Final Med Surg Exam 1-3 Practice
Questions and All Correct Answers.
The RN is assessing an elderly patient's ability to return home after discharge from the hospital
following gallbladder surgery. Which of the following instrumental activity of daily living would
the RN need to consider for discharge?
A. Availability of family support system
B. Patient ability to purchase and cook food
C. Presence of dysphagia
D. Patient ability to dress themselves - Answer B
The patient has a history of dementia and the nurse assesses that the patient gets confused
very easily. What intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to use when communicating
with the patient?
A. Ask "yes/no" questions, one at time
B. Offer the patient multiple options to ensure their patient rights
C. Provide the patient with detailed descriptions of your plan of care for them for your shift
D. Do not communicate with the patient as this will increase their confusion - Answer A
The 18-year-old patient has a new colostomy bag and is going home. They are avoiding
discussion of their diagnosis and colostomy care. What is the nurses' best plan in teaching this
patient?
A. Convince the patient that learning about their health is necessary
B. Focus on knowledge the patient will need in a few weeks
C. Provide the most important information the patient needs to go home
D. Teach the patient's mother - Answer C
The RN is assessing the patient that is complaining of visual changes. The patient complaint of
loss of central vision would alert the RN to which of the following disease processes?
A. Glaucoma
B. Presbycusis
C. Cataracts
D. Macular degeneration - Answer D
The patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and tells the nurse "I'm so worried about my
diabetes. I have young kids and I want to see them grow up. Every diabetic I have known has
died." The nurse replies "When you say you are worried, what do you mean?" Which of the
following therapeutic communication techniques is the nurse displaying?
,A. Confrontation
B. Silence
C. Validation
D. Clarifying - Answer D
A stage three pressure ulcer measures 4 inches wide and 2 inches deep. It has 35 % granulation
tissue, 45% slough with eschar and circumferential undermining and the edges are not well
approximated. The nurse identifies that they doctor's note says that the wound must heal from
the inside, out. Wound care orders include wet to dry dressing changes twice daily. Which of the
following best describes this wound?
A. An unstageable wound
B. Wound base filled with beefy red granulation tissue
C. In the inflammatory (first) phase of healing
D. Healing by secondary intention - Answer D
Which techniques may improve communication when working with an older adult who is
hearing-impaired? (Select all that apply).
A. Speak loudly and use many hand gestures
B. Keep statements short and to the point
C. Restate terms in different ways if the patient does not understand
D. Exaggerate lip movements to help the patient read your lips
E. Give the patient time to respond to questions - Answer B, C, E
The patient has a history of dementia and is admitted to the hospital. What is the most
appropriate RN intervention to promote patient safety?
A. Apply restraints on the patient and give oral sedatives
B. Tell family members they must stay with the patient
C. Move the patient to a room where they can be monitored frequently
D. Keep the patient isolated in a dark and quiet room - Answer C
The patient is ordered enteral feedings via nasogastric (NG) tube to meet nutritional goals.
Which intervention would the RN include in the plan of care to best promote fluid balance?
A. Obtain orders for water boluses 6 times a day through the NG tube
B. Weight the patient every other day
C. Record strict I&O and flush the NG tube to keep it patent
D. Assess the skin around the PEG tube site - Answer A
,The RN is teaching grade school students the importance of healthy nutrition. The RN
determines that after the teaching session the children will be able to name 3 examples of food
that are fruit. This is an example of which of the following?
A. A learning objective
B. Motivation to learn
C. A teaching plan
D. Psychomotor learning - Answer A
The RN observes a patient who is fidgeting, wringing their hands and has body tenseness and
wrinkled eyebrows. What is the best response to the patient by the RN?
A. "Why are you so jumpy and nervous?"
B. "You look tense. Can you tell me if something is making you afraid or nervous?"
C. "You are making me nervous. Please stop that."
D. "You look upset. Would you like some medication to calm you down?" - Answer B
The patient presents on admission with sacral and bilateral hip pressure ulcers extending to the
bone. How would the RN most accurately document this finding?
A. Stage four sacral and bilateral hip ulcers
B. Stage three pressure ulcers unilaterally
C. Well-approximated and malodorous
D. Granulating stage three pressure ulcers - Answer A
Why must nurses communicate effectively with the health care team? (Select all that apply).
