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 30 of 30
- A. Air moving through narrowed bronchi
- B. Fluid opening small collapsed airways
- C. Pleural surfaces rubbing together
- D. Complete blockage of a main bronchus
Explanation: Fine crackles occur when small airways or alveoli containing fluid or secretions open during inspiration.
Correct answer: Fluid opening small collapsed airways- A. Supine with the legs elevated
- B. High Fowler position with support
- C. Prone with the head turned sideways
- D. Flat position with the neck flexed
Explanation: High Fowler position promotes maximum lung expansion and reduces pressure from abdominal organs on the diaphragm.
Correct answer: High Fowler position with support- A. Keep the drainage unit below chest level
- B. Clamp the tube during routine ambulation
- C. Empty the water-seal chamber every hour
- D. Place the drainage unit on the patient's bed
Explanation: The drainage system stays below the patient's chest so fluid can drain by gravity and does not flow back into the pleural space.
Correct answer: Keep the drainage unit below chest level- A. Orange-coloured urine
- B. Blurred vision or difficulty seeing colours
- C. Mild nausea after taking the tablet
- D. Increased appetite during treatment
Explanation: Ethambutol can cause optic neuritis, which may appear as blurred vision or impaired red-green colour discrimination.
Correct answer: Blurred vision or difficulty seeing colours- A. Collect the sputum specimen before the first dose
- B. Delay the specimen until the fever resolves
- C. Give the antibiotic before collecting sputum
- D. Discard the order if the cough is productive
Explanation: When the patient is stable, the specimen is collected before antibiotics so the causative organism is less likely to be suppressed.
Correct answer: Collect the sputum specimen before the first dose- A. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
- B. Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
- C. Compensated respiratory acidosis
- D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Explanation: The raised PaCO2 indicates respiratory acidosis, while the raised bicarbonate shows renal compensation.
Correct answer: Compensated respiratory acidosis- A. Apply petroleum jelly inside both nostrils
- B. Assess the prescribed humidification system
- C. Stop oxygen until the irritation ends
- D. Increase the oxygen flow without an order
Explanation: The nurse should assess whether appropriate humidification is prescribed and functioning, especially during prolonged oxygen therapy.
Correct answer: Assess the prescribed humidification system- A. Breathe out forcefully into the device
- B. Inhale slowly through the mouthpiece
- C. Use it only when shortness of breath occurs
- D. Exhale rapidly after every normal breath
Explanation: The patient inhales slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece to raise the indicator and expand dependent alveoli.
Correct answer: Inhale slowly through the mouthpiece- A. Apply suction while advancing the catheter
- B. Preoxygenate the patient with prescribed oxygen
- C. Give oral fluids to loosen the secretions
- D. Deflate the cuff and remove the tube
Explanation: Preoxygenation helps reduce the risk of hypoxemia during the brief suctioning procedure.
Correct answer: Preoxygenate the patient with prescribed oxygen- A. Mild dry mouth after a dose
- B. Tremor with repeated vomiting
- C. Occasional clear sputum production
- D. Slight increase in exercise tolerance
Explanation: Theophylline toxicity may cause nausea, vomiting, tremor, agitation, tachycardia and serious dysrhythmias.
Correct answer: Tremor with repeated vomiting- A. A harsh pleural friction rub
- B. A low-pitched rhonchus
- C. A high-pitched inspiratory wheeze
- D. A hollow bronchial breathing sound
Explanation: A pleural friction rub is a rough, grating sound caused by inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together during breathing.
Correct answer: A harsh pleural friction rub- A. Use the inhaler with a spacer device
- B. Inhale rapidly after pressing the canister
- C. Exhale into the inhaler before pressing it
- D. Repeat each dose without waiting between puffs
Explanation: A spacer holds the medicine so the patient can inhale it more effectively without perfect hand-breath coordination.
Correct answer: Use the inhaler with a spacer device- A. Report possible critical airway obstruction immediately
- B. Encourage the patient to drink warm fluids
- C. Place the patient flat to reduce oxygen demand
- D. Document the change as improvement in bronchospasm
Explanation: A silent chest with ongoing severe dyspnea may mean critically reduced airflow, not recovery.
Correct answer: Report possible critical airway obstruction immediately- A. A non-rebreather mask
- B. A nasal cannula at 2 L per minute
- C. A Venturi mask at 24 percent
- D. A simple face mask at 3 L per minute
Explanation: A non-rebreather mask can provide a high inspired oxygen concentration when its reservoir is inflated and the mask fits properly.
Correct answer: A non-rebreather mask- A. This is an expected effect of the medicine
- B. This indicates severe kidney injury
- C. This proves the tuberculosis is worsening
- D. This means the next dose should be stopped
Explanation: Rifampicin commonly discolours urine, tears, sweat and other body fluids orange-red.
Correct answer: This is an expected effect of the medicine- A. Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
- B. Respiratory acidosis without compensation
- C. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
- D. Respiratory alkalosis without compensation
Explanation: The low pH and low bicarbonate show metabolic acidosis, while the low PaCO2 indicates compensatory hyperventilation.
Correct answer: Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation- A. Place the open tube end in sterile water
- B. Clamp the tube and leave it clamped
- C. Remove the chest tube and apply a dry dressing
- D. Reconnect it after flushing the tube with saline
Explanation: Placing the tube end in sterile water creates a temporary water seal and helps prevent air from entering the pleural space.
Correct answer: Place the open tube end in sterile water- A. Eat small, frequent meals with adequate protein
- B. Drink large amounts of fluid during each meal
- C. Eat one large meal daily to reduce fatigue
- D. Avoid protein because it increases carbon dioxide production
Explanation: Small frequent meals reduce stomach distension and the work of breathing, while adequate protein supports respiratory muscle function.
Correct answer: Eat small, frequent meals with adequate protein- A. Allen test
- B. Romberg test
- C. Babinski test
- D. Brudzinski test
Explanation: The Allen test assesses whether the ulnar artery can supply the hand if radial circulation is reduced.
Correct answer: Allen test- A. Assess airway and breathing, then call for urgent help
- B. Offer oral fluids to loosen respiratory secretions
- C. Encourage coughing and deep breathing exercises
- D. Place the patient in a supine position for comfort
Explanation: Bradypnea, shallow breathing and drowsiness indicate possible respiratory failure, so airway and breathing take priority under the ABC…
Correct answer: Assess airway and breathing, then call for urgent help