All Free Medical Surgical Nursing MCQs with Answers
Every Medical Surgical Nursing question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
600 questions · page 1 of 30
- A. Apply moist gauze to the face
- B. Prepare for early endotracheal intubation
- C. Give oral fluids to reduce throat dryness
- D. Wait for chest X-ray confirmation first
Explanation: The findings suggest inhalation injury with developing upper-airway oedema.
Correct answer: Prepare for early endotracheal intubation- A. 2,800 mL
- B. 5,600 mL
- C. 7,000 mL
- D. 14,000 mL
Explanation: The calculation is 4 mL × 70 kg × 20 = 5,600 mL in 24 hours. Half, 2,800 mL, is given during the first 8 hours from the time of the burn…
Correct answer: 5,600 mL- A. Red skin with severe tenderness
- B. Moist blisters with brisk pain
- C. White, leathery skin with reduced sensation
- D. Superficial erythema that blanches fully
Explanation: Full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis, producing a dry, leathery or waxy appearance with reduced sensation because nerve…
Correct answer: White, leathery skin with reduced sensation- A. Elevate the injured leg above the heart
- B. Apply direct pressure to visible bleeding
- C. Offer oral water in small amounts
- D. Begin active range-of-motion exercises
Explanation: The signs indicate shock from possible major blood loss, so controlling external haemorrhage is an immediate circulation priority.
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure to visible bleeding- A. Place the patient in a flat supine position
- B. Prepare for immediate needle decompression
- C. Apply an abdominal binder firmly
- D. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
Explanation: These findings indicate tension pneumothorax, which causes life-threatening obstructive shock by compressing the lung and major vessels.
Correct answer: Prepare for immediate needle decompression- A. Keep the patient flat without head support
- B. Maintain the airway and protect against aspiration
- C. Give a large meal to prevent hypoglycaemia
- D. Encourage walking to assess coordination
Explanation: Reduced consciousness and vomiting create an immediate airway and aspiration risk.
Correct answer: Maintain the airway and protect against aspiration- A. Maintain manual stabilisation and apply a cervical collar
- B. Flex the neck slightly to improve venous drainage
- C. Turn the head toward the painful side during transfer
- D. Sit the patient upright before applying restraints
Explanation: Manual in-line stabilisation and appropriate cervical immobilisation reduce secondary spinal cord injury.
Correct answer: Maintain manual stabilisation and apply a cervical collar- A. Hypotension with tachycardia and cool clammy skin
- B. Hypotension with bradycardia and warm dry skin
- C. Hypertension with bounding pulse and cold skin
- D. Fever with purulent drainage and rapid pulse
Explanation: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic vascular tone and may cause hypotension, bradycardia, and warm dry skin.
Correct answer: Hypotension with bradycardia and warm dry skin- A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and avoid probing it
- B. Irrigate the wound repeatedly with tap water at the bedside
- C. Push exposed bone back under the skin
- D. Apply antibiotic ointment and leave the wound uncovered
Explanation: A sterile dressing protects the wound while preventing additional contamination, and the wound should not be probed or manipulated.
Correct answer: Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and avoid probing it- A. Administer oxygen at a high concentration
- B. Apply a non-rebreather mask only if cyanosis occurs
- C. Encourage oral fluids and observe the patient
- D. Place the patient flat and restrict oxygen therapy
Explanation: Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen delivery even when pulse oximetry appears normal.
Correct answer: Administer oxygen at a high concentration- A. Elevation of the arm above heart level
- B. Immediate application of a tight compression bandage
- C. Escharotomy to release constricting tissue
- D. Routine cleansing with an antiseptic solution
Explanation: A circumferential burn can act like a tourniquet and impair distal circulation.
Correct answer: Escharotomy to release constricting tissue- A. Break every blister before applying the dressing
- B. Apply a clean non-adherent dressing as prescribed
- C. Remove all loose skin with sterile scissors
- D. Cover the area with dry cotton wool directly
Explanation: A clean non-adherent dressing protects the wound and reduces trauma during care.
Correct answer: Apply a clean non-adherent dressing as prescribed- A. Delay all analgesia until the procedure is complete
- B. Use prescribed analgesia with additional non-drug comfort measures
- C. Tell the patient that severe pain is expected after burns
- D. Clean the wound rapidly without explaining the procedure
Explanation: Burn dressing changes are painful, so analgesia should be planned before the procedure and supported with explanation, relaxation, and…
Correct answer: Use prescribed analgesia with additional non-drug comfort measures- A. Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing
- B. Remove any clot that forms over the wound
- C. Irrigate the wound with large amounts of water
- D. Elevate the leg and wait for medical review
Explanation: Firm direct pressure is the first priority for severe external bleeding because it supports circulation by controlling blood loss.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure with a dressing- A. Fat embolism syndrome
- B. Acute compartment syndrome
- C. Venous stasis from bed rest
- D. Simple muscle soreness from the fracture
Explanation: Pain out of proportion, a tense compartment, and pain on passive stretch strongly suggest acute compartment syndrome.
Correct answer: Acute compartment syndrome- A. Position the patient flat to reduce movement
- B. Assess breathing and provide prescribed oxygen
- C. Apply a tight chest binder around the ribs
- D. Encourage repeated coughing without pain relief
Explanation: Breathing is the immediate priority in chest trauma, so respiratory assessment and oxygen support are required.
Correct answer: Assess breathing and provide prescribed oxygen- A. Dry skin around the healing wound
- B. Increasing urine output over the last shift
- C. Hypotension with altered level of consciousness
- D. Mild itching at the edge of the dressing
Explanation: Hypotension with altered consciousness indicates poor organ perfusion and possible septic shock in this context.
Correct answer: Hypotension with altered level of consciousness- A. Warm flushed skin with a slow pulse
- B. Increasing urine output with normal mentation
- C. Reduced urine output with a weak rapid pulse
- D. Bradycardia with warm dry extremities
Explanation: Blood loss reduces circulating volume, causing compensatory tachycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction, followed by reduced renal…
Correct answer: Reduced urine output with a weak rapid pulse- A. Allow the patient to sleep without interruption
- B. Offer oral fluids to prevent dehydration
- C. Report the deterioration immediately and reassess airway
- D. Administer a sedative before repeating the assessment
Explanation: A falling Glasgow Coma Scale score suggests worsening neurological function and may threaten airway protection.
Correct answer: Report the deterioration immediately and reassess airway- A. Dry, leathery skin with absent sensation
- B. Red, moist skin with painful blisters
- C. White, waxy skin with painless tissue
- D. Black, charred skin with exposed bone
Explanation: Superficial partial-thickness burns damage the epidermis and part of the dermis, producing redness, moisture, blisters and marked pain.
Correct answer: Red, moist skin with painful blisters