Medical Surgical Nursing
Medical Surgical Nursing
Medical Surgical Nursing
Teodoro PTRP, RN
1. A home care nurse is preparing to visit a client with a
diagnosis of Menieres disease. The nurse reviews the
physicians orders and expects to note that which of the
following dietary measures will be prescribed?
A. low fiber diet with decreased fluids
B. low sodium diet and fluid restriction
C. low carbohydrate diet and elimination of red meats
D. low fat with restriction of citrus fruits
2. A nurse is assigned to care for a client who has just
undergone eye surgery. The nurse plans to instruct the client
that which of the following activities is permitted in the
postoperative period?
A. reading
B. watching television
C. bending over
D. lifting objects
3. A nurse is instilling an otic solution into an adult clients left
ear. The nurse avoids doing which of the following as part of
this procedure?
A. warming the solution to room temperature
B. placing the client in a side lying position with the ear
facing up
C. pulling the auricle backward and upward
D. placing the tip of the dropper on the edge of the
ear canal
4. A client has undergone surgery for glaucoma. The nurse
provides which discharge instructions to the clients?
A. wound healing usually takes 12 weeks
B. expected the vision will be permanently impaired
C. a shield or eye patch should be worn to protect the
eye
D. the sutures are removed after 1 week
5. Which assessment findings provide the best evidence that
a client with acute angle-closure glaucoma is responding to
drug therapy?
A. swelling of the eyelids decreases
B. redness of the sclera is reduced
C. eye pain is reduced or eliminated
D. peripheral vision is diminished
6. At the time of retinal detachment, a client most likely
describes which symptoms?
A. a seeing flashes of light
B. being unable to see light
C. feeling discomfort in light
D. seeing poorly in daylight
7. The most important health teaching the nurse can provide
to the client with conjunctivitis is to:
A. eat a well balanced, nutritious diet
B. wear sunglasses in bright light
C. cease sharing towels and washcloths
D. avoid products containing aspirin
8. When the nurse prepares the client or the myringotomy,
the best explanation as to the purpose for the procedures is
that it will:
A. prevent permanent hearing loss
B. provide a pathway for drainage
C. aid in administering medications
D. maintain motion of the ear bones
9. A nurse is reviewing the record of the client with a disorder
involving the inner ear. Which of the following would the nurse
expect to see documented as an assessment finding in this
client?
A. severe hearing loss
B. complaints of severe pain in the affected ear
C. complaints of burning in the ear
D. complaints of tinnitus
10. A client with a conduction hearing loss asks the nurse how
a hearing aid improves hearing. The nurse most accurately
informs the client that a hearing aid:
A. amplifies sound heard
B. makes sounds sharper and clearer
C. produces more distinct, crisp, speech
D. eliminates garbled background sounds
11. Which nursing action is best for controlling the clients
nosebleed?
A. have the client lay down slowly and swallow frequently
B. have the client lay down and breathe through his mouth
C. have the client lean forward and apply direct
pressure
D. have the client lean forward and clench his teeth
68. When the client describes her discomfort to the nurse she
is most likely to indicate that the pain she experiences
becomes worse:
A. shortly after eating
B. especially on an empty stomach
C. following periods of activities
D. before rising in the morning
69. When the nurse empties the drainage in the Jackson Pratt
bulb reservoir. Which nursing action is essential for
reestablishing the negative pressure within this drainage
device?
A. the nurse compresses the bulb reservoir and closes
the drainage valve
B. the nurse opens the drainage valve, allowing the bulb to
fill with air
C. the nurse fill the bulb reservoir with sterile normal saline
D. the nurse secures the bulb reservoir to the skin near the
wound
70. When the client asks the nurse how she acquired hepatitis
A, the best answer is that a common route of hepatitis. A
transmission is from:
A. fecal contamination
B. insect carries
C. infected blood
D. wound drainage
71. It is essential that the nurse inform the client with
hepatitis B that for the remainder of his lifetime he must
avoid:
A. sexual activity
B. donating blood
C. excessive caffeine
D. foreign travel
72. Which nursing action is appropriate prior to assisting with
the paracentesis?
