Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-
Surgical Nursing (16th ed.)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Revision
Unit 1 – Principles of Nursing Practice (20 MCQs)
1. Which statement best defines professional nursing practice?
A. Performing physician-directed tasks
B. Applying evidence, ethics, and clinical judgment to patient
care
C. Following institutional policies only
D. Providing care based on experience alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Professional nursing integrates evidence-based
knowledge, ethical standards, and clinical judgment to deliver
safe, patient-centered care.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,2. Which core value most directly guides ethical nursing
practice?
A. Autonomy
B. Advocacy
C. Efficiency
D. Accountability
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Advocacy ensures nurses protect patients’ rights,
preferences, and safety within the healthcare system.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
3. The nurse recognizes the patient as a consumer of health
care when performing which action?
A. Selecting treatments independently
B. Limiting information to avoid anxiety
C. Encouraging shared decision-making
D. Prioritizing institutional policy over patient preference
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects patients as informed
consumers who participate in decisions affecting their health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
4. Which definition of health aligns with contemporary nursing
practice?
,A. Absence of disease
B. Optimal physical functioning
C. Dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being
D. Ability to perform activities of daily living
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Health is viewed as a dynamic, holistic state rather
than simply the absence of illness.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
5. Which factor most significantly influences health care
delivery today?
A. Increased acute care admissions
B. Emphasis on preventive and population-based care
C. Reduced use of technology
D. Decreased patient autonomy
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Healthcare systems increasingly emphasize
prevention, chronic disease management, and population
health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
6. Which nursing action best reflects evidence-based practice
(EBP)?
A. Using interventions based on tradition
B. Applying research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
, C. Following standardized care plans only
D. Relying on expert opinion alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: EBP integrates best evidence, clinician expertise, and
patient values to improve outcomes.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
7. A nurse reduces risk for medication errors by prioritizing
which principle?
A. Time management
B. Patient satisfaction
C. Safety culture and system awareness
D. Cost-effectiveness
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A culture of safety emphasizes system-based
strategies to reduce preventable harm.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
8. Which role is central to professional nursing regardless of
practice setting?
A. Case manager
B. Educator
C. Care coordinator
D. Patient advocate
Surgical Nursing (16th ed.)
Medical-Surgical Nursing Revision
Unit 1 – Principles of Nursing Practice (20 MCQs)
1. Which statement best defines professional nursing practice?
A. Performing physician-directed tasks
B. Applying evidence, ethics, and clinical judgment to patient
care
C. Following institutional policies only
D. Providing care based on experience alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Professional nursing integrates evidence-based
knowledge, ethical standards, and clinical judgment to deliver
safe, patient-centered care.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
,2. Which core value most directly guides ethical nursing
practice?
A. Autonomy
B. Advocacy
C. Efficiency
D. Accountability
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Advocacy ensures nurses protect patients’ rights,
preferences, and safety within the healthcare system.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
3. The nurse recognizes the patient as a consumer of health
care when performing which action?
A. Selecting treatments independently
B. Limiting information to avoid anxiety
C. Encouraging shared decision-making
D. Prioritizing institutional policy over patient preference
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects patients as informed
consumers who participate in decisions affecting their health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
4. Which definition of health aligns with contemporary nursing
practice?
,A. Absence of disease
B. Optimal physical functioning
C. Dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being
D. Ability to perform activities of daily living
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Health is viewed as a dynamic, holistic state rather
than simply the absence of illness.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 1
5. Which factor most significantly influences health care
delivery today?
A. Increased acute care admissions
B. Emphasis on preventive and population-based care
C. Reduced use of technology
D. Decreased patient autonomy
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Healthcare systems increasingly emphasize
prevention, chronic disease management, and population
health.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
6. Which nursing action best reflects evidence-based practice
(EBP)?
A. Using interventions based on tradition
B. Applying research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
, C. Following standardized care plans only
D. Relying on expert opinion alone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: EBP integrates best evidence, clinician expertise, and
patient values to improve outcomes.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
7. A nurse reduces risk for medication errors by prioritizing
which principle?
A. Time management
B. Patient satisfaction
C. Safety culture and system awareness
D. Cost-effectiveness
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A culture of safety emphasizes system-based
strategies to reduce preventable harm.
Citation: Brunner & Suddarth, 16th ed., Ch. 2
8. Which role is central to professional nursing regardless of
practice setting?
A. Case manager
B. Educator
C. Care coordinator
D. Patient advocate
