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 3 of 30
- A. Applying a tighter chest dressing
- B. Preparing for an escharotomy
- C. Massaging the burned chest wall
- D. Placing the patient flat without support
Explanation: A tight eschar around the chest can restrict ventilation as swelling develops.
Correct answer: Preparing for an escharotomy- A. Using the same gloves for each wound
- B. Performing hand hygiene before wound care
- C. Leaving the wound uncovered between procedures
- D. Cleaning from the wound edge toward the centre
Explanation: Hand hygiene before and after wound care is a basic measure for preventing transmission of organisms.
Correct answer: Performing hand hygiene before wound care- A. Left-sided haemothorax
- B. Right-sided tension pneumothorax
- C. Simple rib fracture
- D. Acute pulmonary oedema
Explanation: Blood in the pleural space causes reduced breath sounds, dull percussion, respiratory compromise, and possible hypovolaemic shock.
Correct answer: Left-sided haemothorax- A. Elevate the limb and observe closely
- B. Apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound
- C. Remove clots from the wound with gauze
- D. Give oral fluids while awaiting review
Explanation: Life-threatening extremity haemorrhage that is not controlled by pressure requires a tourniquet placed proximal to the wound.
Correct answer: Apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound- A. Pack the nostril firmly with gauze
- B. Suction deeply through the nostril
- C. Place a sterile dressing under the nose
- D. Ask the patient to blow the nose gently
Explanation: Clear drainage may be cerebrospinal fluid from a skull-base fracture, so it should be allowed to drain onto a sterile dressing for…
Correct answer: Place a sterile dressing under the nose- A. Give the next prescribed analgesic dose
- B. Support the airway and administer prescribed naloxone
- C. Place the patient in a warm bath
- D. Encourage the patient to walk around
Explanation: The findings indicate opioid-induced respiratory depression, so airway and breathing take priority.
Correct answer: Support the airway and administer prescribed naloxone- A. Obtain ordered blood cultures and give antibiotics promptly
- B. Restrict fluids until the fever has resolved
- C. Apply a tight abdominal binder immediately
- D. Give a sedative before reassessing vital signs
Explanation: This pattern suggests septic shock, in which infection-related vasodilation causes hypotension and warm skin early in the course.
Correct answer: Obtain ordered blood cultures and give antibiotics promptly- A. Allow the leg to hang unsupported
- B. Apply a suitable traction splint
- C. Manipulate the fracture until it is straight
- D. Apply heat directly over the fracture
Explanation: A traction splint can reduce movement, pain, bleeding, and muscle spasm in a suitable isolated femoral shaft fracture.
Correct answer: Apply a suitable traction splint- A. Bradycardia with warm dry skin
- B. Bounding pulses with flushed skin
- C. Low urine output with increasing restlessness
- D. Slow breathing with equal pupils
Explanation: Reduced circulating volume lowers renal perfusion and produces oliguria, while cerebral hypoperfusion may cause restlessness.
Correct answer: Low urine output with increasing restlessness- A. Tension pneumothorax
- B. Cardiac tamponade
- C. Massive haemothorax
- D. Pulmonary contusion
Explanation: The combination of hypotension, raised venous pressure, and muffled heart sounds is Beck's triad, which suggests cardiac tamponade.
Correct answer: Cardiac tamponade- A. Place the patient in a quiet room and recheck pressure later
- B. Assess neurological status and notify the healthcare provider promptly
- C. Encourage oral fluids and ask the patient to walk slowly
- D. Administer the next scheduled antihypertensive dose only
Explanation: Severe hypertension with neurological symptoms may indicate acute target-organ injury.
Correct answer: Assess neurological status and notify the healthcare provider promptly- A. I will swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
- B. I will stand up after taking the tablet to improve circulation
- C. I will seek emergency help if pain continues after five minutes
- D. I will store the tablets in an open container near sunlight
Explanation: Chest pain that is not relieved within five minutes after the first nitroglycerin dose requires emergency evaluation.
Correct answer: I will seek emergency help if pain continues after five minutes- A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG as soon as possible
- B. Offer a meal to reduce nausea and weakness
- C. Encourage deep breathing to reduce cardiac workload
- D. Ask the patient to walk to assess exercise tolerance
Explanation: A rapid 12-lead ECG helps identify myocardial infarction and guides urgent treatment.
Correct answer: Obtain a 12-lead ECG as soon as possible- A. Dependent ankle oedema at the end of the day
- B. Distended neck veins while sitting upright
- C. Crackles and breathlessness when lying flat
- D. Enlarged liver with right upper quadrant discomfort
Explanation: Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary congestion, producing crackles, dyspnoea and orthopnoea.
Correct answer: Crackles and breathlessness when lying flat- A. Give the dose and reassess the pulse after one hour
- B. Hold digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
- C. Give an extra dose to improve cardiac contractility
- D. Administer nitroglycerin for the visual disturbance
Explanation: Gastrointestinal symptoms, visual changes and bradycardia suggest digoxin toxicity.
Correct answer: Hold digoxin and notify the healthcare provider- A. Regular rhythm with a P wave before every QRS
- B. Irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves
- C. Wide QRS complexes occurring at a regular slow rate
- D. Saw-tooth flutter waves with a regular ventricular rhythm
Explanation: Atrial fibrillation produces chaotic atrial activity, absent distinct P waves and an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm.
Correct answer: Irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves- A. Document the gain as an expected response to treatment
- B. Report the findings because they suggest fluid retention
- C. Encourage extra fluids to prevent dehydration
- D. Ask the patient to skip the prescribed diuretic dose
Explanation: A rapid weight gain of about 2 kilograms suggests fluid accumulation and worsening heart failure, especially with dyspnoea.
Correct answer: Report the findings because they suggest fluid retention- A. I will use ibuprofen whenever joint pain occurs
- B. I will report unusual bleeding or black stools promptly
- C. I can stop warfarin when my valve symptoms improve
- D. I should double the next dose after missing one tablet
Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so unusual bleeding, black stools or bruising must be reported.
Correct answer: I will report unusual bleeding or black stools promptly- A. Start chest compressions and activate the emergency response
- B. Obtain a detailed history of previous cardiac disease
- C. Give oral fluids while waiting for the cardiology team
- D. Place the patient in a sitting position for easier breathing
Explanation: Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a cardiac arrest rhythm. The priority is immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and activation of…
Correct answer: Start chest compressions and activate the emergency response- A. Apply firm direct pressure to the puncture site
- B. Raise the head of the bed to improve comfort
- C. Encourage walking to improve circulation
- D. Apply a warm compress over the dressing
Explanation: Active bleeding after femoral catheterisation requires immediate firm direct pressure to prevent major blood loss.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure to the puncture site