Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questions, set 25
Nursing textbooks · medical-surgical
Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questionsset 25
You practice adult health stems across systems, then name the action that changes the outcome. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the Nursing textbooks exam guide or more Nursing textbooks practice questions.
Five medical-surgical questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
A patient who undergoes hemodialysis three times weekly is on a fluid restriction of 1000 mL/day. The nurse sees the patient drinking a 355-mL (12 ounce) soft drink after the patient has already reached the maximum intake of fluid for the day. What action should the nurse take?
A. Take the soft drink away from the patient and inform the dialysis nurse to remove extra fluid from the patient during the next dialysis treatment
B. Document the patients behavior as noncompliant and notify the physician
C. Further restrict the patients fluid for the following day and communicate this information to the charge nurse
D. Reinforce the importance of the fluid restriction and document the teaching and the intake of extra fluid
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Reinforce the importance of the fluid restriction and document the teaching and the intake of extra fluid
Management of chronic conditions includes learning to live with symptoms or disabilities and coming to terms with identity changes resulting from having a chronic condition. It also consists of carrying out the lifestyle changes and regimens designed to control symptoms and to prevent complications. Although it may be difficult for nurses and other health care providers to stand by while patients make unwise decisions about their health, they must accept the fact that the patient has the right to make his or her own choices and decisions about lifestyle and health care.
Question 2
What statement is correct about young children who report sexual abuse?
A. They may exhibit various behavioral manifestations.
B. In more than half the cases, the child has fabricated the story.
C. Their stories should not be believed unless other evidence is apparent.
D. They should be able to retell the story the same way to another person.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — They may exhibit various behavioral manifestations.
Victims of sexual abuse have no typical profile. The child may exhibit various behavioral manifestations, none of which is diagnostic for sexual abuse. When children report potentially sexually abusive experiences, their reports need to be taken seriously. Other children in the household also need to be evaluated. In one study, approximately 96% of children who were sexually abused had normal genital and anal findings. The ability to retell the story is partly dependent on the childs cognitive level. Children who repeatedly tell identical stories may have been coached.
Question 3
A patient who is trying to become pregnant asks the nurse about ways to determine when she is most likely to conceive. Which of the following information is the basis of the nurses' response?
A. Ovulation prediction kits provide accurate information about ovulation.
B. Ovulation is difficult to predict unless she has regular menstrual periods.
C. She will need to bring a specimen of cervical mucus to the clinic for testing.
D. She should take her body temperature daily and have intercourse when it drops.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Ovulation prediction kits provide accurate information about ovulation.
Ovulation prediction kits indicate when luteinizing hormone (LH) levels first rise. Ovulation occurs about 28-36 hours after the first rise of LH. This information can be used to determine the best time for intercourse. Body temperature rises at ovulation. Postcoital cervical smears are used in infertility testing, but they do not predict the best time for conceiving and are not obtained by the patient. Determination of the time of ovulation can be predicted by basal body temperature charts or ovulation prediction kits and is not dependent on regular menstrual periods.
Question 4
The nurse is caring for a client and family member who are distressed about not having a concrete medical diagnosis. The client states, 'I have been through a lot of tests, and I still know nothing.' When confirming a psychobiologic diagnosis, the nurse is most accurate to state which of the following?
A. We should have the conclusion of the tests soon. Hang in there.
B. Diagnosis takes time to consult the specialist and to get those reports.
C. Confirmation is achieved by ruling out other diseases that manifest similar symptoms.
D. Psychotherapy will provide the best data to make a diagnosis.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Confirmation is achieved by ruling out other diseases that manifest similar symptoms.
Unfortunately, it has time to obtain a definitive diagnosis for a psychobiologic disorder. Diagnosis is frequently achieved by ruling out other diseases which manifest similar signs and symptoms. Stating the circumstances in the delay in diagnosis is the best and most accurate explanation. Simply saying that the tests will conclude soon and that it takes time to receive reports from specialists is general and does not assist the client in understanding why waiting for the reports is necessary. Psychotherapy provides a component of assessment data but not the best data.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client newly admitted to the emergency department. The nurse obtains the following vital signs: temperature, 101.6???F; pulse rate, 92 beats/minute; respiratory rate, 28 breaths/minute; and blood pressure, 160/90 mmHg. The client appears disheveled and disoriented. Upon physical assessment, the nurse notes restlessness and muscle spasms with rigidity. Which documented finding in the health history is evaluated as a potential causative factor?
