MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING — 7TH EDITION
ORIGINAL EXAM MASTERY QUESTION BANK • 2026 STUDY EDITION
103+ ORIGINAL QUESTIONS • ANSWERS • CLINICAL RATIONALES • PRIORITY THINKING
IMPORTANT: This is an independently authored study resource. It does not reproduce the commercial Stuvia test
bank, instructor test bank, or actual examination questions. It uses the published subject structure of the
7th-edition text as a framework for original exam preparation.
HOW TO USE: Cover the answer, decide what you would do, identify the clinical priority, then read the rationale. Mark missed
questions and repeat them after 24 hours. For multiple-choice questions, ask: What is the immediate threat? What does the
question actually ask? Which option is safest and most appropriate now?
CORE EXAM RULE: Airway, breathing, circulation, acute neurologic change, severe bleeding, sepsis/shock, and
immediate safety threats generally outrank routine teaching, documentation, or comfort measures.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 1
, FOUNDATIONS, OLDER ADULTS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
What is the priority when caring for an older adult with several chronic illnesses?
ANSWER: Address immediate threats to safety and physiologic stability first, then integrate chronic disease management,
function, medications, and the patient's goals.
RATIONALE: Older adults often have atypical presentations and multiple interacting problems. The longest problem list is not
necessarily the highest priority.
What is evidence-based nursing practice?
ANSWER: Integration of the best available evidence, clinical expertise, patient preferences, and clinical context.
RATIONALE: Evidence must be applicable to the individual patient; it does not replace professional judgment.
What is the purpose of pain assessment?
ANSWER: To characterize pain and its effect on function so treatment can be individualized and evaluated.
RATIONALE: Assess location, quality, severity, timing, aggravating/relieving factors, functional impact, and response to
treatment.
What is the difference between tolerance and physical dependence?
ANSWER: Tolerance means increasing amounts may be needed for the same effect; physical dependence means
withdrawal can occur after abrupt reduction or cessation.
RATIONALE: Neither term by itself establishes a substance-use disorder.
What is culturally responsive nursing care?
ANSWER: Care that respects the patient's beliefs, communication needs, values, and health practices without stereotyping.
RATIONALE: Ask the individual rather than assuming what a cultural group believes.
What is a major goal of rehabilitation?
ANSWER: Maximize function, independence, safety, and quality of life.
RATIONALE: Rehabilitation includes physical, psychological, social, and educational needs and often involves the support
system.
What is an advance directive?
ANSWER: A legal expression of a person's wishes about future healthcare decisions if the person becomes unable to
communicate or decide.
RATIONALE: It supports autonomy and is distinct from provider-issued medical orders.
Why is medication reconciliation important?
ANSWER: It identifies discrepancies among prescribed, over-the-counter, and complementary medications and reduces
preventable medication errors.
RATIONALE: Verify drug, dose, route, frequency, indication, and what the patient actually takes.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 2
, EMERGENCY, TRAUMA & DISASTER
What assessment framework is commonly used for an unstable trauma patient?
ANSWER: Airway, breathing, circulation, disability/neurologic status, and exposure, while immediately treating life threats.
RATIONALE: A complete history comes after immediate threats are addressed.
What finding suggests tension pneumothorax?
ANSWER: Severe respiratory distress with unilateral decreased breath sounds, hypotension, and other evidence of
obstructive shock.
RATIONALE: This is an emergency; treatment should not be delayed for an unnecessarily prolonged diagnostic workup.
What is the priority after suspected spinal trauma?
ANSWER: Protect the spine while immediately supporting airway, breathing, and circulation.
RATIONALE: Spinal precautions must not distract from life-threatening airway or breathing problems.
What is the purpose of disaster triage?
ANSWER: Prioritize patients according to urgency, likely benefit, and available resources.
RATIONALE: Disaster triage differs from routine emergency care because resources may be constrained.
What finding is concerning for heat stroke?
ANSWER: Severe hyperthermia accompanied by altered mental status.
RATIONALE: Rapid cooling and emergency treatment are priorities.
What is an important principle after chemical contamination?
ANSWER: Protect rescuers and prevent secondary contamination while following the appropriate decontamination
procedure.
