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 8 of 30
- A. Slow the transfusion and reassess after 15 minutes
- B. Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline
- C. Administer the next prescribed unit using new tubing
- D. Give an antipyretic and continue the transfusion slowly
Explanation: These findings suggest an acute transfusion reaction, so the transfusion must be stopped immediately.
Correct answer: Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline- A. Equal chest movement on both sides
- B. Auscultated breath sounds over both lungs
- C. Continuous waveform capnography showing exhaled carbon dioxide
- D. A pulse oximeter reading of 96 percent
Explanation: Continuous waveform capnography confirms exhaled carbon dioxide and is the most reliable immediate method for confirming tracheal…
Correct answer: Continuous waveform capnography showing exhaled carbon dioxide- A. Insert a padded tongue blade into the mouth
- B. Restrain the arms and legs to prevent injury
- C. Protect the airway and prepare the prescribed benzodiazepine
- D. Offer oral water after each convulsion stops
Explanation: Prolonged seizure activity threatens breathing and requires rapid anticonvulsant treatment, so airway protection and preparation of a…
Correct answer: Protect the airway and prepare the prescribed benzodiazepine- A. Calcium gluconate
- B. Sodium bicarbonate
- C. Potassium chloride
- D. Regular insulin
Explanation: Absent reflexes and respiratory depression indicate magnesium toxicity.
Correct answer: Calcium gluconate- A. Place the patient flat and encourage oral fluids
- B. Elevate the head, maintain airway support and notify the emergency team
- C. Give a sedative and dim the room lights
- D. Perform repeated deep suctioning to stimulate consciousness
Explanation: Reduced consciousness, vomiting and unequal pupils may indicate rising intracranial pressure with possible herniation.
Correct answer: Elevate the head, maintain airway support and notify the emergency team- A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
- B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
- C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
- D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Explanation: The low pH shows acidaemia, and the raised PaCO2 identifies a respiratory cause.
Correct answer: Uncompensated respiratory acidosis- A. Begin chest compressions immediately
- B. Administer intravenous adrenaline
- C. Assess the patient and check the electrodes and cable connections
- D. Prepare the defibrillator for an unsynchronised shock
Explanation: The patient clearly has circulation, so the monitor tracing is probably artefact or a disconnected lead.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and check the electrodes and cable connections- A. Offer small sips of cool water
- B. Apply a non-rebreather oxygen mask and call for early airway evaluation
- C. Wait for facial swelling before preparing airway equipment
- D. Place the patient supine and encourage coughing
Explanation: Soot and hoarseness suggest inhalation injury, and airway swelling can progress rapidly.
Correct answer: Apply a non-rebreather oxygen mask and call for early airway evaluation- A. Encourage the patient to walk to assess leg movement
- B. Apply a pelvic binder according to emergency protocol
- C. Massage the abdomen to locate the bleeding site
- D. Place the patient in a sitting position without support
Explanation: Pelvic fractures can cause major concealed haemorrhage even without external bleeding.
Correct answer: Apply a pelvic binder according to emergency protocol- A. Oropharyngeal airway
- B. Nasopharyngeal airway
- C. Cuffed endotracheal tube
- D. Supraglottic airway device
Explanation: An oropharyngeal airway holds the tongue away from the posterior pharynx in an unconscious patient without a gag reflex.
Correct answer: Oropharyngeal airway- A. Intravenous isotonic fluid replacement
- B. Subcutaneous long-acting insulin
- C. Oral potassium replacement
- D. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate routinely
Explanation: Circulatory support is the immediate priority because severe dehydration causes hypovolaemia and shock in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Correct answer: Intravenous isotonic fluid replacement- A. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
- B. Give the usual dose of rapid-acting insulin
- C. Provide a meal high in fat and protein
- D. Ask the patient to rest and recheck later
Explanation: A conscious patient who can swallow should receive about 15 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate, followed by a glucose recheck after about…
Correct answer: Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate153. When preparing one syringe containing regular insulin and NPH insulin, which technique is correct?
- A. Draw cloudy insulin before clear insulin
- B. Draw clear insulin before cloudy insulin
- C. Shake both insulin vials vigorously first
- D. Mix glargine with NPH in the same syringe
Explanation: Regular insulin is clear and NPH insulin is cloudy, so clear insulin is drawn up before cloudy insulin.
Correct answer: Draw clear insulin before cloudy insulin- A. Marked hyperglycaemia with little or no ketosis
- B. Abdominal pain with deep rapid respirations
- C. Positive serum ketones with metabolic acidosis
- D. A fruity odour on the patient's breath
Explanation: Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state usually causes extreme hyperglycaemia, profound dehydration and altered mental status with minimal…
Correct answer: Marked hyperglycaemia with little or no ketosis- A. Walk barefoot indoors to strengthen the feet
- B. Inspect the feet every day using a mirror if needed
- C. Soak the feet in hot water before applying lotion
- D. Cut the nails deeply into the corners each week
Explanation: Daily inspection helps the patient identify blisters, cuts and infection before they become serious ulcers.
Correct answer: Inspect the feet every day using a mirror if needed- A. Stop basal insulin until food intake returns
- B. Check glucose and ketones more often than usual
- C. Drink only sugar-free fluids regardless of glucose level
- D. Exercise to lower the blood glucose level
Explanation: Illness can increase counter-regulatory hormones and insulin requirements, even when the patient is eating less.
Correct answer: Check glucose and ketones more often than usual- A. Progressive autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
- B. Peripheral insulin resistance with gradual beta-cell failure
- C. Excess cortisol causing persistent insulin resistance
- D. Reduced thyroid hormone causing slow glucose absorption
Explanation: Type 1 diabetes results from destruction of pancreatic beta cells, causing little or no endogenous insulin production.
Correct answer: Progressive autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells- A. Place the patient in a cool environment and assess vital signs frequently
- B. Encourage vigorous exercise to reduce nervous energy
- C. Offer a high-fibre meal before completing the assessment
- D. Apply extra blankets to prevent heat loss
Explanation: Fever, severe tachycardia and confusion may indicate thyroid storm, a life-threatening emergency.
Correct answer: Place the patient in a cool environment and assess vital signs frequently- A. Intravenous hydrocortisone with isotonic fluid replacement
- B. Fluid restriction with a low-sodium diet
- C. Insulin infusion with potassium restriction
- D. Levothyroxine with oral calcium supplements
Explanation: These findings suggest an adrenal crisis caused by inadequate cortisol and aldosterone, with shock risk from hypovolaemia.
Correct answer: Intravenous hydrocortisone with isotonic fluid replacement- A. Restrict oral fluids to prevent worsening polyuria
- B. Administer prescribed desmopressin and monitor fluid balance
- C. Give rapid-acting insulin and check urine ketones
- D. Provide a low-protein diet and limit sodium strictly
Explanation: Diabetes insipidus results from inadequate antidiuretic hormone effect, causing excessive loss of dilute water.
Correct answer: Administer prescribed desmopressin and monitor fluid balance