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 6 of 30
- A. Encourage the patient to drink warm water
- B. Assess the airway and call for emergency help
- C. Place the patient flat and elevate the legs
- D. Administer a prescribed oral bronchodilator
Explanation: Stridor, inability to speak normally and cyanosis indicate a life-threatening upper airway obstruction.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and call for emergency help- A. Place the patient in the recovery position
- B. Begin chest compressions and activate emergency response
- C. Give two rescue breaths before calling for help
- D. Check the blood pressure before starting treatment
Explanation: Occasional gasping is not normal breathing, and an absent pulse indicates cardiac arrest.
Correct answer: Begin chest compressions and activate emergency response- A. Offer oral fluids to thin respiratory secretions
- B. Apply prescribed oxygen and summon urgent assistance
- C. Encourage coughing and reassess after thirty minutes
- D. Administer an oral antipyretic for the fever
Explanation: Severe hypoxaemia and altered mental status show life-threatening breathing failure.
Correct answer: Apply prescribed oxygen and summon urgent assistance- A. Silence the alarm and leave the patient undisturbed
- B. Assess the patient, oxygenation and ventilator connections
- C. Increase the tidal volume to overcome the alarm
- D. Disconnect the ventilator and wait for improvement
Explanation: The patient is assessed before troubleshooting equipment because a high-pressure alarm may result from secretions, biting, bronchospasm or…
Correct answer: Assess the patient, oxygenation and ventilator connections- A. Start prescribed isotonic intravenous fluid replacement
- B. Give a prescribed oral laxative to clear the bowel
- C. Place a warm blanket and delay intravenous access
- D. Restrict fluids until the blood pressure improves
Explanation: The findings indicate hypovolaemic shock from fluid loss, so rapid vascular access and prescribed isotonic fluid replacement support…
Correct answer: Start prescribed isotonic intravenous fluid replacement- A. A temperature of 38.1°C
- B. A heart rate of 104 beats per minute
- C. Hypotension with altered mental status
- D. A history of treated hypertension
Explanation: Hypotension together with confusion suggests inadequate organ perfusion and possible septic shock.
Correct answer: Hypotension with altered mental status- A. Naloxone to reverse opioid respiratory depression
- B. Flumazenil to reverse opioid respiratory depression
- C. Atropine to treat opioid-related bradycardia
- D. Protamine to reverse opioid anticoagulation
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Correct answer: Naloxone to reverse opioid respiratory depression- A. Place the patient on continuous cardiac monitoring
- B. Encourage potassium-rich fruit and fruit juice
- C. Administer a prescribed potassium supplement
- D. Remove the cardiac monitor to reduce anxiety
Explanation: Severe hyperkalaemia with ECG changes can rapidly cause fatal dysrhythmias, so continuous cardiac monitoring and urgent medical escalation…
Correct answer: Place the patient on continuous cardiac monitoring- A. A patient with a closed ankle fracture and normal breathing
- B. A patient with minor burns who walks independently
- C. A patient with severe breathing difficulty and cyanosis
- D. A patient with a superficial scalp wound and stable vital signs
Explanation: Severe breathing difficulty and cyanosis indicate an immediate threat to life under the ABCDE approach.
Correct answer: A patient with severe breathing difficulty and cyanosis- A. Suction the mouth while maintaining cervical alignment
- B. Give oral fluids to clear the blood from the mouth
- C. Place the patient in a sitting position without support
- D. Insert a nasogastric tube before clearing the airway
Explanation: Gurgling indicates fluid obstructing the airway, so suction is needed while spinal precautions are maintained because facial trauma may…
Correct answer: Suction the mouth while maintaining cervical alignment- A. Apply firm direct pressure over the wound
- B. Elevate the injured leg above the heart
- C. Clean the wound with antiseptic solution
- D. Assess the patient’s pain score carefully
Explanation: Severe external haemorrhage is an immediate circulation threat, so firm direct pressure should begin at once.
Correct answer: Apply firm direct pressure over the wound- A. Intramuscular adrenaline
- B. Intravenous furosemide
- C. Oral cetirizine
- D. Subcutaneous insulin
Explanation: The combination of airway swelling, bronchospasm and circulatory symptoms indicates anaphylaxis.
Correct answer: Intramuscular adrenaline- A. Administer high-concentration oxygen and call for immediate decompression
- B. Place the patient flat and reassess after fifteen minutes
- C. Encourage coughing to clear possible airway secretions
- D. Start oral fluids while awaiting a chest radiograph
Explanation: These findings strongly suggest tension pneumothorax, which can rapidly obstruct venous return and cause shock.
Correct answer: Administer high-concentration oxygen and call for immediate decompression- A. Give a rapidly absorbed oral glucose source
- B. Administer the prescribed long-acting insulin
- C. Restrict oral intake until the glucose is repeated
- D. Give a high-protein meal without checking again
Explanation: The symptoms and glucose level indicate symptomatic hypoglycaemia. A conscious patient who can swallow safely should receive fast-acting…
Correct answer: Give a rapidly absorbed oral glucose source- A. Maintain airway support and continuously monitor oxygenation
- B. Allow the patient to sleep without further observations
- C. Remove all monitoring leads to reduce stimulation
- D. Give oral water before checking the neurological state
Explanation: Return of spontaneous circulation does not end the emergency because recurrent dysrhythmia, hypoxia and neurological injury may occur.
Correct answer: Maintain airway support and continuously monitor oxygenation- A. Keep the head of the bed elevated thirty to forty-five degrees
- B. Keep the patient completely flat during feeding
- C. Disconnect the ventilator briefly every hour
- D. Give routine antibiotics to prevent all respiratory infections
Explanation: Head elevation reduces aspiration of gastric contents and is a key preventive measure for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Correct answer: Keep the head of the bed elevated thirty to forty-five degrees- A. Atropine
- B. Naloxone
- C. Protamine
- D. Vitamin K
Explanation: The cholinergic symptoms indicate organophosphate poisoning. Atropine blocks muscarinic effects such as bronchial secretions and…
Correct answer: Atropine- A. Protect the patient from injury and maintain airway safety
- B. Offer water to correct the suspected dehydration
- C. Restrain the limbs to stop all movement
- D. Place a spoon between the patient’s teeth
Explanation: During a seizure, airway protection and prevention of injury are the immediate priorities.
Correct answer: Protect the patient from injury and maintain airway safety- A. Synchronized cardioversion
- B. Routine chest compressions
- C. Oral potassium replacement
- D. A slow intravenous fluid restriction
Explanation: A rapid wide-complex rhythm with hypotension and chest pain is an unstable tachyarrhythmia.
Correct answer: Synchronized cardioversion- A. Prompt preparation for prescribed vasopressor therapy
- B. Administration of oral antihypertensive medicine
- C. Removal of intravenous access to prevent fluid overload
- D. Delay of treatment until the next routine blood pressure
Explanation: Persistent poor perfusion and low pressure after initial fluid resuscitation suggest septic shock requiring vasopressor support according…
Correct answer: Prompt preparation for prescribed vasopressor therapy