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 15 of 30
- A. Gastric outlet obstruction
- B. Perforation with peritonitis
- C. Acute pancreatitis
- D. Uncomplicated gastritis
Explanation: Sudden severe pain with a rigid, silent abdomen suggests perforation and peritonitis.
Correct answer: Perforation with peritonitis282. A patient with a peptic ulcer is prescribed sucralfate. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Take it with a high-fat meal
- B. Take it on an empty stomach
- C. Take it only when pain begins
- D. Take it together with antacids
Explanation: Sucralfate forms a protective coating over the ulcer and works best on an empty stomach.
Correct answer: Take it on an empty stomach- A. Metabolic alkalosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Explanation: Vomiting removes hydrochloric acid and may produce metabolic alkalosis, especially when fluid and chloride losses are prolonged.
Correct answer: Metabolic alkalosis- A. Skip lesions throughout the bowel
- B. Continuous inflammation beginning in the rectum
- C. Transmural fistula formation
- D. Cobblestone mucosa in the ileum
Explanation: Ulcerative colitis causes continuous mucosal inflammation that usually begins in the rectum and extends proximally.
Correct answer: Continuous inflammation beginning in the rectum- A. The obstruction is resolving
- B. The bowel may have perforated
- C. The patient is becoming comfortable
- D. The nasogastric tube is working
Explanation: A sudden reduction in colicky pain with worsening distension and tachycardia can indicate bowel ischemia or perforation.
Correct answer: The bowel may have perforated- A. Three large meals high in fat
- B. Small frequent meals with adequate calories
- C. A fasting period until jaundice clears
- D. A high-salt diet to prevent weakness
Explanation: Small frequent meals are easier to tolerate and help maintain energy when nausea and anorexia are present.
Correct answer: Small frequent meals with adequate calories- A. Mild pruritus after bathing
- B. Increasing abdominal collateral veins
- C. Occasional heartburn after meals
- D. A small bruise at an injection site
Explanation: Prominent abdominal collateral veins, sometimes called caput medusae, develop when portal blood is diverted through systemic veins.
Correct answer: Increasing abdominal collateral veins- A. Serum potassium
- B. Serum calcium
- C. Haemoglobin level
- D. Blood amylase
Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so hyperkalaemia is an important adverse effect to detect.
Correct answer: Serum potassium- A. Lactulose
- B. Rifaximin
- C. Diazepam
- D. Spironolactone
Explanation: Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause sedation and further depress consciousness in hepatic encephalopathy.
Correct answer: Diazepam290. A patient with cirrhosis has prolonged clotting time and needs oral hygiene. Which action is safest?
- A. Use a hard-bristled toothbrush
- B. Use gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush
- C. Floss forcefully between all teeth
- D. Apply alcohol-based mouthwash frequently
Explanation: A soft toothbrush and gentle technique reduce trauma and bleeding in a patient with impaired clotting.
Correct answer: Use gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush- A. Famotidine
- B. Omeprazole
- C. Sucralfate
- D. Magnesium hydroxide
Explanation: Famotidine is an H2 receptor antagonist that decreases gastric acid secretion.
Correct answer: Famotidine- A. Use contact precautions and dedicated equipment
- B. Place the patient in protective isolation
- C. Encourage raw fruit and salad intake
- D. Administer an antidiarrhoeal without review
Explanation: C. difficile spreads through contaminated hands and surfaces, so contact precautions and dedicated equipment are required.
Correct answer: Use contact precautions and dedicated equipment- A. Metabolic alkalosis
- B. Metabolic acidosis
- C. Respiratory alkalosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Explanation: Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid through prolonged vomiting commonly causes metabolic alkalosis.
Correct answer: Metabolic alkalosis- A. Fluid has accumulated in the peritoneal cavity
- B. The liver has become filled with swallowed air
- C. The stomach has stopped producing digestive enzymes
- D. The abdominal muscles have become permanently shortened
Explanation: Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, commonly related to portal hypertension and low albumin in cirrhosis.
Correct answer: Fluid has accumulated in the peritoneal cavity- A. Treat the hypoglycaemia according to protocol
- B. Restrict all oral and intravenous fluids
- C. Administer a sedative for agitation
- D. Place the patient in a dark room only
Explanation: Severe hypoglycaemia can directly cause altered consciousness and is an immediate reversible threat to the brain.
Correct answer: Treat the hypoglycaemia according to protocol- A. Small frequent meals with adequate calories
- B. Prolonged fasting to rest the liver
- C. A high-sodium diet to improve appetite
- D. Routine severe protein restriction for all patients
Explanation: Small frequent meals and an evening snack help prevent muscle breakdown and provide adequate energy in cirrhosis.
Correct answer: Small frequent meals with adequate calories- A. Report the symptoms for infection assessment
- B. Advise doubling the corticosteroid dose
- C. Reassure the patient that infection is expected
- D. Recommend stopping the drug suddenly
Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress immune responses, so fever and respiratory symptoms require prompt assessment for infection.
Correct answer: Report the symptoms for infection assessment- A. Clarify the procedure because trauma may cause bleeding
- B. Proceed because rectal procedures reduce portal pressure
- C. Give an intramuscular injection before examination
- D. Ask the patient to strain during the examination
Explanation: Rectal trauma and straining can precipitate bleeding in a patient with portal hypertension and fragile collateral vessels.
Correct answer: Clarify the procedure because trauma may cause bleeding- A. Bile flow into the intestine is reduced
- B. The patient has improved liver function
- C. The findings confirm excessive gastric acid
- D. The changes are caused by increased intestinal iron
Explanation: Dark urine and pale stools can occur when impaired bile flow prevents normal bilirubin excretion into the intestine.
Correct answer: Bile flow into the intestine is reduced- A. Shake the suspension well before measuring
- B. Take it only with an empty stomach at bedtime
- C. Mix it with another medicine in the same cup
- D. Stop all prescribed ulcer treatment immediately
Explanation: Suspensions must be shaken so the medication is evenly distributed before the dose is measured.
Correct answer: Shake the suspension well before measuring