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 18 of 30

  • A. Eye opening, verbal response and motor response
  • B. Pupil size, limb power and reflex response
  • C. Blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory pattern
  • D. Memory, concentration and cranial nerve function

Explanation: The Glasgow Coma Scale measures eye opening, verbal response and motor response.

Correct answer: Eye opening, verbal response and motor response
  • A. Battle sign indicating a basilar skull fracture
  • B. Mastoid tenderness indicating a middle-ear infection
  • C. Periorbital oedema indicating an allergic reaction
  • D. Neck stiffness indicating a cervical muscle strain

Explanation: Battle sign is bruising over the mastoid area and may indicate a basilar skull fracture.

Correct answer: Battle sign indicating a basilar skull fracture
  • A. I will stop the medicine when I feel seizure-free
  • B. I will take the medicine regularly as prescribed
  • C. I will double the next dose after missing one dose
  • D. I will discontinue treatment when mild nausea develops

Explanation: Antiseizure medicines should be taken regularly and must not be stopped suddenly because abrupt withdrawal can trigger seizures or status…

Correct answer: I will take the medicine regularly as prescribed
  • A. Provide a quiet, dimly lit room and limit unnecessary stimulation
  • B. Keep the room brightly lit to assess pupil responses frequently
  • C. Encourage vigorous activity to prevent complications of immobility
  • D. Apply a warm compress over the eyes to relieve meningeal irritation

Explanation: Meningeal inflammation commonly causes headache and sensitivity to light, so reducing noise and light promotes comfort.

Correct answer: Provide a quiet, dimly lit room and limit unnecessary stimulation
Easy
  • A. Logroll the patient while maintaining spinal alignment
  • B. Pull the patient by the arms while keeping the legs straight
  • C. Ask the patient to twist the trunk during the turn
  • D. Raise the head of the bed and allow the patient to turn alone

Explanation: Logrolling keeps the head, neck and trunk aligned and reduces twisting of the injured spine.

Correct answer: Logroll the patient while maintaining spinal alignment
  • A. Take each dose at consistent times as prescribed
  • B. Stop each dose when involuntary movements first appear
  • C. Take extra doses before walking to prevent all symptoms
  • D. Change the dose independently when symptoms fluctuate

Explanation: Consistent timing helps maintain therapeutic control of Parkinson symptoms and prevents avoidable fluctuations.

Correct answer: Take each dose at consistent times as prescribed
Moderate
  • A. Neurological deficits appear, improve partly or fully, and recur later
  • B. Neurological deficits steadily worsen without periods of improvement
  • C. Neurological deficits occur only during bacterial infections
  • D. Neurological deficits resolve permanently after one acute episode

Explanation: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has episodes of new or worsening neurological deficits followed by periods of partial or complete…

Correct answer: Neurological deficits appear, improve partly or fully, and recur later
  • A. Decorticate posturing suggesting serious brain dysfunction
  • B. Decerebrate posturing suggesting isolated peripheral nerve damage
  • C. Flaccid paralysis suggesting an uncomplicated muscle injury
  • D. Typical flexor withdrawal suggesting normal protective movement

Explanation: Flexion of the arms with extension of the legs is decorticate posturing and indicates severe dysfunction above the brainstem.

Correct answer: Decorticate posturing suggesting serious brain dysfunction
Hard
  • A. Measure the bladder volume with a portable bladder scanner
  • B. Offer large amounts of oral fluid before checking the bladder
  • C. Insert an indwelling catheter without assessing the cause
  • D. Apply pressure over the lower abdomen to express urine

Explanation: A bladder scanner helps identify urinary retention without immediately using an invasive procedure.

Correct answer: Measure the bladder volume with a portable bladder scanner
Fairly easy
  • A. Use short sentences and allow adequate time for a response
  • B. Speak loudly and repeat the same question without pausing
  • C. Complete every sentence to avoid causing communication stress
  • D. Ask several questions together so the patient can answer quickly

Explanation: Short, simple sentences and sufficient response time support communication while preserving the patient's independence.