A. Improve the nurses' friendships with other health care team members
B. Reduce the risk of error to the patient
C. Improve patient outcomes
D. Prevent taking accountability for their actions
E. Provide optimum level of patient care - Answer B, C, E
The wound care nurse recommends treatment that will mechanically debride the wound. The
RN knows wound care would include which of the following?
A. A normal saline wet-to-dry dressing completed at the bedside
B. An enzymatic crème that destroys necrotic tissues
C. Preparing the patient for surgical debridement
D. A surgical graft using the skin of a fish - Answer A
, The nurse is teaching a group of college students about methods to decrease their risk of skin
cancer. Which intervention should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. Inform the students that only elderly people get skin cancer
B. Teach the students ways to avoid using sunscreen
C. Telling students that it is normal for moles to change shape
D. Teach the students how to conduct monthly, self, skin assessments - Answer D
A patient needs to learn how to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which of the following
most reflects patient readiness to learn?
A. Patient expresses the importance of learning the skill correctly
B. Patient describing difficulties a family member has in taking insulin
C. Patient has the dexterity needed to prepare and inject the mediation
D. Patient can see and understand the markings on the syringe - Answer A
A patient asks about a new diagnostic test that the RN is not familiar with. What is the best
response by the RN?
A. "It is your doctor's responsibility to explain that procedure to you. Would you like me to call
the doctor?"
B. "I don't know a lot about that procedure, but I will find out and bring you information about
it."
C. "I can't explain that now, but I'll get back to you later after all the morning medications are
administered."
D. "The technicians in the radiology department will explain the procedure to you while you are
down there getting the test." - Answer B
A new graduate RN is experiencing passive - aggressive behavior from a seasoned registered
nurse (RN) at work. The RN is telling untrue stories about the new graduate that make them
appear unable to perform their work. Which step would the new nurse take first to address this
problem?
A. Challenge the RN in a public forum to embarrass them and change their behavior
B. Talk with the unit secretary to find out if this has been a problem with other nurses
C. Say nothing and hope things get better
D. Talk with their preceptor or unit manager and ask for assistance in handling the issue -
Answer D
A home health nurse is assessing an older adult client who has decreased vision due to a history
of glaucoma. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a safety risk?
A. Use of a microwave for cooking
B. Loose rugs are present in the kitchen
Questions and All Correct Answers.
The RN is assessing an elderly patient's ability to return home after discharge from the hospital
following gallbladder surgery. Which of the following instrumental activity of daily living would
the RN need to consider for discharge?
A. Availability of family support system
B. Patient ability to purchase and cook food
C. Presence of dysphagia
D. Patient ability to dress themselves - Answer B
The patient has a history of dementia and the nurse assesses that the patient gets confused
very easily. What intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to use when communicating
with the patient?
A. Ask "yes/no" questions, one at time
B. Offer the patient multiple options to ensure their patient rights
C. Provide the patient with detailed descriptions of your plan of care for them for your shift
D. Do not communicate with the patient as this will increase their confusion - Answer A
The 18-year-old patient has a new colostomy bag and is going home. They are avoiding
discussion of their diagnosis and colostomy care. What is the nurses' best plan in teaching this
patient?
A. Convince the patient that learning about their health is necessary
B. Focus on knowledge the patient will need in a few weeks
C. Provide the most important information the patient needs to go home
D. Teach the patient's mother - Answer C
The RN is assessing the patient that is complaining of visual changes. The patient complaint of
loss of central vision would alert the RN to which of the following disease processes?
A. Glaucoma
B. Presbycusis
C. Cataracts
D. Macular degeneration - Answer D
The patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and tells the nurse "I'm so worried about my
diabetes. I have young kids and I want to see them grow up. Every diabetic I have known has
died." The nurse replies "When you say you are worried, what do you mean?" Which of the
following therapeutic communication techniques is the nurse displaying?
,A. Confrontation
B. Silence
C. Validation
D. Clarifying - Answer D
A stage three pressure ulcer measures 4 inches wide and 2 inches deep. It has 35 % granulation
tissue, 45% slough with eschar and circumferential undermining and the edges are not well
approximated. The nurse identifies that they doctor's note says that the wound must heal from
the inside, out. Wound care orders include wet to dry dressing changes twice daily. Which of the
following best describes this wound?
A. An unstageable wound
B. Wound base filled with beefy red granulation tissue
C. In the inflammatory (first) phase of healing
D. Healing by secondary intention - Answer D
Which techniques may improve communication when working with an older adult who is
hearing-impaired? (Select all that apply).