RATIONALE: A responder who becomes contaminated creates a second emergency.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 3
ORIGINAL EXAM MASTERY QUESTION BANK • 2026 STUDY EDITION
103+ ORIGINAL QUESTIONS • ANSWERS • CLINICAL RATIONALES • PRIORITY THINKING
IMPORTANT: This is an independently authored study resource. It does not reproduce the commercial Stuvia test
bank, instructor test bank, or actual examination questions. It uses the published subject structure of the
7th-edition text as a framework for original exam preparation.
HOW TO USE: Cover the answer, decide what you would do, identify the clinical priority, then read the rationale. Mark missed
questions and repeat them after 24 hours. For multiple-choice questions, ask: What is the immediate threat? What does the
question actually ask? Which option is safest and most appropriate now?
CORE EXAM RULE: Airway, breathing, circulation, acute neurologic change, severe bleeding, sepsis/shock, and
immediate safety threats generally outrank routine teaching, documentation, or comfort measures.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 1
, FOUNDATIONS, OLDER ADULTS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
What is the priority when caring for an older adult with several chronic illnesses?
ANSWER: Address immediate threats to safety and physiologic stability first, then integrate chronic disease management,
function, medications, and the patient's goals.
RATIONALE: Older adults often have atypical presentations and multiple interacting problems. The longest problem list is not
necessarily the highest priority.
What is evidence-based nursing practice?
ANSWER: Integration of the best available evidence, clinical expertise, patient preferences, and clinical context.
RATIONALE: Evidence must be applicable to the individual patient; it does not replace professional judgment.
What is the purpose of pain assessment?
ANSWER: To characterize pain and its effect on function so treatment can be individualized and evaluated.
RATIONALE: Assess location, quality, severity, timing, aggravating/relieving factors, functional impact, and response to
treatment.
What is the difference between tolerance and physical dependence?
ANSWER: Tolerance means increasing amounts may be needed for the same effect; physical dependence means
withdrawal can occur after abrupt reduction or cessation.
RATIONALE: Neither term by itself establishes a substance-use disorder.
What is culturally responsive nursing care?
ANSWER: Care that respects the patient's beliefs, communication needs, values, and health practices without stereotyping.
RATIONALE: Ask the individual rather than assuming what a cultural group believes.
What is a major goal of rehabilitation?
ANSWER: Maximize function, independence, safety, and quality of life.
RATIONALE: Rehabilitation includes physical, psychological, social, and educational needs and often involves the support
system.
What is an advance directive?
ANSWER: A legal expression of a person's wishes about future healthcare decisions if the person becomes unable to
communicate or decide.
RATIONALE: It supports autonomy and is distinct from provider-issued medical orders.
Why is medication reconciliation important?
ANSWER: It identifies discrepancies among prescribed, over-the-counter, and complementary medications and reduces
preventable medication errors.
RATIONALE: Verify drug, dose, route, frequency, indication, and what the patient actually takes.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 2
, EMERGENCY, TRAUMA & DISASTER
What assessment framework is commonly used for an unstable trauma patient?
ANSWER: Airway, breathing, circulation, disability/neurologic status, and exposure, while immediately treating life threats.
RATIONALE: A complete history comes after immediate threats are addressed.
What finding suggests tension pneumothorax?
ANSWER: Severe respiratory distress with unilateral decreased breath sounds, hypotension, and other evidence of
obstructive shock.
RATIONALE: This is an emergency; treatment should not be delayed for an unnecessarily prolonged diagnostic workup.
What is the priority after suspected spinal trauma?
ANSWER: Protect the spine while immediately supporting airway, breathing, and circulation.
RATIONALE: Spinal precautions must not distract from life-threatening airway or breathing problems.
What is the purpose of disaster triage?
ANSWER: Prioritize patients according to urgency, likely benefit, and available resources.
RATIONALE: Disaster triage differs from routine emergency care because resources may be constrained.
What finding is concerning for heat stroke?
ANSWER: Severe hyperthermia accompanied by altered mental status.
RATIONALE: Rapid cooling and emergency treatment are priorities.
What is an important principle after chemical contamination?
ANSWER: Protect rescuers and prevent secondary contamination while following the appropriate decontamination
procedure.
RATIONALE: A responder who becomes contaminated creates a second emergency.
Medical-Surgical Nursing 7e — Original Exam Mastery Page 3
