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 20 of 30
- A. The size and local extent of the primary tumour
- B. The involvement of regional lymph nodes
- C. The presence of distant organ metastases
- D. The patient's response to treatment
Explanation: The T category describes the size and local invasion of the primary tumour.
Correct answer: The size and local extent of the primary tumour- A. Invasion into nearby connective tissue
- B. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
- C. Presence of distant organ metastasis
- D. A high mitotic rate in the tumour
Explanation: Stage IV generally indicates that the cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.
Correct answer: Presence of distant organ metastasis- A. Apply a warm pack to the lower back
- B. Encourage walking to maintain muscle strength
- C. Report the findings urgently to the oncology team
- D. Give the routine analgesic and reassess tomorrow
Explanation: The combination suggests possible malignant spinal cord compression, an oncological emergency that can cause permanent neurological…
Correct answer: Report the findings urgently to the oncology team- A. Position the patient flat for complete rest
- B. Place the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen
- C. Encourage oral fluids to reduce blood thickness
- D. Massage the neck to improve venous drainage
Explanation: These findings suggest superior vena cava obstruction with impaired venous return and breathing difficulty.
Correct answer: Place the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen- A. I will allow blood pressure checks on that arm
- B. I will protect the arm from cuts, burns and infection
- C. I will keep the arm completely still for several months
- D. I will use tight clothing to control any swelling
Explanation: Protecting the affected arm from injury and infection helps reduce the risk of lymphoedema complications.
Correct answer: I will protect the arm from cuts, burns and infection- A. Crush the tablets before taking them with juice
- B. Handle the tablets with bare hands if they look intact
- C. Wash hands before and after handling the tablets
- D. Store the tablets loose in a kitchen container
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after handling oral cytotoxic medicines reduces exposure to drug residue.
Correct answer: Wash hands before and after handling the tablets- A. Document the symptoms as an expected mild effect
- B. Report the symptoms promptly for respiratory assessment
- C. Encourage vigorous exercise to improve lung capacity
- D. Give an antidiarrhoeal medicine and reassess later
Explanation: Bleomycin can cause pulmonary toxicity, including pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis.
Correct answer: Report the symptoms promptly for respiratory assessment- A. Progressive cardiac dysfunction
- B. Permanent hearing loss
- C. Severe renal stone formation
- D. Marked thyroid enlargement
Explanation: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline that can cause cumulative cardiotoxicity, so cardiac history, symptoms and prescribed cardiac testing are…
Correct answer: Progressive cardiac dysfunction- A. Encourage deep breathing and continue the infusion
- B. Report the findings promptly and withhold treatment until reviewed
- C. Offer a high-fibre meal to relieve chest discomfort
- D. Reassure the patient that this is expected hair loss
Explanation: These findings may indicate immune-related pneumonitis, which can become life threatening if treatment is continued without assessment.
Correct answer: Report the findings promptly and withhold treatment until reviewed- A. Record the appearance as normal during the first week
- B. Apply a tight pouch to force the stoma outward
- C. Report the finding immediately for assessment of impaired blood supply
- D. Give a laxative to increase the stoma output
Explanation: A healthy new stoma is usually moist and pink to red, reflecting adequate perfusion.
Correct answer: Report the finding immediately for assessment of impaired blood supply- A. A tissue biopsy examined by histopathology
- B. A plain radiograph of the suspected area
- C. A serum tumour-marker measurement
- D. A physical examination of the mass
Explanation: Histopathological examination of biopsy tissue identifies malignant cells and their characteristics, making it the definitive diagnostic…
Correct answer: A tissue biopsy examined by histopathology- A. The size of the primary tumour
- B. The involvement of regional lymph nodes
- C. The presence of distant metastasis
- D. The microscopic grade of the tumour
Explanation: The M category records whether cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.
Correct answer: The presence of distant metastasis- A. Reassure the patient that this is an expected harmless effect
- B. Report the finding promptly to the oncology team
- C. Restrict oral fluids until the urine becomes clear
- D. Give aspirin to reduce urinary tract inflammation
Explanation: Haematuria and dysuria may indicate cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis and require prompt assessment.
Correct answer: Report the finding promptly to the oncology team- A. Place the patient flat and offer sips of water
- B. Assess the airway and call for immediate assistance
- C. Apply a warm dressing over the neck incision
- D. Encourage coughing to clear throat secretions
Explanation: Noisy breathing after thyroid surgery may indicate airway obstruction from swelling, bleeding or vocal cord problems.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and call for immediate assistance- A. Hypocalcaemia caused by treatment
- B. Hypercalcaemia related to malignancy
- C. Acute neutropenic infection
- D. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Explanation: Thirst, polyuria, constipation and altered mental status are typical features of significant hypercalcaemia, which can occur with advanced…
Correct answer: Hypercalcaemia related to malignancy- A. Hair loss always means the cancer is progressing
- B. Hair usually grows back after treatment ends
- C. The scalp should be scrubbed daily to prevent hair loss
- D. Hair loss occurs only when the treatment damages the scalp
Explanation: Many cytotoxic medicines cause temporary alopecia by affecting rapidly dividing hair-follicle cells, and regrowth commonly occurs after…
Correct answer: Hair usually grows back after treatment ends- A. Advise walking to improve venous circulation
- B. Massage the calf until the discomfort improves
- C. Assess urgently for possible deep-vein thrombosis
- D. Reassure the patient that this is a usual drug effect
Explanation: Tamoxifen increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, so unilateral calf pain and swelling require urgent assessment.
Correct answer: Assess urgently for possible deep-vein thrombosis- A. Document the symptoms as expected treatment fatigue
- B. Report the findings promptly for liver-function assessment
- C. Encourage a high-fat diet to restore liver energy stores
- D. Give the next treatment early to control the cancer
Explanation: Jaundice and dark urine may indicate immune-related hepatitis, a potentially serious complication of checkpoint inhibitors.
Correct answer: Report the findings promptly for liver-function assessment- A. Palliative care is given only during the final hours of life
- B. Palliative care may occur alongside disease-directed treatment
- C. Hospice care aims to cure the underlying malignant disease
- D. Hospice care excludes pain relief and family support
Explanation: Palliative care focuses on symptom relief, quality of life and support, and it can begin at any stage while cancer treatment continues.
Correct answer: Palliative care may occur alongside disease-directed treatment- A. It blocks serotonin receptors involved in vomiting
- B. It stimulates bowel movement to remove toxins
- C. It neutralises stomach acid after chemotherapy
- D. It destroys malignant cells by inhibiting mitosis
Explanation: Ondansetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist that helps prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Correct answer: It blocks serotonin receptors involved in vomiting