Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questions, set 39
Nursing textbooks · medical-surgical
Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questionsset 39
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
The nurse is to administer a potassium supplement to the client. The nurse does not check the potassium level prior to administering the medication and later finds that the potassium level was at a critical high. What principle has this nurse violated?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm to the client. For instance, if a nurse fails to check a prescription for an unusually high dose of insulin and administers it, the nurse has violated the principle of nonmaleficence. Beneficence is the duty to do good for the clients assigned to the nurse's care. The nurse has a duty to remove wrist restraints whenever possible (removing a harm) and to help the client regain independence (promoting and doing good). Fidelity is the duty to maintain commitments of professional obligations and responsibilities. Autonomy refers to a client's right to self-determination or the freedom to make choices without opposition.
Question 2
The nurse is administering a medication to a client for the treatment of constipation. The client expresses preferring not to take the medication today. The nurse respects the client's right and says if the client needs it later, just let the nurse know. What professional value is the nurse displaying?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Fidelity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Autonomy
Autonomy refers to a client's right to self-determination or the freedom to make choices without opposition. Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm to the client. If a nurse fails to check a prescription for an unusually high dose of insulin and administers it, the nurse has violated the principle of nonmaleficence. Beneficence is the duty to do good for the clients assigned to the nurse's care. The nurse has a duty to remove wrist restraints whenever possible (removing a harm) and to help the client regain independence (promoting and doing good). Fidelity is the duty to maintain commitments of professional obligations and responsibilities.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for an alert and oriented client in the hospital. The client is unhappy with the care the hospital is giving and states they are leaving the hospital. The nurse brings the client a sedative and tells the client that it is for blood pressure to prevent the client from leaving the facility. What type of intentional tort is this nurse guilty of?
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. False imprisonment
D. Invasion of privacy
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — False imprisonment
False imprisonment occurs when healthcare workers physically or chemically restrain an individual from leaving a healthcare institution. A nurse cannot detain a competent client who wishes to leave a hospital or long-term care facility before being discharged by the physician. The client may sign an against medical advice form that releases the hospital from liability. Assault is an act that involves a threat or attempt to do bodily harm. Battery is actual physical contact with another person without that person's consent. Invasion of privacy means the failure of the right to expect that the clients and their property will be left alone.
Question 4
A patient with migraines does not know whether she is receiving a placebo for pain management or the new drug that is undergoing clinical trials. Upon discussing the patients distress, it becomes evident to the nurse that the patient did not fully understand the informed consent document that she signed. Which ethical principle is most likely involved in this situation?
A. Sanctity of life
B. Confidentiality
C. Veracity
D. Fidelity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Veracity
Telling the truth (veracity) is one of the basic principles of our culture. Three ethical dilemmas in clinical practice that can directly conflict with this principle are the use of placebos (nonactive substances used for treatment), not revealing a diagnosis to a patient, and revealing a diagnosis to persons other than the patient with the diagnosis. All involve the issue of trust, which is an essential element in the nursepatient relationship. Sanctity of life is the perspective that life is the highest good. Confidentiality deals with privacy of the patient. Fidelity is promise-keeping and the duty to be faithful to ones commitments.
Question 5
A nursing instructor is describing the importance of preventing errors in medication administration and doses. Which of the following would the instructor emphasize as the best method for detecting errors?
A. Checking calculations three times
B. Having each person involved in the process check the dosage
C. Reading drug labels very carefully
D. Checking the dosage in a reputable drug reference
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Having each person involved in the process check the dosage
The best method of error detection is the manual redundancy system. This is a system in which each person in the process of medication prescription and delivery checks the drug dosage for accuracy. Nurses use this system when they perform the 5 rights and 3 checks to catch a potential error in drug administration. Double checking calculations and reading labels carefully are important, but they are not the best method for detecting errors. Checking the dosage in a reputable drug reference would help to ensure that the dosage is within the safe dosage range, but this would do nothing to ensure that the dosage is accurate.
