2026/2027 Update – Advanced Medical-Surgical
Nursing Questions with Verified Answers and
Elaborated Solutions
Academic Year
Q: A client who has been receiving radiation therapy for bladder cancer tells the nurse
that it feels as if she is voiding through the vagina. The nurse interprets that the client may
be experiencing which condition?
1.Rupture of the bladder
2.The development of a vesicovaginal fistula
3.Extreme stress caused by the diagnosis of cancer
4.Altered perineal sensation as a side effect of radiation therapy
2
Rationale: A vesicovaginal fistula is a genital fistula that occurs between the bladder and
vagina. The fistula is an abnormal opening between these two body parts and, if this occurs,
the client may experience drainage of urine through the vagina. The client's complaint is
not associated with options 1, 3, or 4.
Q: The nurse is teaching a client about the risk factors associated with colorectal cancer.
The nurse determines that further teaching is necessary related to colorectal cancer if the
client identifies which item as an associated risk factor?
1.Age younger than 50 years
2.History of colorectal polyps
3.Family history of colorectal cancer 4.Chronic inflammatory bowel disease
1
,Rationale:Colorectal cancer risk factors include age older than 50 years, a family history of
the disease, colorectal polyps, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Q: The nurse is assessing the perineal wound in a client who has returned from the
operating room following an abdominal perineal resection and notes serosanguineous
drainage from the wound. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1.Clamp the surgical drain.
2.Change the dressing as prescribed.
3.Notify the health care provider (HCP). 4.Remove and replace the perineal packing.
2
Rationale:Immediately after surgery, profuse serosanguineous drainage from the perineal
wound is expected. Therefore, the nurse should change the dressing as prescribed. A
surgical drain should not be clamped because this action will cause the accumulation of
drainage within the tissue. The nurse does not need to notify the HCP at this time. Drains
and packing are removed gradually over a period of 5 to 7 days as prescribed. The nurse
should not remove the perineal packing.
Q: The nurse is reviewing the history of a client with bladder cancer. The nurse expects to
note documentation of which most common sign or symptom of this type of cancer?
1.Dysuria
2.Hematuria
3.Urgency on urination
4.Frequency of urination
2
Rationale:The most common sign in clients with cancer of the bladder is hematuria. The
client also may experience irritative voiding symptoms such as frequency, urgency, and
dysuria, and these symptoms often are associated with carcinoma in situ. Dysuria, urgency,
and frequency of urination are also symptoms of a bladder infection.
,Q: A client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is
being assessed by the nurse. Which assessment findings would be consistent with acute
pancreatitis? Select all that apply.
1.Diarrhea
2.Black, tarry stools
3.Hyperactive bowel sounds
4.Gray-blue color at the flank
5.Abdominal guarding and tenderness 6.Left upper quadrant pain with radiation to the
back
4, 5, 6
Rationale:Grayish-blue discoloration at the flank is known as Grey-Turner's sign and occurs
as a result of pancreatic enzyme leakage to cutaneous tissue from the peritoneal cavity. The
client may demonstrate abdominal guarding and may complain of tenderness with
palpation. The pain associated with acute pancreatitis is often sudden in onset and is
located in the epigastric region or left upper quadrant with radiation to the back. The other
options are incorrect.
Q: The nurse is reviewing the prescription for a client admitted to the hospital with a
diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which interventions would the nurse expect to be
prescribed for the client? Select all that apply.
1.Maintain NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
2.Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
3.Give small, frequent high-calorie feedings.
4.Maintain the client in a supine and flat position.
5.Give hydromorphone intravenously as prescribed for pain.
6.Maintain intravenous fluids at 10 mL/hour to keep the vein open
1, 2, 5
, Rationale:The client with acute pancreatitis normally is placed on NPO status to rest the
pancreas and suppress gastrointestinal secretions, so adequate intravenous hydration is
necessary. Because abdominal pain is a prominent symptom of pancreatitis, pain
medications such as morphine or hydromorphone are prescribed. Meperidine is avoided, as
it may cause seizures. Some clients experience lessened pain by assuming positions that flex
the trunk, with the knees drawn up to the chest. A side-lying position with the head elevated
45 degrees decreases tension on the abdomen and may help to ease the pain. The client is
susceptible to respiratory infections because the retroperitoneal fluid raises the diaphragm,
which causes the client to take shallow, guarded abdominal breaths. Therefore, measures
such as turning, coughing, and deep breathing are instituted.
Q: The nurse is reviewing the record of a client with a diagnosis of cirrhosis and notes that
there is documentation of the presence of asterixis. How should the nurse assess for its
presence?
1.Dorsiflex the client's foot.
2.Measure the abdominal girth.
3.Ask the client to extend the arms.
4.Instruct the client to lean forward.
3
Rationale:Asterixis is irregular flapping movements of the fingers and wrists when the
hands and arms are outstretched, with the palms down, wrists bent up, and fingers spread.
Asterixis is the most common and reliable sign that hepatic encephalopathy is developing.
Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.