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 24 of 30
- A. Continue preparation because the surgery is elective
- B. Notify the anaesthesia and surgical team promptly
- C. Give an antacid and send the patient to theatre
- D. Ask the patient to drink extra water before transfer
Explanation: Recent food intake increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during anaesthesia.
Correct answer: Notify the anaesthesia and surgical team promptly- A. The patient's preferred sleeping position
- B. The patient's baseline level of consciousness
- C. The patient's usual time of daily exercise
- D. The patient's preferred postoperative meal
Explanation: A baseline level of consciousness allows the nurse to recognise excessive sedation or neurological deterioration after the drug.
Correct answer: The patient's baseline level of consciousness- A. Use latex-free equipment and clearly alert the theatre team
- B. Apply powdered latex gloves to reduce skin contact
- C. Give an antibiotic before checking the equipment
- D. Place the patient in the recovery area after surgery
Explanation: Latex-free supplies and clear communication reduce the risk of an allergic reaction during surgery.
Correct answer: Use latex-free equipment and clearly alert the theatre team464. During an operation using electrosurgery, which action helps reduce the risk of an electrical burn?
- A. Place the dispersive pad over a bony prominence
- B. Apply the dispersive pad to clean, dry, intact muscle
- C. Cover the dispersive pad with a thick sterile towel
- D. Place the dispersive pad over a metal prosthesis
Explanation: The dispersive pad should have broad contact with clean, dry, intact muscle to safely return current.
Correct answer: Apply the dispersive pad to clean, dry, intact muscle- A. Close the wound and document the missing sponge
- B. Ask the patient to identify where the sponge is
- C. Repeat the count and immediately inform the surgeon
- D. Leave the operating room to search the recovery area
Explanation: A missing sponge may have been retained in the surgical wound, so the count must be repeated and the surgeon informed immediately.
Correct answer: Repeat the count and immediately inform the surgeon- A. Intravenous dantrolene administration
- B. Oral paracetamol administration
- C. Subcutaneous insulin administration
- D. Intramuscular promethazine administration
Explanation: Rigidity, hyperthermia and tachycardia during anaesthesia suggest malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening emergency treated with…
Correct answer: Intravenous dantrolene administration- A. The bulb remains fully expanded after emptying
- B. The drain tubing is clamped throughout the shift
- C. The bulb is compressed and produces a small amount of drainage
- D. The drainage is poured back into the collection bulb
Explanation: A compressed bulb creates gentle suction and allows drainage to collect from the wound.
Correct answer: The bulb is compressed and produces a small amount of drainage- A. Document the output as expected after surgery
- B. Assess the patient and notify the responsible clinician
- C. Remove the urinary catheter without assessment
- D. Restrict oral fluids until the output increases
Explanation: Persistent urine output below about 30 mL per hour may indicate inadequate circulating volume or reduced renal perfusion.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and notify the responsible clinician- A. Mild bruising near the incision
- B. Small amount of clear drainage on the dressing
- C. Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage
- D. Mild discomfort during the first dressing change
Explanation: Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage are local signs of infection and require prompt assessment.
Correct answer: Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage- A. Keeping both legs still under heavy blankets
- B. Encouraging leg exercises and early assisted ambulation
- C. Placing a pillow directly behind both knees continuously
- D. Maintaining strict bed rest until discharge
Explanation: Ankle pumps, leg exercises and early assisted ambulation promote venous return and reduce venous stasis.
Correct answer: Encouraging leg exercises and early assisted ambulation- A. Administer the usual dose with a sip of water
- B. Notify the surgical team about the medication
- C. Ask the patient to stop it without further advice
- D. Give vitamin K routinely before the operation
Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so the surgical team must review the medicine and coagulation results before surgery.
Correct answer: Notify the surgical team about the medication- A. Use a razor the night before surgery
- B. Use scissors several hours before surgery
- C. Use electric clippers shortly before surgery
- D. Apply a depilatory cream without checking the skin
Explanation: Electric clippers remove hair while causing less skin trauma than a razor.
Correct answer: Use electric clippers shortly before surgery- A. Check the return of motor and sensory function
- B. Offer oral fluids to prevent a headache
- C. Encourage walking as soon as sensation returns
- D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position routinely
Explanation: The nurse monitors the return of motor and sensory function and also observes breathing and blood pressure after spinal anaesthesia.
Correct answer: Check the return of motor and sensory function- A. The field remains sterile if the sleeve is clean
- B. Only the instrument becomes contaminated
- C. The area under the arm is considered contaminated
- D. The field remains sterile if the action takes less than five seconds
Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field may contaminate the field because the front of the gown and the area below the waist are not considered…
Correct answer: The area under the arm is considered contaminated- A. Place pressure directly on the abdomen
- B. Keep the head turned sharply to one side
- C. Protect the eyes and maintain neutral alignment
- D. Allow the arms to hang freely from the table
Explanation: The eyes must be protected and the head, neck and spine kept in neutral alignment to reduce nerve, airway and eye injury.
Correct answer: Protect the eyes and maintain neutral alignment- A. Push the tissue gently back into the abdomen
- B. Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings
- C. Remove the remaining sutures from the incision
- D. Apply a dry abdominal binder tightly over the wound
Explanation: The exposed tissue is an emergency called wound evisceration. The nurse covers it with sterile saline-moistened dressings, keeps the…
Correct answer: Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings- A. Offer clear fluids by mouth
- B. Assess the airway and breathing immediately
- C. Assist the patient to stand and walk
- D. Give the prescribed oral analgesic first
Explanation: Airway and breathing are assessed first because the ABC principle takes priority in an unstable postoperative patient.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and breathing immediately- A. Keep the reservoir above the wound
- B. Empty the reservoir using clean technique only
- C. Compress the reservoir before replacing the cap
- D. Clamp the drain every hour to measure output
Explanation: Compressing the reservoir before replacing the cap recreates negative pressure and supports drainage.
Correct answer: Compress the reservoir before replacing the cap- A. Administer another dose for the severe pain
- B. Withhold the opioid and assess airway and breathing
- C. Ask the patient to walk to improve alertness
- D. Place a heating pad over the incision
Explanation: A respiratory rate of 8 and reduced consciousness suggest opioid-induced respiratory depression, so airway and breathing take priority.
Correct answer: Withhold the opioid and assess airway and breathing- A. I will take rapid shallow breaths every hour
- B. I will inhale slowly, hold briefly, and exhale
- C. I will avoid coughing until the incision heals
- D. I will lie flat during every breathing exercise
Explanation: Slow deep inhalation followed by a brief hold helps expand the alveoli and prevent atelectasis.
Correct answer: I will inhale slowly, hold briefly, and exhale