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 12 of 30
- A. The illuminated pupil constricts and the other pupil also constricts
- B. The illuminated pupil dilates and the other pupil remains unchanged
- C. Both pupils dilate when light is directed into one eye
- D. The illuminated pupil remains fixed while the other pupil constricts
Explanation: A normal pupil shows a direct response in the illuminated eye and a consensual response in the opposite eye.
Correct answer: The illuminated pupil constricts and the other pupil also constricts- A. Reduced production of aqueous humour
- B. Increased production of aqueous humour
- C. Improved drainage of infected conjunctival secretions
- D. Relaxation of the muscles controlling eyelid closure
Explanation: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces aqueous humour production and lowers intraocular pressure.
Correct answer: Reduced production of aqueous humour- A. Mild itching during the first evening
- B. A small amount of watery eye discharge
- C. Sudden worsening of vision with severe eye pain
- D. Slight sensitivity to bright light outdoors
Explanation: Sudden visual loss with severe pain may indicate increased intraocular pressure, infection or another serious postoperative complication.
Correct answer: Sudden worsening of vision with severe eye pain- A. They detect retinal damage before major vision loss develops
- B. They permanently reverse cataract changes in the lens
- C. They prevent all changes in intraocular pressure
- D. They remove floaters caused by vitreous ageing
Explanation: Retinal examinations can identify diabetic retinal changes before symptoms become severe, allowing timely treatment and improved glucose…
Correct answer: They detect retinal damage before major vision loss develops- A. The patient reports mild difficulty hearing
- B. The patient has a history of seasonal allergies
- C. The patient has a suspected perforated tympanic membrane
- D. The patient has used cotton buds in the past
Explanation: Ear irrigation is unsafe when the tympanic membrane may be perforated because fluid can enter the middle ear and cause injury or…
Correct answer: The patient has a suspected perforated tympanic membrane- A. Remove it before bathing and keep it dry
- B. Store it in water overnight to prevent hardening
- C. Clean it with alcohol while the battery remains inside
- D. Increase the volume whenever speech sounds unclear
Explanation: Moisture can damage a hearing aid, so it should be removed before bathing and stored in a dry place.
Correct answer: Remove it before bathing and keep it dry- A. Rise slowly and sit at the bedside before standing
- B. Turn the head rapidly to test whether vertigo remains
- C. Walk without assistance to improve balance quickly
- D. Remain completely flat whenever dizziness occurs
Explanation: Changing position slowly and sitting before standing reduces sudden loss of balance and injury risk.
Correct answer: Rise slowly and sit at the bedside before standing228. A patient with sinusitis is taught to use a saline nasal rinse at home. Which technique is safest?
- A. Use sterile, distilled or previously boiled cooled water
- B. Use untreated tap water directly from the household supply
- C. Share the rinse bottle with another family member
- D. Force the solution strongly through both blocked nostrils
Explanation: Sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water reduces the risk of introducing harmful organisms into the nasal passages.
Correct answer: Use sterile, distilled or previously boiled cooled water- A. Cool clear fluids given in small frequent amounts
- B. Hot tea given quickly to soothe the throat
- C. Red fruit juice given to improve iron intake
- D. Crisp toast given to test swallowing ability
Explanation: Cool clear fluids in small amounts help maintain hydration and are less irritating to the operative area.
Correct answer: Cool clear fluids given in small frequent amounts- A. Over the nose and mouth with a standard face mask
- B. Through the permanent neck stoma using suitable equipment
- C. Under the chin while the patient breathes through the nose
- D. To the side of the neck while the mouth remains uncovered
Explanation: After total laryngectomy, the trachea is permanently separated from the mouth and nose, so the patient breathes only through the neck…
Correct answer: Through the permanent neck stoma using suitable equipment231. Which technique does the nurse use to assess a patient's peripheral visual fields by confrontation?
- A. The patient covers one eye and identifies moving fingers
- B. The patient reads progressively smaller letters
- C. The patient follows a light with both eyes
- D. The patient identifies colors on a printed chart
Explanation: In confrontation testing, the nurse and patient cover opposite eyes and compare the patient's peripheral field with the nurse's field.
Correct answer: The patient covers one eye and identifies moving fingers- A. The treated iris may gradually become darker
- B. The medication commonly causes severe hearing loss
- C. The drops should be stopped when vision improves
- D. The patient should expect complete loss of night vision
Explanation: Latanoprost can increase eyelash growth and cause gradual, often permanent darkening of the iris.
Correct answer: The treated iris may gradually become darker- A. Straight lines appear wavy or distorted
- B. The patient needs brighter light for reading
- C. The patient blinks several times after reading
- D. The patient sees clearly in the central field
Explanation: Wavy or missing lines on an Amsler grid can indicate worsening macular damage and should be reported promptly.
Correct answer: Straight lines appear wavy or distorted- A. Pain increases when the pinna is gently pulled
- B. A bulging tympanic membrane is visible
- C. Deep ear pain follows an upper respiratory infection
- D. Fluid is present behind an intact tympanic membrane
Explanation: Tenderness when the tragus or pinna is moved is characteristic of inflammation of the external ear canal.
Correct answer: Pain increases when the pinna is gently pulled- A. A known perforation of the tympanic membrane
- B. Mild itching around the outer ear
- C. A temperature of 37.4°C
- D. Small amounts of dry cerumen
Explanation: Aminoglycoside ear drops such as gentamicin may cause ototoxicity if they enter the middle ear through a perforated tympanic membrane.
Correct answer: A known perforation of the tympanic membrane- A. It is a normal result
- B. It confirms conductive hearing loss
- C. It confirms sensorineural hearing loss
- D. It indicates complete deafness in both ears
Explanation: Normally, air conduction is longer and louder than bone conduction, producing a positive Rinne test.
Correct answer: It is a normal result237. A patient returns from a mastoidectomy. Which nursing instruction is appropriate during recovery?
- A. Avoid forceful nose blowing on the operated side
- B. Clean the ear canal deeply with cotton swabs
- C. Keep the patient flat on the operated side
- D. Encourage repeated vigorous coughing every hour
Explanation: Forceful nose blowing can increase pressure and disrupt healing after ear surgery.
Correct answer: Avoid forceful nose blowing on the operated side238. A patient has anterior nasal packing inserted for epistaxis. Which nursing action is the priority?
- A. Assess the airway and observe for continued bleeding
- B. Remove the packing every hour to inspect the mucosa
- C. Ask the patient to blow the nose to clear clots
- D. Place the patient flat with the head lower than the chest
Explanation: Airway assessment is the priority because blood, swelling, or displaced packing can obstruct breathing.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and observe for continued bleeding- A. Drowsiness and dry mouth
- B. Severe hypoglycaemia and sweating
- C. Increased urination and thirst
- D. Bleeding from the gums and nose
Explanation: Meclizine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic effects, so drowsiness and dry mouth are common.
Correct answer: Drowsiness and dry mouth- A. Assess oxygenation and suction the tracheostomy if indicated
- B. Give oral fluids immediately despite swallowing difficulty
- C. Occlude the tracheostomy opening to improve speech
- D. Place the patient supine and remove the inner cannula
Explanation: Noisy airflow with thick secretions may indicate partial airway obstruction, so oxygenation and airway patency take priority.
Correct answer: Assess oxygenation and suction the tracheostomy if indicated