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 17 of 30

  • A. Pain and resistance when the neck is flexed
  • B. Painless flexion of the neck toward the chest
  • C. Marked weakness only in one lower limb
  • D. Loss of sensation in a glove pattern

Explanation: Neck stiffness and resistance to passive neck flexion suggest meningeal irritation.

Correct answer: Pain and resistance when the neck is flexed
  • A. Gingival enlargement and bleeding
  • B. Severe urinary frequency and thirst
  • C. Persistent dry cough and hoarseness
  • D. Yellow discoloration of the sclera

Explanation: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, especially when oral hygiene is poor, so regular dental care is important.

Correct answer: Gingival enlargement and bleeding
Hard
  • A. Keep the head midline and elevate the head of the bed
  • B. Place the patient flat and flex the neck forward
  • C. Encourage repeated coughing to clear secretions
  • D. Position the patient prone with the hips flexed

Explanation: A midline head position with moderate head elevation promotes venous drainage from the brain and may reduce intracranial pressure.

Correct answer: Keep the head midline and elevate the head of the bed
Very hard
  • A. Spinal shock
  • B. Autonomic dysreflexia
  • C. Neurogenic shock
  • D. Brown-Séquard syndrome

Explanation: Spinal shock causes temporary loss of motor activity, sensation and reflexes below the injury, producing flaccid paralysis.

Correct answer: Spinal shock
Moderate
  • A. Urgent non-contrast CT scan of the head
  • B. Routine electroencephalogram after breakfast
  • C. Lumbar puncture before neurological assessment
  • D. Cervical spine radiograph before blood testing

Explanation: An urgent non-contrast CT scan helps distinguish an ischaemic stroke from intracranial haemorrhage before antiplatelet treatment is given.

Correct answer: Urgent non-contrast CT scan of the head
  • A. Possible phenytoin toxicity requiring review
  • B. Expected improvement in seizure control
  • C. Evidence of bacterial meningitis
  • D. A normal response to intravenous fluid

Explanation: Nystagmus and ataxia are recognised signs of phenytoin toxicity and require prompt clinical review, including assessment of the drug level…

Correct answer: Possible phenytoin toxicity requiring review
  • A. Rise slowly and pause before walking
  • B. Stop all prescribed medicines immediately
  • C. Drink less fluid before getting out of bed
  • D. Turn quickly to improve balance reactions

Explanation: Parkinson disease and antiparkinson medicines can contribute to orthostatic hypotension, so the patient should change position slowly and…

Correct answer: Rise slowly and pause before walking
  • A. A temporary worsening related to infection
  • B. A definite permanent spinal cord lesion
  • C. A new bacterial infection of the meninges
  • D. A typical adverse effect of levodopa therapy

Explanation: Infection and fever can temporarily worsen existing multiple sclerosis symptoms without representing a new demyelinating relapse.

Correct answer: A temporary worsening related to infection
Hard
  • A. Maintain airway support and suction secretions as needed
  • B. Offer frequent oral fluids to clear the throat
  • C. Place the patient supine without head support
  • D. Give oral tablets with a small amount of water

Explanation: Airway protection and breathing take priority in a patient with reduced consciousness, so secretions should be cleared while airway…

Correct answer: Maintain airway support and suction secretions as needed
  • A. Report the new upper-limb neurological change immediately
  • B. Massage both arms to restore normal circulation
  • C. Encourage walking to test the patient's strength
  • D. Apply heat to the neck to relax tight muscles

Explanation: New motor or sensory changes after spinal cord injury may indicate neurological deterioration and require immediate reporting and…

Correct answer: Report the new upper-limb neurological change immediately
  • A. States the name of the hospital only
  • B. Follows a simple command only
  • C. States the name, place and current time
  • D. Withdraws the hand from painful stimulation

Explanation: Orientation means the patient correctly identifies important aspects of person, place and time.

Correct answer: States the name, place and current time
Very hard
  • A. Left-sided neglect
  • B. Expressive aphasia
  • C. Right-sided hemianopia
  • D. Impaired hearing on the left

Explanation: Left-sided neglect is an inability to attend to or recognise the left side, commonly associated with a right hemispheric stroke.

Correct answer: Left-sided neglect
  • A. Offer sips of water
  • B. Place the patient in a side-lying position
  • C. Restrain the arms and legs
  • D. Ask the patient to walk to the bed

Explanation: Side-lying positioning helps maintain airway drainage during the postictal period and supports the breathing priority.

Correct answer: Place the patient in a side-lying position
  • A. Increasing alertness after rest
  • B. New inability to obey a simple command
  • C. Pulse of 76 beats per minute
  • D. Equal hand grips bilaterally

Explanation: A new inability to follow commands suggests worsening level of consciousness or neurological function and requires prompt reporting.

Correct answer: New inability to obey a simple command
Hard
  • A. Loss of one ankle reflex
  • B. Fasciculations in one hand
  • C. Spasticity below the lesion
  • D. Flaccid weakness in one finger

Explanation: Spasticity is an upper motor neuron feature caused by a central nervous system lesion such as spinal cord damage.

Correct answer: Spasticity below the lesion
  • A. Encourage large bites to shorten the meal
  • B. Position the patient upright during meals
  • C. Give thin liquids rapidly between bites
  • D. Place the patient flat after each mouthful

Explanation: An upright position supports safer swallowing and reduces aspiration risk.

Correct answer: Position the patient upright during meals
  • A. Schedule demanding tasks during peak fatigue
  • B. Alternate activity with planned rest periods
  • C. Exercise until severe weakness develops
  • D. Use hot baths before every activity

Explanation: Planned rest periods, pacing and energy conservation help reduce fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Correct answer: Alternate activity with planned rest periods
Hard
  • A. Reposition regularly and inspect the skin
  • B. Apply a heating pad to the sacral area
  • C. Massage reddened skin over bony areas
  • D. Limit protein to reduce urine output

Explanation: Loss of sensation increases the risk of unnoticed pressure injury, so regular repositioning and frequent skin inspection are essential.

Correct answer: Reposition regularly and inspect the skin
Very hard
  • A. Mild thirst after exercise
  • B. New severe abdominal pain and vomiting
  • C. Occasional hunger before meals
  • D. Slightly increased sleep after dosing

Explanation: Severe abdominal pain and vomiting may indicate pancreatitis, a serious adverse effect of sodium valproate.

Correct answer: New severe abdominal pain and vomiting
Very hard
  • A. Keep the patient flat and offer oral fluids
  • B. Turn the patient to the side and assess the airway
  • C. Encourage ambulation to improve circulation
  • D. Dim the lights and postpone neurological checks

Explanation: Drowsiness and vomiting increase the risk of airway obstruction and aspiration, so airway assessment and side-lying positioning take…

Correct answer: Turn the patient to the side and assess the airway