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 21 of 30
- A. Checking the patient's appetite each shift
- B. Ensuring the traction weights hang freely
- C. Massaging the skin under the weights
- D. Removing the weights during repositioning
Explanation: Traction is effective only when the weights hang freely and the line of pull remains correct.
Correct answer: Ensuring the traction weights hang freely- A. Place a pillow between the patient's legs
- B. Allow the patient to cross the legs while sitting
- C. Flex the operated hip beyond a right angle
- D. Turn the patient onto the operated side without support
Explanation: An abduction pillow keeps the hip in proper alignment and helps prevent dislocation.
Correct answer: Place a pillow between the patient's legs- A. Keeping the affected leg completely still
- B. Encouraging ankle-pumping exercises as prescribed
- C. Placing a pillow directly behind the knee
- D. Massaging the calf every four hours
Explanation: Ankle-pumping exercises promote venous return and reduce venous stasis when they are permitted by the orthopedic plan.
Correct answer: Encouraging ankle-pumping exercises as prescribed- A. Place the right foot down briefly with each step
- B. Support body weight through the axillae on the crutches
- C. Move both crutches forward before stepping with the left leg
- D. Keep the crutches about 30 centimetres behind the body
Explanation: For non-weight-bearing ambulation, the patient moves both crutches forward, keeps the right leg off the floor, and then steps with the…
Correct answer: Move both crutches forward before stepping with the left leg405. A nurse assesses a patient after spinal surgery. Which finding requires the most urgent action?
- A. Incisional pain rated 5 out of 10
- B. Numbness and new weakness in both legs
- C. Mild nausea after receiving an opioid
- D. Small amount of clear drainage on the dressing
Explanation: New bilateral weakness and numbness may indicate spinal cord or nerve compression and requires immediate assessment and reporting.
Correct answer: Numbness and new weakness in both legs- A. Support the cast with the fingertips until it dries
- B. Use the palms of the hands to support the wet cast
- C. Cover the wet cast with a warm blanket tightly
- D. Insert a sharp object to relieve itching under the cast
Explanation: The palms distribute pressure and help prevent dents in a wet plaster cast.
Correct answer: Use the palms of the hands to support the wet cast- A. I will avoid walking to protect my bones
- B. I will remove loose rugs and improve home lighting
- C. I will stop calcium-rich foods because they cause stones
- D. I will bend from the waist when lifting heavy objects
Explanation: Removing fall hazards and improving lighting reduce the risk of fractures in osteoporosis.
Correct answer: I will remove loose rugs and improve home lighting- A. Elevate the limb high above the level of the heart
- B. Apply a heating pad over the casted area
- C. Assess distal pulses, sensation and movement
- D. Encourage the patient to sleep through the discomfort
Explanation: Distal pulses, sensation and movement help identify neurovascular compromise associated with compartment syndrome.
Correct answer: Assess distal pulses, sensation and movement- A. Repositioning the patient at planned intervals
- B. Keeping the head of the bed elevated continuously
- C. Using a doughnut ring under the sacrum
- D. Massaging reddened skin over bony areas
Explanation: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and supports tissue perfusion.
Correct answer: Repositioning the patient at planned intervals- A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position and administer oxygen
- B. Encourage the patient to walk to improve circulation
- C. Massage the legs to prevent venous stasis
- D. Give oral fluids and reassess the patient later
Explanation: These findings suggest fat embolism syndrome after a long-bone fracture.
Correct answer: Place the patient in a high-Fowler position and administer oxygen- A. Mild swelling that improves after limb elevation
- B. Pain with passive stretching of the affected muscles
- C. Bruising around the operative wound
- D. Slight warmth near the surgical incision
Explanation: Severe pain with passive muscle stretching is an early and important sign of compartment syndrome.
Correct answer: Pain with passive stretching of the affected muscles- A. The weights rest on the floor beside the bed
- B. The ropes are loose around the pulleys
- C. The weights hang freely without touching the bed
- D. The patient removes the weights during meals
Explanation: Traction weights must hang freely so that a continuous, prescribed pulling force is maintained.
Correct answer: The weights hang freely without touching the bed- A. Keep the arm immobilised as prescribed and move the fingers regularly
- B. Raise the arm above the head several times each hour
- C. Apply strong massage over the shoulder joint
- D. Remove the sling whenever shoulder pain increases
Explanation: The sling supports the reduced joint while healing begins, and finger movement helps maintain circulation and reduce stiffness.
Correct answer: Keep the arm immobilised as prescribed and move the fingers regularly- A. Pain that worsens after heavy joint use
- B. Symmetrical small-joint stiffness lasting over an hour in the morning
- C. Bony enlargement of a single weight-bearing joint
- D. Pain that improves after a short period of rest
Explanation: Rheumatoid arthritis commonly causes symmetrical inflammatory joint disease with prolonged morning stiffness.
Correct answer: Symmetrical small-joint stiffness lasting over an hour in the morning- A. I will take it at bedtime with a glass of milk
- B. I will take it after breakfast with orange juice
- C. I will take it on an empty stomach with plain water and remain upright
- D. I will crush it and mix it with yogurt before swallowing
Explanation: Alendronate is taken with plain water on an empty stomach, and the patient should remain upright to reduce oesophageal irritation.
Correct answer: I will take it on an empty stomach with plain water and remain upright- A. Twist the shoulders first and then move the hips
- B. Log-roll the body while keeping the spine aligned
- C. Ask the patient to sit up quickly before turning
- D. Pull one leg across the other to start the turn
Explanation: Log-rolling moves the shoulders, trunk and hips together while maintaining spinal alignment.
Correct answer: Log-roll the body while keeping the spine aligned- A. Move the strong leg, then the walker, then the operated leg
- B. Move the walker, then the operated leg, then the strong leg
- C. Move the operated leg, then the strong leg, then the walker
- D. Move the walker and both legs forward at the same time
Explanation: The patient first advances the walker, then moves the operated or weaker leg into the walker, followed by the stronger leg.
Correct answer: Move the walker, then the operated leg, then the strong leg- A. Place it directly under the knee for the whole day
- B. Place it under the ankle or heel to support extension
- C. Place it beneath the operated thigh to keep the knee flexed
- D. Place it between the knees and keep the operated knee bent
Explanation: Supporting the ankle or heel allows the knee to extend and helps prevent a flexion contracture.
Correct answer: Place it under the ankle or heel to support extension- A. Limit oral fluids to reduce the need for assistance
- B. Encourage deep breathing, coughing and prescribed incentive spirometry
- C. Keep the patient flat to maintain fracture alignment
- D. Give a sedative before each turning schedule
Explanation: Immobility and shallow breathing increase the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia.
Correct answer: Encourage deep breathing, coughing and prescribed incentive spirometry- A. Capillary refill in the fingers takes four seconds
- B. Mild itching develops beneath the cast
- C. The fingers feel warm and move normally
- D. Slight swelling is present around the cast edge
Explanation: Delayed capillary refill suggests impaired peripheral perfusion and requires prompt reassessment of the cast and neurovascular status.
Correct answer: Capillary refill in the fingers takes four seconds