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- 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 rupture84. A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which instruction is most appropriate?
- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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- 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