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 charge nurse meets with staff to outline a plan to provide transcultural nursing care for patients in their health care facility. The charge nurse explains that transcultural care as the central theme of nursing care, knowledge, and practice was promoted by which theorist?
A. Madeline Leininger
B. Jean Watson
C. Dorothy E. Johnson
D. Betty Newman
Correct answer:
Madeline Leininger's theory provides the foundations of transcultural nursing care by making caring the central theme of nursing. Jean Watson stated that nursing is concerned with promoting and restoring health, preventing illness, and caring for the sick. The central theme of Dorothy E. Johnson's theory is that problems arise because of disturbances in the system or subsystem or functioning below optimal level. Betty Newman proposed that humans are in constant relationship with stressors in the environment and the major nursing focus is keeping the patient system stable through accurate assessment of these stressors.
An LPN is at a community softball game observing the game when a person sitting nearby clutches the chest and falls to the ground. The nurse begins cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and in the process, one of the person's ribs cracks. The client is taken by rescue squad to the hospital and survives a heart attack. What may protect the nurse from this outcome?
A. The state board of nursing
B. Statute of limitations
C. Good Samaritan law
D. Assumption of risk
Correct answer:
Many states have enacted Good Samaritan laws, which provide legal immunity for rescuers who provide first aid to accident victims in an emergency. The law defines an emergency as one occurring outside a hospital, not in an emergency department. Statute of limitations is the designated time in which a person can file a lawsuit. Assumption of risk is if a client is forewarned of a potential safety hazard and chooses to ignore the warning; the court may hold the client responsible. The state board of nursing would not be involved unless the nurse was reported for negligent or care outside of the scope of practice.
Which of the following demonstrate culturally competent care of the pregnant patient?
A. Discuss beliefs with the patient and incorporate them in the plan of care.
B. Prohibit visits from anyone other than immediate family members.
C. Require the patient's participation in every aspect of the health care system.
D. Maintain the patient's modesty at all times.
E. Strive to maintain a harmonious environment for the patient.
Correct answer:
The nurse should discuss the patient's cultural beliefs and incorporate as many as possible into the plan of care. Modesty is important in almost all cultures, and the nurse should take measures to ensure the patient's modesty. Absence of a stressful environment is important for a positive outcome for both mother and baby, and the nurse should strive to alleviate stress and maintain a harmonious environment. Many cultures will foster relationships, and visits from extended family members may be important. The patient may not participate in all aspects of the health care system due to cultural issues.
The nursing student asks the instructor why it is important for them to know about the law and ethics when they will be taking care of client's physical and psychosocial needs and not be practicing law. What is the best response by the instructor?
A. You will need to understand these things if you are ever sued.'
B. This is part of the curriculum, so we have to cover this material.'
C. You will probably never encounter any difficulty, but it is good to know just in case it happens.'
D. You will need a basic understanding of laws and ethics because it may affect your practice.'
Correct answer:
The healthcare delivery system affects and is affected by societal beliefs, values, and laws. Nurses today require a basic understanding of laws and ethics that may affect their practice. Issues related to competence, safety, and optimal care; protecting client's rights; and practicing according to professional standards of care are of most concern to nurses. Being sued is not the only issue that a nurse may face in their practice and does not cover the ethical portion of practice. The answer regarding the curriculum does not answer the question and demeans the importance of the topic.
A recent nursing graduate is aware of the differences between nursing actions that are independent and nursing actions that are interdependent. A nurse performs an interdependent nursing intervention when performing which of the following actions?
A. Auscultating a patients apical heart rate during an admission assessment
B. Providing mouth care to a patient who is unconscious following a cerebrovascular accident
C. Administering an IV bolus of normal saline to a patient with hypotension
D. Providing discharge teaching to a postsurgical patient about the rationale for a course of oral antibiotics
Correct answer:
Although many nursing actions are independent, others are interdependent, such as carrying out prescribed treatments, administering medications and therapies, and collaborating with other health care team members to accomplish specific, expected outcomes and to monitor and manage potential complications. Irrigating a wound, administering pain medication, and administering IV fluids are interdependent nursing actions and require a physicians order. An independent nursing action occurs when the nurse assesses a patients heart rate, provides discharge education, or provides mouth care.
