain reliever.”
b. “The patient is allergic to morphine and codeine.”
c. “Dr. Smith typically avoids NSAIDs.”
d. “The patient underwent vaginal hysterectomy 2 days ago.”
✔✔ Correct Answer: B
SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. Relevant background includes key
medical history or allergies. While the surgery date also belongs in the background, the most critical detail here is
the medication allergy, which informs treatment choices.
9. A nurse delegates vital signs to an experienced assistant. Four hours later, the patient's blood pressure is
significantly elevated and mental status has worsened. What could the nurse have done to prevent this issue?
a. Verified that the assistant was trained in taking vitals
b. Rechecked the blood pressure personally afterward