A. Speak loudly and use many hand gestures
B. Keep statements short and to the point
C. Restate terms in different ways if the patient does not understand
D. Exaggerate lip movements to help the patient read your lips
E. Give the patient time to respond to questions - Answer B, C, E
The patient has a history of dementia and is admitted to the hospital. What is the most
appropriate RN intervention to promote patient safety?
A. Apply restraints on the patient and give oral sedatives
B. Tell family members they must stay with the patient
C. Move the patient to a room where they can be monitored frequently
D. Keep the patient isolated in a dark and quiet room - Answer C
The patient is ordered enteral feedings via nasogastric (NG) tube to meet nutritional goals.
Which intervention would the RN include in the plan of care to best promote fluid balance?
A. Obtain orders for water boluses 6 times a day through the NG tube
B. Weight the patient every other day
C. Record strict I&O and flush the NG tube to keep it patent
D. Assess the skin around the PEG tube site - Answer A
,The RN is teaching grade school students the importance of healthy nutrition. The RN
determines that after the teaching session the children will be able to name 3 examples of food
that are fruit. This is an example of which of the following?
A. A learning objective
B. Motivation to learn
C. A teaching plan
D. Psychomotor learning - Answer A
The RN observes a patient who is fidgeting, wringing their hands and has body tenseness and
wrinkled eyebrows. What is the best response to the patient by the RN?
A. "Why are you so jumpy and nervous?"
B. "You look tense. Can you tell me if something is making you afraid or nervous?"
C. "You are making me nervous. Please stop that."
D. "You look upset. Would you like some medication to calm you down?" - Answer B
The patient presents on admission with sacral and bilateral hip pressure ulcers extending to the
bone. How would the RN most accurately document this finding?
A. Stage four sacral and bilateral hip ulcers
B. Stage three pressure ulcers unilaterally
C. Well-approximated and malodorous
D. Granulating stage three pressure ulcers - Answer A
Why must nurses communicate effectively with the health care team? (Select all that apply).
A. Improve the nurses' friendships with other health care team members
B. Reduce the risk of error to the patient
C. Improve patient outcomes
D. Prevent taking accountability for their actions
E. Provide optimum level of patient care - Answer B, C, E
The wound care nurse recommends treatment that will mechanically debride the wound. The
RN knows wound care would include which of the following?
A. A normal saline wet-to-dry dressing completed at the bedside
B. An enzymatic crème that destroys necrotic tissues
C. Preparing the patient for surgical debridement
D. A surgical graft using the skin of a fish - Answer A
, The nurse is teaching a group of college students about methods to decrease their risk of skin
cancer. Which intervention should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. Inform the students that only elderly people get skin cancer
B. Teach the students ways to avoid using sunscreen
C. Telling students that it is normal for moles to change shape
D. Teach the students how to conduct monthly, self, skin assessments - Answer D
A patient needs to learn how to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which of the following
most reflects patient readiness to learn?
A. Patient expresses the importance of learning the skill correctly
B. Patient describing difficulties a family member has in taking insulin
C. Patient has the dexterity needed to prepare and inject the mediation
D. Patient can see and understand the markings on the syringe - Answer A
A patient asks about a new diagnostic test that the RN is not familiar with. What is the best
response by the RN?
A. "It is your doctor's responsibility to explain that procedure to you. Would you like me to call
the doctor?"
B. "I don't know a lot about that procedure, but I will find out and bring you information about
it."
C. "I can't explain that now, but I'll get back to you later after all the morning medications are
administered."
D. "The technicians in the radiology department will explain the procedure to you while you are
down there getting the test." - Answer B
A new graduate RN is experiencing passive - aggressive behavior from a seasoned registered
nurse (RN) at work. The RN is telling untrue stories about the new graduate that make them
appear unable to perform their work. Which step would the new nurse take first to address this
problem?
A. Challenge the RN in a public forum to embarrass them and change their behavior
B. Talk with the unit secretary to find out if this has been a problem with other nurses
C. Say nothing and hope things get better
D. Talk with their preceptor or unit manager and ask for assistance in handling the issue -
Answer D
A home health nurse is assessing an older adult client who has decreased vision due to a history
of glaucoma. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a safety risk?
A. Use of a microwave for cooking
B. Loose rugs are present in the kitchen