A. Mixing antibiotics with psychotherapeutic medications
B. Changing from one psychotherapeutic to another
C. Initiating psychotherapeutic drug therapy
D. Combining dairy products with psychotherapeutics
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Changing from one psychotherapeutic to another
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that results from elevated levels of serotonin in the blood secondary to drug therapy. When reviewing the client's medication history and relating the symptoms assessed, the nurse relates the client's status with changing from one psychotherapeutic to another psychotherapeutic medication as a potential causative factor. There is no correlation from the client symptoms to combining antibiotic therapy with psychotherapeutics, initiating psychotherapeutics, or combining dairy products with psychotherapeutics.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.
Ten more Nursing textbooks medical-surgical questions
Stems and choices stay public so you can still reason. Correct answers and full rationales unlock with the rest of the bank.
Question 6
A client with rheumatoid arthritis expresses not feeling the need to take medication any longer since being in remission without symptoms. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. If you don't take your medication, you will become very ill.'
B. Be sure to let the physician know after you stop your medications.'
C. It is important that you continue to take your medication to avoid an acute exacerbation.'
D. As long as you are not having symptoms, you can take a medication vacation.'
Correct answer:
Even with remission, most people must continue taking prescribed medications to avoid another acute exacerbation. The client should be encouraged to maintain the therapeutic regimen in order to avoid an exacerbation and prolong the period of remission as long as possible. The client should notify the physician if considering discontinuation of the medication. The nurse is not at liberty to allow the client to discontinue medication use. Stating that discontinuing the medication will cause the client to become ill does not provide an adequate explanation to the client.
A nurse has been asked to witness a patient signature on an informed consent form for surgery. What communication from the surgeon does the nurse expect the patient to receive before signing the form? Select all that apply.
A. Option of nontreatment
B. Underlying disease process and its natural course
C. Notice that once the form is signed, the patient cannot withdraw the consent
D. Explanation of the guaranteed outcome of the procedure or treatment
E. Name and qualifications of the provider of the procedure or treatment
Correct answer:
The information communicated while obtaining informed consent includes the description of the procedure or treatment; potential alternative therapies; the option of nontreatment; the underlying disease process and its natural course; the name and qualifications of the health care provider performing the procedure or treatment; explanation of the risks and benefits; explanation that the patient has the right to refuse treatment; explanation that consent can be withdrawn; and explanation of expected (not guaranteed) outcome, recovery, and rehabilitation plan and course.
A client diagnosed with HIV infection is receiving HAART. The client, who is alert and oriented, complains of anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. He has lost 10 pounds in the last 6 weeks. Additional assessment reveals pale, pink skin without any irritation or breakdown. He denies any complaints of pain. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse identify as the priority for this client?
A. Risk for Injury
B. Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
C. Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
D. Acute Pain
E. Ineffective Coping
Correct answer:
The client's complaints along with his weight loss strongly suggest a nursing diagnosis of Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements as a priority. The client is alert and oriented, so his risk for injury is significantly low. There is no evidence of impaired skin integrity at present. However, this may become a concern if the client begins to?ª???ª??? experience skin breakdown secondary to his poor nutritional status. The client denies any pain, so Acute Pain would be inappropriate. Ineffective Coping is not supported by the provided assessment data.
As an intraoperative nurse, you know that the patients emotional state can influence the outcome of his or her surgical procedure. How would you best reinforce the patients ability to influence outcome?
A. Teach the patient strategies for distraction.
B. Pair the patient with another patient who has better coping strategies.
C. Incorporate cultural and religious considerations, as appropriate.
D. Give the patient antianxiety medication.
Correct answer:
Because the patients emotional state remains a concern, the care initiated by preoperative nurses is continued by the intraoperative nursing staff that provides the patient with information and reassurance. The nurse supports coping strategies and reinforces the patients ability to influence outcomes by encouraging active participation in the plan of care incorporating cultural, ethnic, and religious considerations, as appropriate. Buddying a patient is normally inappropriate and distraction may or may not be effective. Nonpharmacologic measures should be prioritized.
A middle-aged client has scheduled a sick visit to the physician's office, reporting symptoms of lower back pain with exacerbation upon movement. The nurse draws a picture of the components of the spinal cord and surrounding structures and shows potential causes of the pain. Which area of the drawing would the nurse emphasize?