A. the nurse asks the client to void
B. the nurse withholds food and water
C. the nurse cleanses the clients abdomen with Betadine
D. the nurse obtains a suction machine from storage room
73. Which statements provides the best evidence that a client
with colostomy is adjusting to the change in body image?
A. the client wears loose-fitting garments
B. the client takes a shower each day
C. the client empties the appliance
D. the client avoids foods that form gas
74. A previously health client comes to the emergency
department complaining of severe nausea and vomiting hours
after eating in a restaurant. Which assessment question best
determines if a food borne pathogen is the cause of the
clients syndrome?
A. what food did you eat?
B. did you take something for you nausea?
C. did your food look spoiled?
D. have you ever had food poisoning?
75. A nurse is caring for a client with peptic ulcer. In assessing
the client for gastrointestinal perforation (GI), the nurse
monitors for:
A. increase bowel sounds
B. sudden, severe abdominal pain
C. positive Guaiac test
D. slow, strong pulse
76. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to
make before advancing a client from liquid to solid food?
A. increase bowel sounds
B. appetite
C. presence of bowel sounds
D. chewing ability
with the client, the nurse explains to him that the one food
that caused this problem was:
A. cabbage
C. tapioca
B. eggs
D. fried chicken
45. The nurse is caring for a client with folic acid
deficiency. The nurse recalls that one of the most frequent
causes of folic acid deficiency is:
A. poor nutritional intake due to alcoholism
B. lack of absorption of the intrinsic factor
C. a diet that consists of vegetables only and no meat
D. a complicated pregnancy during the second trimester
46. When planning care for a patient who is pancytopenic, the
major goal should be:
A. prevent hemorrhage and infection
B. administering an oral iron preparation
C. preventing fatigue and fluid overload
D. encouraging consumption of a neutropenic diet
47. when explaining different effects of chemotherapy to
students, the nurse correctly identifies which group of
chemotherapy drugs that does not affect DNA synthesis to kill
tumor cells?
A. hormones
C. antimetabolites
B. vinca alkalosis D. alkylating agents
48. The nurse evaluates the clients ability to self-monitor
blood glucose level at home. What information BEST indicates
the average degree of diabetes control during the past 2 to 4
months?
A. serum glycosylated hemoglobin
B. postprandial blood glucose level
C. a written record of daily blood glucose levels
D. a written record of daily double voided urine glucose levels
39. The nurse knows that the recommended diet for a client
with Addisons disease includes:
A. 1 mg. Na
C. low fat, low cholesterol
B. 3 gms. Na
D. high potassium, high cholesterol
49. Which of the findings would the nurse most likely note
during an Addisonian crisis?
A. serum potassium of 3 mEq/L, BP=158/72 mmHg
B. serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L, BP=62/48 mmHg
C. serum sodium of 150 mEq/L, BP= 158/72
D. serum sodium of 135 mEq/L, BP=62/48
52. The nurse assesses the oral cavity of a client with cancer
and notes white patches on the mucous membranes. The
nurse determines that this occurrence:
A. is common
B. is characteristic of thrush infection
C. indicates that oral hygiene need to be improved
D. suggests that the client is anemic
B. prevent stomatitis
D. prevent diarrhea
72. The client being seen in a physicians office has just been
schedule for a barium swallow the next day. The nurse writes
down which of the following instructions for the client to follow
before the test?
A. removal all metal and jewelry before the test
B. eat regular supper and breakfast
C. continue to take all oral medication as scheduled
D. monitor own bowel movement pattern for constipation
73. The client is diagnosed with bleed and the bleeding has
been controlled antacid are prescribed to be administered
every hour. The nurse should plan on maintaining an
approximately gastric pH of:
A. 3 B. 9 C. 6 D. 15
74. The nurse is caring for a client following a Billroth II
Procedure. On review of the post-operative orders, which of
the following, if prescribed, does the nurse question and
verify?
A. irrigating the NG tube
B. coughing and deep breathing exercises
C. leg exercises
D. early ambulation
75. A client who has a peptic ulcer is schedule for a
vagotomy. The client asks about the purpose of this
procedure. The BEST nursing response is which of the
following?
A. decreases food absorption in the stomach
B. heal the gastric mucosa
C. halts stress reaction
D. reduces the stimulus to acid secretion
76. The nurse ins monitoring a client for the early signs and
symptoms of dumping syndrome. Which of the following
syndrome indicate this occurrence?
