Medical Surgical Nursing – Concepts & Practice
Summary (deWit 3rd Edition)
Patient Safety & Nursing Fundamentals
1. What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To delegate tasks to nursing assistants
B) To provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
C) To replace the physician's diagnosis
D) To document patient complaints
2. The first step a nurse should take when discovering a fire is:
A) Activate the fire alarm.
B) Contain the fire by closing doors.
C) Rescue and remove patients from immediate danger.
D) Use the nearest fire extinguisher.
3. Which action is the most effective for preventing the spread of infection?
A) Wearing a gown and gloves
B) Proper hand hygiene
C) Placing the patient in isolation
D) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
4. When delegating a task to a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel), the
nurse retains responsibility for:
A) Completing the task faster.
B) The supervision and evaluation of the task.
C) The salary of the UAP.
D) The physician's orders related to the task.
5. A patient's expressed worry about surgery is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) A nursing diagnosis
D) An intervention
,Fluids, Electrolytes, & Acid-Base Balance
6. A patient with severe vomiting is at highest risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
7. The most common clinical manifestation of hypernatremia (high serum
sodium) is:
A) Edema
B) Thirst and dry, sticky mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
D) Positive Trousseau's sign
8. A primary symptom of hypokalemia (low potassium) is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Muscle weakness and leg cramps
C) Fluid retention and hypertension
D) Deep, rapid respirations
9. The best indicator of a patient's fluid volume status is:
A) Daily weight
B) Blood pressure
C) Skin turgor
D) Intake and output
10. Chvostek's sign is a clinical indicator of:
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Fluid overload
Perioperative Care
11. The phase of surgery that begins with the decision to have surgery and
ends with transfer to the OR is:
, A) Intraoperative
B) Postoperative
C) Preoperative
D) Recovery
12. The primary goal of preoperative teaching is to:
A) Reduce the patient's anxiety and promote recovery.
B) Entertain the patient before surgery.
C) Replace the surgeon's explanation.
D) Practice surgical techniques.
13. During the immediate postoperative period, the nurse's priority
assessment is:
A) Pain level
B) Surgical incision
C) Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs)
D) Urinary output
14. A patient is experiencing atelectasis post-abdominal surgery. The nurse
should anticipate an order for:
A) Antipyretics
B) Incentive spirometry
C) Diuretics
D) Anticoagulants
15. The most serious complication of immobility after surgery is:
A) Constipation
B) Atelectasis
C) Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
D) Urinary retention
Cardiovascular Disorders
16. The "5 P's" of a neurovascular assessment are:
A) Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis
B) Pressure, Pallor, Pulse, Position, Pain
Summary (deWit 3rd Edition)
Patient Safety & Nursing Fundamentals
1. What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To delegate tasks to nursing assistants
B) To provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
C) To replace the physician's diagnosis
D) To document patient complaints
2. The first step a nurse should take when discovering a fire is:
A) Activate the fire alarm.
B) Contain the fire by closing doors.
C) Rescue and remove patients from immediate danger.
D) Use the nearest fire extinguisher.
3. Which action is the most effective for preventing the spread of infection?
A) Wearing a gown and gloves
B) Proper hand hygiene
C) Placing the patient in isolation
D) Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
4. When delegating a task to a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel), the
nurse retains responsibility for:
A) Completing the task faster.
B) The supervision and evaluation of the task.
C) The salary of the UAP.
D) The physician's orders related to the task.
5. A patient's expressed worry about surgery is an example of:
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) A nursing diagnosis
D) An intervention
,Fluids, Electrolytes, & Acid-Base Balance
6. A patient with severe vomiting is at highest risk for which acid-base
imbalance?
A) Respiratory acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
7. The most common clinical manifestation of hypernatremia (high serum
sodium) is:
A) Edema
B) Thirst and dry, sticky mucous membranes
C) Muscle weakness and fatigue
D) Positive Trousseau's sign
8. A primary symptom of hypokalemia (low potassium) is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Muscle weakness and leg cramps
C) Fluid retention and hypertension
D) Deep, rapid respirations
9. The best indicator of a patient's fluid volume status is:
A) Daily weight
B) Blood pressure
C) Skin turgor
D) Intake and output
10. Chvostek's sign is a clinical indicator of:
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Fluid overload
Perioperative Care
11. The phase of surgery that begins with the decision to have surgery and
ends with transfer to the OR is:
, A) Intraoperative
B) Postoperative
C) Preoperative
D) Recovery
12. The primary goal of preoperative teaching is to:
A) Reduce the patient's anxiety and promote recovery.
B) Entertain the patient before surgery.
C) Replace the surgeon's explanation.
D) Practice surgical techniques.
13. During the immediate postoperative period, the nurse's priority
assessment is:
A) Pain level
B) Surgical incision
C) Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs)
D) Urinary output
14. A patient is experiencing atelectasis post-abdominal surgery. The nurse
should anticipate an order for:
A) Antipyretics
B) Incentive spirometry
C) Diuretics
D) Anticoagulants
15. The most serious complication of immobility after surgery is:
A) Constipation
B) Atelectasis
C) Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
D) Urinary retention
Cardiovascular Disorders
16. The "5 P's" of a neurovascular assessment are:
A) Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis
B) Pressure, Pallor, Pulse, Position, Pain