A. Spinal cord pathway
B. Nucleus pulposus
C. Bony vertebrae
D. Associated musculature
Correct answer:
Pressure on the spinal nerve roots result from trauma, herniated disks, and tumors. The nurse would emphasize the nucleus pulposus as a common area of problem. Stress caused by poor body mechanics, age, or disease weakens an area in the vertebra, causing the spongy center of the vertebra, the nucleus pulposus, to swell and herniate. The spinal cord pathway can cause symptoms of numbness and tingling. The bony vertebrae can present symptoms when fractures and bony fragments occur. Associated musculature pulling can place the vertebrae out of alignment causing symptoms.
The nurse is reviewing ways to foster effective coping skills with a client who has an anxiety disorder. What should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.
A. Re-establish priorities and strike a healthy balance between work and play.
B. Engage in a daily exercise program.
C. Learn about stress management education and join a support group.
D. Avoid verbalizing or writing about feelings of anxiety.
E. Delay stressful tasks as desired.
Correct answer:
The nurse should suggest re-establishing priorities and striking a healthy balance between work and play, engaging in a daily exercise program, pursuing stress management education, and joining a support group as ways to foster effective coping skills. The client should be encouraged to clearly state feelings or write about them in a diary if verbalizing dramatic or angry thoughts is difficult. The nurse should also discuss time management techniques such as avoiding procrastination; therefore, delaying stressful tasks as desired would not be included in the teaching.
The nurse is evaluating the comprehension of a client's knowledge of the subcutaneous administration of an anticoagulant medication. Which method provides the best feedback?
A. Having the client explain the medication and injection site
B. Having the client demonstrate the injection technique on an orange
C. Having the client watch the nurse prepare the medication and administer it
D. Having the client prepare the syringe and independently administer the injection
Correct answer:
Having the client prepare the syringe and independently administer the injection is the 'show back' portion of learning comprehension because it includes demonstrating the skill. By independently demonstrating, the nurse is able to evaluate the knowledge base and skill. Having the client watch the nurse administer the medication involves teaching, but not performing the skill. Having the client explain the medication and injection site or administer the injection into an orange demonstrates parts of the skill but does not allow the nurse to evaluate the entire skill.
A client who is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa agrees to participate in a recovery program. Which comment by the client indicates the best understanding of the recovery process?
A. Once I gain a few pounds, I will be fine.
B. If I take antidepressants, my compulsive symptoms will resolve.
C. Pulsive therapy could help me lose weight.
D. I may need to work on this for the remainder of my life.
Correct answer:
Multiple biologic, psychological, and social factors influence the development of eating disorders. Recovery is considered a long and costly process, with fewer than 50% of clients achieving recovery over 5 years. Counseling and involvement in self-help groups for several years are often indicated. Because there is a link between eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this may be a lifelong recovery plan. Gaining a few pounds is an appropriate first step to recovery. Antidepressants are often used to control the serotonin levels associated with anorexia.
A patient was fitted with an arm cast after fracturing her humerus. Twelve hours after the application of the cast, the patient tells the nurse that her arm hurts. Analgesics do not relieve the pain. What would be the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Prepare the patient for opening or bivalving of the cast.
B. Obtain an order for a different analgesic.
C. Encourage the patient to wiggle and move the fingers.
D. Petal the edges of the patients cast.
Correct answer:
Acute compartment syndrome involves a sudden and severe decrease in blood flow to the tissues distal to an area of injury that results in ischemic necrosis if prompt, decisive intervention does not occur. Removing or bivalving the cast is necessary to relieve pressure. Ordering different analgesics does not address the underlying problem. Encouraging the patient to move the fingers or perform range-of-motion exercises will not treat or prevent compartment syndrome. Petaling the edges of a cast with tape prevents abrasions and skin breakdown, not compartment syndrome.
A nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) is planning care to reduce inappropriate sensory stimulation to their patients. Which interventions could the nurse include in the care plan? Select all that apply.
A. Providing bright mobiles and objects for the neonate to look at
B. Rocking the neonate frequently, especially when crying
C. Maintaining reduced ambient light, similar to conditions in the womb
D. Reducing vestibular stimulation, such as rocking
E. Playing music or singing to the neonate to stimulate hearing
Correct answer:
The neonatal ICU may be a source of excess sensory stimulation. It is recommended that medically fragile infants receive limited light (visual stimuli) to simulate being in the womb as well as reduced vestibular stimulation. The nurse avoids activities that promote stimulation in this population including soothing, holding, rocking, and changes of position (tactile and kinesthetic sensations), singing and speaking to the neonate (auditory sensations), and changing patterns of light and shade, such as through the use of mobiles and bright objects (visual sensations).
About these Nursing textbooks medical-surgical questions
Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questions, set 25 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the Nursing textbooks exam guide.
The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.