Correct answer: Use short sentences and allow adequate time for a response
  • A. It is usually surrounded by a clear capsule
  • B. It remains localized at its original site
  • C. It can invade tissues and spread to distant sites
  • D. It grows slowly without affecting nearby structures

Explanation: Malignant tumours invade surrounding tissues and may metastasize through lymphatic or blood vessels.

Correct answer: It can invade tissues and spread to distant sites
Easy
  • A. The T category
  • B. The N category
  • C. The M category
  • D. The G category

Explanation: The N category describes regional lymph node involvement. T describes the primary tumour, while M describes distant metastasis; G refers…

Correct answer: The N category
  • A. Slow the infusion and apply gentle pressure
  • B. Stop the infusion and leave the cannula in place
  • C. Remove the cannula and flush the site with saline
  • D. Apply a warm compress and continue the infusion

Explanation: These findings suggest extravasation of a vesicant drug. Stop the infusion immediately, leave the cannula in place to aspirate residual…

Correct answer: Stop the infusion and leave the cannula in place
  • A. Offer oral fluids and reassess after one hour
  • B. Place the patient in a protective environment only
  • C. Notify the medical team immediately for urgent assessment
  • D. Encourage walking to improve circulation and appetite

Explanation: Severe neutropenia with fever is a medical emergency because infection may progress rapidly without a strong inflammatory response.

Correct answer: Notify the medical team immediately for urgent assessment
  • A. Apply perfumed lotion before every treatment session
  • B. Scrub treatment marks off the skin during bathing
  • C. Protect the treated skin from sunlight and friction
  • D. Use a heating pad to reduce skin discomfort

Explanation: Radiated skin should be protected from sunlight, heat, adhesive materials and friction.

Correct answer: Protect the treated skin from sunlight and friction
Fairly easy
  • A. Use a soft toothbrush and rinse with saline regularly
  • B. Use alcohol-based mouthwash after every meal
  • C. Eat spicy foods to stimulate saliva production
  • D. Brush the ulcers firmly to remove the damaged tissue

Explanation: Gentle oral care and regular saline or prescribed non-irritating rinses help reduce trauma and maintain mucosal hygiene.

Correct answer: Use a soft toothbrush and rinse with saline regularly
  • A. Document it as an expected mild treatment effect
  • B. Administer an antidiarrhoeal without further assessment
  • C. Report the symptoms promptly to the oncology team
  • D. Advise the patient to continue treatment without changes

Explanation: Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may become severe and require corticosteroid treatment.

Correct answer: Report the symptoms promptly to the oncology team
Moderate
  • A. Withhold the next opioid dose because dependence is possible
  • B. Assess the pain and administer prescribed rescue analgesia
  • C. Tell the patient that severe pain is expected in advanced cancer
  • D. Wait until the next scheduled dose before reassessing

Explanation: The nurse should assess the pain, including its site, character and associated symptoms, then give prescribed breakthrough analgesia and…

Correct answer: Assess the pain and administer prescribed rescue analgesia
  • A. I will eat large meals when nausea completely stops
  • B. I will take the prescribed antiemetic before nausea becomes severe
  • C. I will stop drinking fluids to prevent further vomiting
  • D. I will lie flat immediately after every small meal

Explanation: Antiemetics work best when taken as prescribed, often before symptoms become severe.

Correct answer: I will take the prescribed antiemetic before nausea becomes severe
Hard
  • A. The patient communicates by writing on a notepad
  • B. The patient has mild incisional discomfort when moving
  • C. The patient has increasing respiratory distress and noisy breathing
  • D. The patient asks when oral fluids may be started

Explanation: Increasing respiratory distress and noisy breathing indicate a possible airway obstruction, so airway and breathing take priority.

Correct answer: The patient has increasing respiratory distress and noisy breathing