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
Hard
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Easy
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Hard
  • 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