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 25 of 30
- A. Clean from the outer area toward the incision
- B. Clean from the incision outward in circles
- C. Scrub the incision repeatedly with dry gauze
- D. Clean the most contaminated area before the incision
Explanation: Skin preparation begins at the incision and moves outward in widening circles to avoid bringing organisms toward the surgical site.
Correct answer: Clean from the incision outward in circles- A. The back from the shoulders to the waist
- B. The front from the chest to the waist
- C. The lower front below the waist
- D. The sleeves behind the elbows
Explanation: The front of the gown is sterile from the chest to the level of the sterile field, and the sleeves are sterile from the cuff to several…
Correct answer: The front from the chest to the waist- A. Place the arm in greater abduction
- B. Reposition the arm below 90 degrees
- C. Apply a tight strap across the elbow
- D. Place the palm downward without support
Explanation: Keeping the arm below 90 degrees reduces stretching and compression of the brachial plexus.
Correct answer: Reposition the arm below 90 degrees- A. Leave it unlabeled until the operation ends
- B. Place it in a container with the correct preservative
- C. Wrap it in a dry towel for transport
- D. Send it without confirming the patient's identity
Explanation: The specimen must be placed in the appropriate container, correctly labeled, and matched with the patient's identity and operative…
Correct answer: Place it in a container with the correct preservative- A. Continue the injection at a slower rate
- B. Stop the injection and alert the anaesthesia provider
- C. Offer oral fluids to reduce the symptoms
- D. Place the patient prone and leave the area
Explanation: Tinnitus, a metallic taste, restlessness and later seizures can indicate local anaesthetic systemic toxicity.
Correct answer: Stop the injection and alert the anaesthesia provider- A. Apply warm blankets and monitor the temperature
- B. Give an extra opioid to suppress the shivering
- C. Expose the patient to cool air for observation
- D. Restrict oxygen until the shivering stops
Explanation: Postoperative hypothermia increases oxygen consumption and may worsen cardiac stress, so gradual active warming and continued monitoring…
Correct answer: Apply warm blankets and monitor the temperature- A. Encourage the patient to drink two litres quickly
- B. Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without an order
- D. Document the finding as an expected response
Explanation: Anaesthesia, opioids and immobility can cause postoperative urinary retention.
Correct answer: Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan- A. Mild incisional tenderness during movement
- B. Increasing distention with vomiting and absent flatus
- C. A small amount of serous drainage on the dressing
- D. Reduced appetite during the first postoperative meal
Explanation: Progressive distention, vomiting and failure to pass flatus suggest postoperative ileus or another bowel complication and require prompt…
Correct answer: Increasing distention with vomiting and absent flatus- A. Place the patient side lying and clear the airway
- B. Give oral water to remove the taste of vomit
- C. Keep the patient flat and wait for recovery
- D. Administer an antiemetic before checking breathing
Explanation: A drowsy patient has a reduced protective cough and is at risk of aspiration.
Correct answer: Place the patient side lying and clear the airway- A. Keep the dressing moist with tap water
- B. Use aseptic technique when changing the dressing
- C. Apply antibiotic powder to every incision
- D. Remove the dressing repeatedly to inspect the wound
Explanation: Aseptic technique reduces transfer of microorganisms to the incision and supports normal healing.
Correct answer: Use aseptic technique when changing the dressing- A. Acrylic nail polish only
- B. A removable dental plate
- C. A hospital identification band
- D. A compression stocking
Explanation: A removable dental plate can obstruct the airway or become displaced during anaesthesia, so it is removed and safely stored.
Correct answer: A removable dental plate- A. Keep the hands below the elbows
- B. Allow water to flow from elbows to fingers
- C. Keep the hands above the elbows
- D. Dry the hands from elbows toward fingers
Explanation: Keeping the hands above the elbows allows contaminated water to flow away from the clean hands.
Correct answer: Keep the hands above the elbows- A. After the incision is closed
- B. Before the surgical incision
- C. When the patient reaches the ward
- D. Only if a fever develops
Explanation: The antibiotic should be given before incision so adequate tissue levels are present when contamination can occur.
Correct answer: Before the surgical incision- A. Temporary numbness in the blocked arm
- B. Mild weakness of the blocked arm
- C. Difficulty breathing after the block
- D. Warm skin at the injection site
Explanation: Difficulty breathing may indicate respiratory muscle involvement or another serious complication of the regional block, making breathing…
Correct answer: Difficulty breathing after the block- A. Increase oxygen flow around the face
- B. Keep alcohol preparation wet
- C. Allow the antiseptic to dry fully
- D. Cover the ignition source with gauze
Explanation: Alcohol-based skin preparations must dry completely before electrosurgical equipment is used because wet solution can ignite.
Correct answer: Allow the antiseptic to dry fully- A. Clamp the catheter for one hour
- B. Straighten the tubing and check drainage
- C. Disconnect the bag and irrigate routinely
- D. Raise the drainage bag above the bladder
Explanation: The tubing should be free of kinks and positioned below bladder level to allow dependent drainage.
Correct answer: Straighten the tubing and check drainage- A. Massage the painful calf gently
- B. Encourage vigorous walking
- C. Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider
- D. Apply a tight elastic bandage immediately
Explanation: Unilateral calf pain, warmth and swelling suggest possible deep vein thrombosis.
Correct answer: Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider- A. Increase the infusion rate
- B. Place the patient flat in bed
- C. Stop or slow the infusion as prescribed and assess breathing
- D. Offer extra oral fluids
Explanation: The findings suggest fluid overload with impaired breathing, so the nurse should address breathing and prevent further fluid…
Correct answer: Stop or slow the infusion as prescribed and assess breathing- A. It confirms that the patient can eat normally
- B. It helps identify bleeding or fluid loss
- C. It proves that the incision is already healed
- D. It prevents every wound infection
Explanation: Drain amount, colour and character help identify bleeding, leakage or changing postoperative fluid loss.
Correct answer: It helps identify bleeding or fluid loss- A. I will remove the dressing whenever it feels warm
- B. I will report spreading redness or pus from the wound
- C. I will apply antibiotic cream without an order
- D. I will soak the incision until the scab softens
Explanation: Spreading redness, purulent drainage or worsening pain may indicate infection and should be reported.
Correct answer: I will report spreading redness or pus from the wound