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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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 assessment355. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient receiving external-beam radiotherapy?
- 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- 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- 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- 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