A. abdominal cramping and pain
B. bradycardia and indigestion
C. sweating and pallor
D. double vision and chest pain
77. The nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient with a
diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. When assessing the client,
which finding, if noted, would the nurse report to the
physician?
A. bloody diarrhea C. hemoglobin level of 12 mg/dl
B. hypotension
D. rebound tenderness
78. The nurse is providing discharge instruction to a client
following gastrectomy which of the following measures will
the nurse instruct the client to the following assist in
preventing dumping syndrome?
A. eat high carbonated food
B. limit the fluid taking with food
C. ambulate following a meal
D. sit in a high-fowlers position during meals
79. The nurse is caring for a client post-operatively following
the creation of a colostomy. Which of the ff. nursing diagnosis
does the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. altered nutrition; more than body requirements
B. body image disturbance
C. fear related to poor diagnosis
D. sexual dysnfunction
80. The nurse is reviewing the record of the client with
Crohns disease. Which of the following stool characteristic
does the nurse expect to note in this client?
A. bloody stool
B. diarrhea
C. constipation alternating with diarrhea
D. stool constantly oozing from the rectum
81. The client with cirrhosis has ascites and a fluid volume
excess. Which measure will the nurse include in the plan of
care for this client?
A. increase the amount of sodium in diet
B. restrict the amount of fluids consumed
C. encourage ambulation frequently
D. administer magnesium antacids
82. The client with ascites is schedule for a paracentesis. The
nurse is assisting the physician in performing the
procedure. Which of the following positions will the nurse
assist the client to assume for this procedure?
A. supine
C. right side lying
B. left side lying D. upright
83. An ultrasound of the gallbladder is schedule for the client
with a suspect diagnosis of cholecystitis. The nurse explain to
the client that this test:
B. boiled rice
D. low-fat cheese
93. The client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The
nurse assesses the client in the immediate postoperatively
period for which of the following most frequent complications
of this type of surgery?
A. intestinal obstruction
B. fluid and electrolyte imbalance
C. malabsorption of fat
D. folate deficiency
D. constipation
83. The nurse explains to a client who has just received the
diagnosis of type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
(NIDDM) that sulfonylureas, one group of oral hypoglycemic
agents, as act by:
A. stimulating the pancreas to produce or release
insulin
B. making the insulin that is produce more available for use
C. lowering the blood sugar by facilitating the uptake and
utilization of glucose
D. altering both fat and protein metabolism
84. A client has been admitted to the hospital with a tentative
diagnosis of adrenocortical hyperfucntion. In assessing the
client, an observable sign the nurse would chart is:
A. butterfly rash on the face
B. moon face
C. positive Chvosteks sign
D. bloated extremities
85. The nurse is teaching a diabetic client to monitor glucose
using a glucometer. The nurse will know the client is
competent in performing her finger-stick to obtain blood when
she:
A. uses a ball of a finger as the puncture site
B. uses the side of fingertip as the puncture site
C. avoid using the fingers of her dominant hand as puncture
sites
D. avoid using the thumbs as puncture sites
71. Because of the nature of Mr. Lees wound and the insertion
of a Steinmann pin, it is especially important that the nurse
observe for
A. a foul odor
B. foot drop
C. pulmonary congestion
D. fecal impaction
72. Mr. Lee develops an acute localized osteomyelitis. He is
placed on intravenous antibiotic therapy. The wound is
incised and drained, and neomycin irrigations are ordered four
times a day. It is important that these irrigations be
performed
A. with strict aseptic techniques
B. with a warm solution
C. for at least 5 minutes
D. at equal time intervals
Situation: Maria Alfredo is a 30-year old married woman who
has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
73. While doing as nursing history on Mrs. Alfredo, the nurse
should recognize that the most common initial symptoms of
SLE are
A. petechiae in the skin, nosebleeds, and pallor
B. hematuria, increased blood pressure, and edema
C. tachycardia, tremors, and loss of weight
D. painful muscles and joints, stiffness, and
inflammation of joints
74. Mrs. Afredo is instituted on long-term prednisone
therapy. Her daily maintenance dose is 5 mg/day. In the
instructions to Mrs. Alfredo, the nurse should emphasize that
A. once the symptoms of SLE subside, the medication will
be discontinued gradually
B. a weight gain 2 pounds per week should be reported to
the physician
C. the maintenance dose will be the lowest dose
that controls symptoms
D. if adrenal atrophy occurs, adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH) will have to be prescribed
75. Mrs. Alfredo questions the nurse about family planning
and birth control. Which of the following choices should the
nurse include in her answer?
