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 5 of 30

  • A. It is falsely lower than the true pressure
  • B. It is falsely higher than the true pressure
  • C. It causes an inaccurate pulse pressure only
  • D. It has no meaningful effect on the reading

Explanation: A cuff that is too small requires greater pressure to compress the artery, producing a falsely high blood pressure reading.

Correct answer: It is falsely higher than the true pressure
Fairly easy
  • A. Serum alanine aminotransferase level
  • B. Serum potassium level
  • C. Activated partial thromboplastin time
  • D. White blood cell count

Explanation: Atorvastatin can cause liver injury, so liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase are monitored when clinically indicated.

Correct answer: Serum alanine aminotransferase level
  • A. Ventricular septal rupture
  • B. Uncomplicated sinus bradycardia
  • C. Stable coronary artery spasm
  • D. Chronic peripheral oedema

Explanation: A new harsh systolic murmur with sudden heart failure after myocardial infarction suggests ventricular septal rupture.

Correct answer: Ventricular septal rupture
Moderate
  • A. Use salt substitutes freely with meals
  • B. Report muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat
  • C. Increase potassium-rich foods every day
  • D. Take an extra dose after missed urination

Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so hyperkalaemia may cause weakness or dysrhythmias.

Correct answer: Report muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat
  • A. Obtain prescribed blood cultures before antibiotics
  • B. Encourage vigorous ambulation to lower fever
  • C. Give aspirin and reassess the murmur later
  • D. Restrict all fluids until the fever resolves

Explanation: Fever, chills and a new murmur in a patient with a prosthetic valve suggest infective endocarditis.

Correct answer: Obtain prescribed blood cultures before antibiotics
Easy
  • A. Sinus bradycardia
  • B. Complete heart block
  • C. Atrial fibrillation
  • D. Ventricular fibrillation

Explanation: A slow but regular rhythm with one consistent P wave before every QRS complex is sinus bradycardia.

Correct answer: Sinus bradycardia
  • A. Respiratory rate and level of consciousness
  • B. Bowel sounds and abdominal tenderness
  • C. Skin turgor and oral temperature
  • D. Visual acuity and pupil colour

Explanation: Morphine can depress respirations and consciousness, so airway and breathing assessment takes priority.

Correct answer: Respiratory rate and level of consciousness
Fairly easy
  • A. A wide pulse pressure
  • B. A fixed split second heart sound
  • C. A slow, weak peripheral pulse
  • D. A loud opening snap after S2

Explanation: Aortic regurgitation allows blood to flow back into the left ventricle during diastole, producing a widened pulse pressure.

Correct answer: A wide pulse pressure
  • A. Rise slowly and sit at the bedside first
  • B. Stop the medicine whenever dizziness occurs
  • C. Take the medicine only when the pulse is rapid
  • D. Drink extra fluids before every dose

Explanation: Carvedilol can lower blood pressure and contribute to orthostatic dizziness.

Correct answer: Rise slowly and sit at the bedside first
  • A. Synchronized cardioversion
  • B. Routine oral antihypertensive therapy
  • C. Unsupervised carotid massage
  • D. Delayed treatment after a meal

Explanation: The patient is unstable because the tachycardia is accompanied by hypotension and chest discomfort.

Correct answer: Synchronized cardioversion
  • A. Chewable aspirin
  • B. Oral warfarin
  • C. Intramuscular vitamin K
  • D. Slow-release nifedipine

Explanation: Chewable aspirin reduces platelet aggregation and helps limit coronary thrombus formation during suspected acute coronary syndrome.

Correct answer: Chewable aspirin
Fairly easy
  • A. Holosystolic murmur radiating to the axilla
  • B. Harsh ejection murmur radiating to the neck
  • C. Mid-diastolic murmur with opening snap
  • D. Continuous machinery murmur below the clavicle

Explanation: Mitral regurgitation commonly produces a holosystolic murmur that radiates toward the left axilla because blood flows back into the left…

Correct answer: Holosystolic murmur radiating to the axilla
  • A. Complete heart block
  • B. First-degree heart block
  • C. Sinus bradycardia
  • D. Atrial fibrillation

Explanation: Complete heart block causes atrioventricular dissociation, so the atria and ventricles beat independently.

Correct answer: Complete heart block
  • A. Sitting upright and leaning forward
  • B. Lying flat with legs elevated
  • C. Right lateral position with knees flexed
  • D. Trendelenburg position with the head low

Explanation: Sitting upright and leaning forward often decreases the inflamed pericardial surfaces rubbing against each other and may relieve pain.

Correct answer: Sitting upright and leaning forward
Fairly easy
  • A. It supports ventricular strain and heart failure
  • B. It confirms an acute bacterial endocarditis
  • C. It indicates severe liver failure
  • D. It proves the patient has pulmonary embolism

Explanation: B-type natriuretic peptide is released when the ventricles are stretched, so an increased level supports ventricular strain and heart…

Correct answer: It supports ventricular strain and heart failure
  • A. Synchronized electrical cardioversion
  • B. Routine oral potassium replacement
  • C. Unscheduled exercise testing
  • D. Slow infusion of oral digoxin only

Explanation: Hypotension and chest pain indicate haemodynamic instability, so synchronized cardioversion is the priority treatment for unstable atrial…

Correct answer: Synchronized electrical cardioversion
Easy
  • A. Serum potassium 2.9 mmol/L
  • B. Serum sodium 140 mmol/L
  • C. Serum calcium 2.3 mmol/L
  • D. Serum chloride 102 mmol/L

Explanation: Hydrochlorothiazide can increase urinary potassium loss, and hypokalaemia can cause weakness, cramps and dysrhythmias.

Correct answer: Serum potassium 2.9 mmol/L
  • A. Plan rest periods between activities
  • B. Avoid all physical activity permanently
  • C. Take extra doses of medicine before exertion
  • D. Complete strenuous tasks immediately after meals

Explanation: Planned rest periods reduce oxygen demand and help prevent fatigue and exertional chest discomfort.

Correct answer: Plan rest periods between activities
  • A. Cardiac tamponade
  • B. Left ventricular hypertrophy
  • C. Chronic venous insufficiency
  • D. Stable exertional angina

Explanation: Hypotension, jugular venous distention and muffled heart sounds are classic features of cardiac tamponade caused by pressure from fluid…

Correct answer: Cardiac tamponade
  • A. Ankle oedema
  • B. Severe hypoglycaemia
  • C. Green-yellow visual halos
  • D. Persistent dry cough

Explanation: Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, commonly causes peripheral ankle oedema from arteriolar vasodilation.

Correct answer: Ankle oedema