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 2 of 30
- A. Urine output remains about 0.5 mL/kg/hour
- B. Heart rate remains above 120 beats/minute
- C. Systolic pressure remains below 80 mmHg
- D. Urine becomes dark and concentrated
Explanation: Hourly urine output of about 0.5 mL/kg/hour in an adult is a practical indicator of adequate renal perfusion during burn resuscitation.
Correct answer: Urine output remains about 0.5 mL/kg/hour- A. Apply an occlusive dressing over the area
- B. Remove contaminated clothing and irrigate the skin
- C. Neutralise the chemical with another chemical
- D. Apply antibiotic ointment before washing
Explanation: The nurse removes contaminated clothing and irrigates the affected skin with copious running water, while protecting personal safety.
Correct answer: Remove contaminated clothing and irrigate the skin- A. Assess cardiac rhythm and obtain an electrocardiogram
- B. Measure the wound diameter and apply dry gauze
- C. Encourage oral fluids and reassess in two hours
- D. Check the patient's vaccination record first
Explanation: Electrical current can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias and deep tissue injury even when the skin wounds appear small.
Correct answer: Assess cardiac rhythm and obtain an electrocardiogram- A. Place the patient in a sitting position
- B. Apply a pelvic binder according to protocol
- C. Encourage walking to assess stability
- D. Massage the lower abdomen to reduce pain
Explanation: A pelvic binder can reduce pelvic movement and bleeding from an unstable pelvic fracture when applied according to local trauma protocol.
Correct answer: Apply a pelvic binder according to protocol- A. Mild itching beneath the cast
- B. Warm toes with brisk capillary refill
- C. Increasing numbness and inability to move the toes
- D. Moderate discomfort relieved by elevation
Explanation: Increasing numbness and loss of toe movement may indicate neurovascular compromise from swelling or a tight cast.
Correct answer: Increasing numbness and inability to move the toes- A. Apply oxygen and prepare for ventilatory support
- B. Bind the entire chest firmly with a wide bandage
- C. Place the patient flat and restrict all movement
- D. Give oral fluids to prevent dehydration
Explanation: Flail chest causes impaired ventilation because a free chest segment moves paradoxically, and respiratory failure may develop.
Correct answer: Apply oxygen and prepare for ventilatory support- A. Remove the splint to inspect the fracture site
- B. Support the injured limb and maintain immobilisation
- C. Ask the patient to move the limb before transfer
- D. Apply heat directly over the swollen area
Explanation: The injured limb should remain supported and immobilised during movement to prevent further tissue, nerve or vessel damage.
Correct answer: Support the injured limb and maintain immobilisation- A. Hypovolaemic shock from acute blood loss
- B. Septic shock from systemic infection
- C. Neurogenic shock from spinal injury
- D. Obstructive shock from reduced venous return
Explanation: Septic shock can cause hypotension with warm, flushed skin early in the course because of widespread vasodilation, along with fever and an…
Correct answer: Septic shock from systemic infection- A. Arrange assessment for tetanus prophylaxis
- B. Close the wound tightly without further review
- C. Give only an oral analgesic and discharge the patient
- D. Delay treatment until redness and swelling appear
Explanation: A contaminated wound with uncertain immunisation history requires clinical assessment for tetanus vaccine and, when indicated, tetanus…
Correct answer: Arrange assessment for tetanus prophylaxis- A. About 1%
- B. About 3%
- C. About 5%
- D. About 9%
Explanation: The patient's palm, including the fingers, represents approximately 1% of total body surface area.
Correct answer: About 1%- A. Red, dry skin without blisters
- B. Pale, mottled skin with reduced sensation
- C. Black, leathery skin without pain
- D. Bright red skin that blanches completely
Explanation: Deep partial-thickness burns damage much of the dermis and may appear pale, mottled, moist, and less sensitive.
Correct answer: Pale, mottled skin with reduced sensation- A. Offer oral fluids to relieve throat dryness
- B. Place the patient flat and reassess later
- C. Notify the team and prepare for early airway support
- D. Apply petroleum gauze over the mouth and nose
Explanation: Hoarseness and inspiratory noise indicate developing upper-airway oedema, which can worsen rapidly after a burn.
Correct answer: Notify the team and prepare for early airway support- A. Use clean gloves for the entire procedure
- B. Maintain aseptic technique and avoid touching sterile surfaces
- C. Apply the same dressing to adjacent infected wounds
- D. Leave the wound uncovered during routine ward activity
Explanation: Aseptic technique reduces introduction of microorganisms into the exposed wound.
Correct answer: Maintain aseptic technique and avoid touching sterile surfaces- A. Apply a sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides
- B. Pack the wound tightly with dry gauze
- C. Remove any dressing during inspiration
- D. Place the patient in a prone position
Explanation: A three-sided occlusive dressing limits air entry while allowing trapped air to escape during expiration.
Correct answer: Apply a sterile occlusive dressing taped on three sides- A. Encourage walking to improve circulation
- B. Administer oxygen and notify the emergency team
- C. Massage the affected leg to reduce swelling
- D. Give oral fluids and observe for one hour
Explanation: The combination of respiratory distress, neurological changes, and petechiae suggests fat embolism syndrome after a long-bone fracture.
Correct answer: Administer oxygen and notify the emergency team- A. Hypovolaemic shock
- B. Neurogenic shock
- C. Septic shock
- D. Obstructive shock
Explanation: Septic shock results from severe infection and may cause fever, hypotension, and warm flushed skin early in its course.
Correct answer: Septic shock- A. Keep the neck flexed to improve venous return
- B. Elevate the head about 30 degrees with the neck midline
- C. Place the patient flat with the hips sharply flexed
- D. Turn the head fully to one side against the pillow
Explanation: Elevating the head about 30 degrees and keeping the neck midline promotes cerebral venous drainage without compromising spinal alignment.
Correct answer: Elevate the head about 30 degrees with the neck midline38. A patient with a suspected forearm fracture is awaiting splinting. Which nursing action is correct?
- A. Straighten the limb forcefully before applying the splint
- B. Immobilise the joints above and below the suspected fracture
- C. Apply heat directly over the injured area
- D. Ask the patient to move the limb repeatedly to assess function
Explanation: The injured area and the joints above and below it should be immobilised in the position found, unless circulation is threatened.
Correct answer: Immobilise the joints above and below the suspected fracture- A. Document the finding as an expected response
- B. Assess the catheter and notify the clinician promptly
- C. Restrict all fluids until the urine increases
- D. Administer a diuretic without a prescription
Explanation: A marked fall in urine output may indicate inadequate perfusion, catheter obstruction, or another complication during burn resuscitation.
Correct answer: Assess the catheter and notify the clinician promptly- A. Apply ice directly to the burned skin
- B. Cool the area with clean running water
- C. Cover the area with thick cotton wool
- D. Apply an antibiotic cream before cooling
Explanation: Clean, cool running water limits ongoing thermal injury and relieves pain.
Correct answer: Cool the area with clean running water