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 22 of 30
- A. Insert a ruler carefully under the cast
- B. Use a cool hair dryer on the lowest setting
- C. Pour talcum powder inside the cast
- D. Scratch the skin with a sterile needle
Explanation: Cool air from a hair dryer may reduce itching without injuring the skin.
Correct answer: Use a cool hair dryer on the lowest setting- A. Mild soreness when the arm is moved
- B. Increasing numbness in the affected hand
- C. Small bruises near the elbow
- D. Mild swelling that improves with elevation
Explanation: Increasing numbness can indicate nerve compression or worsening neurovascular impairment after reduction.
Correct answer: Increasing numbness in the affected hand- A. Encourage bed rest for the next 24 hours
- B. Apply a warm pack to the lower back
- C. Report the findings immediately to the provider
- D. Teach the patient to perform back-strengthening exercises
Explanation: Saddle numbness with urinary difficulty suggests possible cauda equina compression, which can cause permanent neurological damage.
Correct answer: Report the findings immediately to the provider- A. Encourage regular low-impact exercise
- B. Maintain complete bed rest during painful periods
- C. Avoid all use of the affected joints
- D. Recommend prolonged high-impact running
Explanation: Low-impact exercise helps maintain joint movement, muscle strength, and function without excessive joint stress.
Correct answer: Encourage regular low-impact exercise- A. Apply prescribed warm moist heat before activity
- B. Keep the joints completely still throughout the day
- C. Apply an ice pack before every movement
- D. Encourage strenuous exercise immediately after waking
Explanation: Warm moist heat can reduce stiffness and make movement easier before activity.
Correct answer: Apply prescribed warm moist heat before activity- A. To maintain joint movement and reduce stiffness
- B. To replace the need for prescribed analgesics
- C. To provide complete weight-bearing exercise
- D. To prevent all postoperative wound drainage
Explanation: Continuous passive motion gently moves the knee to support range of motion and reduce stiffness during early recovery.
Correct answer: To maintain joint movement and reduce stiffness- A. Massage the calf to improve circulation
- B. Encourage vigorous walking immediately
- C. Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider
- D. Apply a tight bandage around the swollen leg
Explanation: New unilateral calf pain and swelling may indicate deep vein thrombosis, so the patient should remain at rest and receive prompt medical…
Correct answer: Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider- A. Restrict oral fluids to reduce bedpan use
- B. Encourage fluids, fibre, and prescribed activity
- C. Give repeated laxatives without an assessment
- D. Keep the patient fasting until bowel movement occurs
Explanation: Immobility, reduced fluid intake, and analgesics commonly contribute to constipation, so fluids, dietary fibre, and permitted activity are…
Correct answer: Encourage fluids, fibre, and prescribed activity- A. I will keep the cast dry and inspect the skin around it
- B. I will trim the cast if it feels tight
- C. I will walk on it whenever the pain decreases
- D. I will cover a wet cast with plastic until it dries
Explanation: Keeping the cast dry and checking exposed skin helps prevent skin breakdown and cast damage.
Correct answer: I will keep the cast dry and inspect the skin around it- A. Capillary refill of two seconds in the toes
- B. Warm skin with equal pedal pulses
- C. New inability to dorsiflex the foot
- D. Mild swelling around the fracture site
Explanation: New loss of movement may indicate nerve or muscle compromise and requires prompt assessment.
Correct answer: New inability to dorsiflex the foot- A. Clean each pin site using aseptic technique
- B. Apply petroleum jelly around every pin
- C. Remove the weights during routine hygiene
- D. Cover the pin sites with a wet dressing
Explanation: Aseptic pin-site care reduces the risk of introducing bacteria along the pin tract.
Correct answer: Clean each pin site using aseptic technique- A. Ask the patient to sit upright slowly
- B. Maintain manual alignment of the head and neck
- C. Place a pillow beneath the patient's neck
- D. Encourage active neck movement to assess pain
Explanation: Maintaining neutral spinal alignment protects the spinal cord from further injury.
Correct answer: Maintain manual alignment of the head and neck- A. Mild bruising near the incision
- B. Small amount of clear drainage
- C. Increasing redness with purulent drainage
- D. Moderate pain during prescribed exercises
Explanation: Increasing redness with purulent drainage suggests bacterial infection and requires prompt reporting.
Correct answer: Increasing redness with purulent drainage- A. Repeated active range-of-motion exercises
- B. Forceful massage over the fracture site
- C. Prolonged flexion of the affected knee
- D. Complete bed rest without limb movement
Explanation: Active range-of-motion exercises in permitted joints help maintain muscle strength, joint mobility and venous circulation.
Correct answer: Repeated active range-of-motion exercises- A. I should avoid all walking to protect my bones
- B. I should perform regular weight-bearing exercise as advised
- C. I should exercise only when a fracture causes pain
- D. I should use vigorous twisting exercises every day
Explanation: Regular weight-bearing activity, such as walking when safe, supports bone strength and balance.
Correct answer: I should perform regular weight-bearing exercise as advised- A. Offer oral fluids to improve alertness
- B. Place the patient flat and leave the room
- C. Assess the airway and support breathing
- D. Give the next prescribed analgesic dose
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority because respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening opioid effect.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and support breathing- A. Straighten the arm forcefully before applying support
- B. Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture
- C. Apply deep pressure directly over the fracture
- D. Ask the patient to move the arm to test stability
Explanation: Immobilizing the joints above and below limits movement, pain and further tissue damage.
Correct answer: Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture- A. To replace all active muscle exercises
- B. To maintain knee movement and reduce stiffness
- C. To keep the knee completely straight for healing
- D. To provide resistance training for the quadriceps
Explanation: Continuous passive motion gently moves the knee to help preserve range of motion and reduce stiffness.
Correct answer: To maintain knee movement and reduce stiffness- A. Place the patient flat and give a sedative
- B. Sit the patient upright and assess for a trigger
- C. Encourage the patient to walk in the corridor
- D. Apply a warm blanket to the lower limbs
Explanation: These findings suggest autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency caused by an irritating stimulus below the spinal injury, commonly…
Correct answer: Sit the patient upright and assess for a trigger- A. The weights rest on the floor beside the bed
- B. The ropes remain aligned with the pulleys
- C. The knots touch the pulley during movement
- D. The affected leg is placed across the midline
Explanation: The ropes should move freely through aligned pulleys, and the weights must hang freely without touching the floor or bed.
Correct answer: The ropes remain aligned with the pulleys