Critical thinking and decision-making skills are essential parts of nursing in all venues. What are examples of the use of critical thinking in the venue of genetics-related nursing?
A. Notifying individuals and family members of the results of genetic testing
B. Providing a written report on genetic testing to an insurance company
C. Assessing and analyzing family history data for genetic risk factors
D. Identifying individuals and families in need of referral for genetic testing
E. Ensuring privacy and confidentiality of genetic information
Correct answer:
Nurses use critical thinking and decision-making skills in providing genetics-related nursing care when they assess and analyze family history data for genetic risk factors, identify those individuals and families in need of referral for genetic testing or counseling, and ensure the privacy and confidentiality of genetic information. Nurses who work in the venue of genetics-related nursing do not notify family members of the results of an individuals genetic testing, and they do not provide written reports to insurance companies concerning the results of genetic testing.
The LPN has been fired from their job at the nursing home and reported to the state board of nursing for giving medication to a client without a physician's prescription. The LPN states not being aware that this was a violation of scope of practice. What is the LPN's responsibility regarding knowing how to practice within their scope?
A. The nurse should call the state board and ask for a list of what LPNs can and cannot do.
B. The nurse should access their state nurse practice act to determine the set standard for nurses in that state.
C. The nurse should ask an RN what their scope of practice is.
D. The nurse should ask another LPN what LPNs can and cannot do.
Correct answer:
Nurse practice acts define nursing practice and set standards for nurses in each state. These legal statues regulate the practice of nursing to protect the health and safety of citizens. Although each state has its own nurse practice act, they all share common components. The LPN should have accessed this information directly from the board website or asked for a written nurse practice act from the state of practice. The nurse practice act does not designate what specific tasks the nurse can and cannot perform. The LPN should not ask others who may not have the answers.
A client has designated a family member as a person to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is not able to do so. What type of advance directive is this considered?
A. Power of attorney
B. Do-not-resuscitate order (DNR)
C. Living will
D. Durable power of attorney (DPOA) for healthcare
Correct answer:
A client may designate another person to be the DPOA for healthcare or healthcare proxy. This person has the authority to make healthcare decisions for the client if the client is no longer competent or able to make these decisions. A general power of attorney does not give that designated person the ability to make healthcare decision. In a DNR order, the client wishes to have no resuscitative action taken in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest. A living will is a document that states a client's wishes regarding healthcare if the client is terminally ill.
The LPN is working in a perioperative setting, and formalin is being used in an unvented room that could result in a health hazard to the other staff as well as clients. The nurse is aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency that will fine the hospital for this type of infraction. What type of law does the LPN understand empowers OSHA to regulate for the health, welfare, and safety of federal and state citizens?
A. Common law
B. Civil law
C. Criminal law
D. Administrative law
Correct answer:
Statutory law empowers regulatory agencies to create and carry out the laws. These federal and regulatory agencies practice administrative law, the rules and regulations that concern the health, welfare, and safety of federal and state citizens. For example, OSHA is the federal agency that develops the rules and regulations governing workplace safety. Common law is based on earlier court decisions, judgments, and decrees. Civil law applies to disputes that arise between individual citizens. Criminal law concerns offenses that violate the public's welfare.
A nurse is conducting qualitative research to study the culture of Native Alaskans and how their diet affects their overall state of health. Which method of research is the nurse using?
A. Historical
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded theory
D. Phenomenology
Correct answer:
Ethnographic research was developed by the discipline of anthropology and is used to examine issues of culture of interest to nurses. Historical research examines events of the past to increase understanding of the nursing profession today. The basis of grounded theory methodology is the discovery of how people describe their own reality and how their beliefs are related to their actions in a social scene. The purpose of phenomenology (both a philosophy and a research method) is to describe experiences as they are lived by the subjects being studied.
About these Nursing textbooks medical-surgical questions
Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questions, set 39 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.
