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Medical-Surgical
Nursing – Hinkle &
Brunner & Suddarth –
15th Edition – Chapters
1–34
.Comprehensive Study Notes
These study notes cover key concepts from Chapters 1–34 of Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (15th Edition). The document summarizes essential
medical-surgical nursing principles, patient care practices, disease management, and nursing interventions presented in the early chapters of the textbook. It is designed to
support nursing students in reviewing foundational medical-surgical topics and preparing for exams or coursework.
Ch 01: 15e
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse has been offered a position in an obstetric unit and has learned that the unit
offers therapeutic abortions, a procedure that contradicts the nurse's personal beliefs.
What is the nurse's ethical obligation to these clients?
A. The nurse should adhere to professional standards of practice and offer service to these
clients.
B. The nurse should make the choice to decline this position and pursue a different nursing role.
C. The nurse should decline to care for the clients considering abortion.
D. The nurse should express alternatives to women considering terminating their pregnancy.
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale:
To avoid facing an ethical dilemma that conflicts with personal beliefs, the nurse should consider
working in an area that does not present this conflict. Refusing care after accepting the position
would violate ethical responsibilities to clients.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 27
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Caring
BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
2. An 80-year-old client is admitted with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia.
During admission the client states, “I have a living will.” What implication of this should
the nurse recognize?
A. This document is always honored regardless of circumstances.
B. This document specifies the client’s wishes before hospitalization.
C. This document is binding for the duration of the client's life.
D. This document has been drawn up by the client's family to determine DNR status.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A living will is an advance directive that outlines a client's wishes for medical treatment should
they become unable to communicate those wishes.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 29
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
3. A nurse understands the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Which action violates this
principle?
A. Discussing a DNR order with a terminally ill client
B. Assisting a semi-independent client with ADLs
C. Refusing to administer pain medication as prescribed
D. Providing more care for one client than another
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale:
Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm. Refusing prescribed pain medication could cause
unnecessary suffering and harm.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 25
4. Which organization develops the taxonomy of nursing diagnoses?
A. American Nurses Association (ANA)
B. North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA)
C. National League for Nursing (NLN)
D. Joint Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
NANDA International develops standardized nursing diagnoses used globally.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 15
5. What is the most important rationale for documenting a client’s care?
A. It provides continuity of care.
B. It creates a teaching log for the family.
C. It verifies staffing levels.
D. It keeps the client informed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Documentation ensures communication among healthcare providers and promotes coordinated
care.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 14
6. A nurse refuses to care for a client with AIDS. Which ethical standard obligates the nurse to
care for the client?
A. Good Samaritan Act
B. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
C. Nurse Practice Act
D. International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics
Correct Answer: D
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Medical-Surgical
Nursing – Hinkle &
Brunner & Suddarth –
15th Edition – Chapters
1–34
.Comprehensive Study Notes
These study notes cover key concepts from Chapters 1–34 of Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (15th Edition). The document summarizes essential
medical-surgical nursing principles, patient care practices, disease management, and nursing interventions presented in the early chapters of the textbook. It is designed to
support nursing students in reviewing foundational medical-surgical topics and preparing for exams or coursework.
Ch 01: 15e
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse has been offered a position in an obstetric unit and has learned that the unit
offers therapeutic abortions, a procedure that contradicts the nurse's personal beliefs.
What is the nurse's ethical obligation to these clients?
A. The nurse should adhere to professional standards of practice and offer service to these
clients.
B. The nurse should make the choice to decline this position and pursue a different nursing role.
C. The nurse should decline to care for the clients considering abortion.
D. The nurse should express alternatives to women considering terminating their pregnancy.
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale:
To avoid facing an ethical dilemma that conflicts with personal beliefs, the nurse should consider
working in an area that does not present this conflict. Refusing care after accepting the position
would violate ethical responsibilities to clients.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 27
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
TOP: Chapter 1: Professional Nursing Practice
KEY: Integrated Process: Caring
BLM: Cognitive Level: Apply
2. An 80-year-old client is admitted with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia.
During admission the client states, “I have a living will.” What implication of this should
the nurse recognize?
A. This document is always honored regardless of circumstances.
B. This document specifies the client’s wishes before hospitalization.
C. This document is binding for the duration of the client's life.
D. This document has been drawn up by the client's family to determine DNR status.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A living will is an advance directive that outlines a client's wishes for medical treatment should
they become unable to communicate those wishes.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 29
NAT: Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
KEY: Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
BLM: Cognitive Level: Analyze
3. A nurse understands the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Which action violates this
principle?
A. Discussing a DNR order with a terminally ill client
B. Assisting a semi-independent client with ADLs
C. Refusing to administer pain medication as prescribed
D. Providing more care for one client than another
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale:
Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm. Refusing prescribed pain medication could cause
unnecessary suffering and harm.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 25
4. Which organization develops the taxonomy of nursing diagnoses?
A. American Nurses Association (ANA)
B. North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA)
C. National League for Nursing (NLN)
D. Joint Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
NANDA International develops standardized nursing diagnoses used globally.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 15
5. What is the most important rationale for documenting a client’s care?
A. It provides continuity of care.
B. It creates a teaching log for the family.
C. It verifies staffing levels.
D. It keeps the client informed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Documentation ensures communication among healthcare providers and promotes coordinated
care.
PTS: 1
REF: p. 14
6. A nurse refuses to care for a client with AIDS. Which ethical standard obligates the nurse to
care for the client?
A. Good Samaritan Act
B. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
C. Nurse Practice Act
D. International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics
Correct Answer: D
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