A. oral contraceptives can precipitate an acute
exacerbation of your condition
B. Intrauterine devices are the recommended brithcontrol
measures
C. there are no contraindications for pregnancy, as long as
the disease is being treated
D. studies indicate that the corticosteroids produce fetal
damage
76. The nursing care plan states, Observe for signs of
Raynauds phenomenon. The nurse should recognize that
this phenomenon
A. occurs as a side effect of prednisone
B. is aggravated by smoking
C. is relieved by application of cold compresses to the
hands
D. is the priority care
77. Although many abnormal laboratory findings are found in
SLE, there is no one specific diagnostic test. The test that is
positive in over 95 percent of all patients with SLE is the blood
test for
A. the lupus erythematosus (LE) factor
B. the rheumatoid factor
C. antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
D. C-reactive protein (CRP)
78. The teaching program for Mrs. Alfredo planned by the
nurse should include emphasis on which of the following?
A. once the symptoms are controlled, the corticosteroids
will be discontinued
B. if hair loss occurs, it is irreversible
B. hydrocortisone
C. atropine sulfate
D. edrophonium chloride (Tensilon)
101. The medication used to treat cholinergic crisis
A. atropine sulfate
B. neostigmine (Prostigmin)
C. aminophylline
D. hydrocortisone
102. The physician has prescribed pyridostigmine (Mestinon),
180 mg/day. Ms. R tells the nurse that each time she takes
the medication she feels nauseated. The nurse should tell Ms.
R to
A. crush the tablet before taking it
B. take the tablet with food or milk
C. take the tablet on an empty stomach
D. not to take the medication until she notifies the
physician
Mr. Go, who has had Parkinsosns disease for 4 years, visits his
wife daily during her hospital stay. His illness is being treated
with levodopa (L-dopa).
103. When Mr. Go visits his wife, he is observed to be walking
rather slowly. The nurse should recognize that Mr. Go is
A. exhibiting a long-range side effect of L-dopa
B. exhibiting a symptom that is characteristic of
stage II Parkinsons disease
C. beginning to experience atrophy of the cerebral cortex
and cellular changes
D. probably doing this on purpose as a way of
104. The nurse can help him to be more comfortable by
A. discussing this problem and how he handles it,
and discussing hygiene measures with him
B. opening the windows and providing as much ventilation
as possible while he is visiting
C. suggesting that he is probably dressing too warmly for
the hospital environment
D. explaining that this is a side effect of his medication,
and encouraging increased intake of fluids
Situation: Mr. go has a sudden exacerbation of symptoms. He
develops tachycardia, a respiratory rate of 40, and appears
extremely anxious. He is hospitalized with a diagnosis of
parkinsonian crisis.
105. Planning for Mr. Gos care should include measures to
A. provide a quiet, restful environment
B. maintain joint range of motion
C. decrease social isolation
D. improve his nutritional status
106. Mr. Go responds to treatment, and his condition gradually
improves. However, he complains that he feels dizzy
whenever he tries to stand up from a lying position. The nurse
should
A. explain that this is just part of his illness
B. tell him that his doctor will be notified of this symptom
C. encourage him to change his position slowly
D. discuss his feelings about his wifes hospitalization
107. Mr. Go has problems in dressing himself as a result of
tremors, but he refuses all assistance. Which of the following
is the best initial action by the nurse in response to this
complaint?
A. tell him he needs assistance, and gradually help him
B. give him more time and encouragement to dress
himself
C. suggest that for the present he wear only the hospital
gown
D. listen to his refusal, but give him assistance as needed
108. Mr. Go discusses his work as an accountant with the
nurse. He states that he his glad that he will be able to
continue working. An appropriate initial response would be
based on the nurses recognition that he
A. should be encouraged to be active