Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (15th
Edition, Hinkle & Cheever) Test Bank – Complete Exam Questions and
Answers for Chapters 1–68* Passing Score: 80% (40/50)
Questions 1-10: Professional Practice & Foundations (Ch. 1-8)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with terminal cancer. The client states, "I don't want any
more treatment. I just want to be comfortable." The nurse supports the client's decision,
upholding which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own healthcare
decisions based on personal values. By supporting the patient's choice to forgo further
treatment, the nurse respects their autonomy. Beneficence is "doing good"; Nonmaleficence
is "doing no harm."
2. A hospital audit reveals that four clients have current orders for restraints. It is
inappropriate to apply restraints to which of the following clients?
A. A post-laryngectomy client attempting to pull out a tracheostomy tube.
B. A client in hypovolemic shock trying to remove a central line dressing.
C. A client with urosepsis ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside commode.
D. A client with depression who has just attempted suicide.
Answer: C. A client with urosepsis ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside
commode
Rationale: Restraints should never be used for staff convenience or as punishment. The
client ringing the bell is appropriately requesting assistance; this does not justify restraint.
The other scenarios involve immediate risk of harm (self-extubation, line removal, injury).
3. Which of the following actions by a new graduate nurse best demonstrates the concept
of "Evidence-Based Practice" (EBP)?
A. Performing a procedure exactly as it was taught in nursing school 5 years ago.
B. Asking a more experienced nurse for their opinion on a dressing change.
C. Consulting a recently published clinical guideline to update a protocol for central line care.
D. Following the same routine for all clients to ensure efficiency.
Answer: C. Consulting a recently published clinical guideline to update a protocol for
central line care
, Rationale: EBP integrates the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences. Consulting a recent clinical guideline applies synthesized research to
practice. Relying solely on tradition or authority is not EBP.
4. A registered nurse (RN) delegates ambulation of a stable post-op client to UAP. The UAP
performs the task incorrectly and the client falls. Who is ultimately accountable for the
client's care?
A. The UAP who performed the task
B. The charge nurse on duty
C. The RN who delegated the task
D. The hospital administration
Answer: C. The RN who delegated the task
Rationale: While the UAP is responsible for performing the task correctly, the RN retains
accountability for the overall nursing care, appropriate delegation, supervision, and follow-
up. Accountability cannot be delegated.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about a low-sodium diet. The client asks,
"Why is this so important?" The nurse's best response is based on the knowledge that a
low-sodium diet helps to:
A. Strengthen the heart muscle directly.
B. Decrease the workload of the heart by reducing fluid volume.
C. Increase the excretion of potassium.
D. Prevent the formation of blood clots.
Answer: B. Decrease the workload of the heart by reducing fluid volume
Rationale: In heart failure, sodium causes fluid retention, increasing blood volume and
cardiac workload. A low-sodium diet helps control fluid volume, easing the strain on the
heart.
6. Which is an example of a primary prevention strategy for a healthy 25-year-old?
A. Screening for hypertension at a health fair.
B. Teaching the client how to perform a breast self-exam.
C. Administering the HPV vaccine.
D. Prescribing an ACE inhibitor to prevent diabetic nephropathy.
Answer: C. Administering the HPV vaccine
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccination).
Secondary prevention involves screening and early detection (e.g., mammograms, BP
checks). Tertiary prevention manages established disease to prevent complications (e.g., ACE
inhibitors for diabetes).
7. During a general survey, the nurse notes a client sitting in the tripod position (leaning
forward with arms braced on knees). This finding is most suggestive of:
Edition, Hinkle & Cheever) Test Bank – Complete Exam Questions and
Answers for Chapters 1–68* Passing Score: 80% (40/50)
Questions 1-10: Professional Practice & Foundations (Ch. 1-8)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with terminal cancer. The client states, "I don't want any
more treatment. I just want to be comfortable." The nurse supports the client's decision,
upholding which ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own healthcare
decisions based on personal values. By supporting the patient's choice to forgo further
treatment, the nurse respects their autonomy. Beneficence is "doing good"; Nonmaleficence
is "doing no harm."
2. A hospital audit reveals that four clients have current orders for restraints. It is
inappropriate to apply restraints to which of the following clients?
A. A post-laryngectomy client attempting to pull out a tracheostomy tube.
B. A client in hypovolemic shock trying to remove a central line dressing.
C. A client with urosepsis ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside commode.
D. A client with depression who has just attempted suicide.
Answer: C. A client with urosepsis ringing the call bell incessantly to use the bedside
commode
Rationale: Restraints should never be used for staff convenience or as punishment. The
client ringing the bell is appropriately requesting assistance; this does not justify restraint.
The other scenarios involve immediate risk of harm (self-extubation, line removal, injury).
3. Which of the following actions by a new graduate nurse best demonstrates the concept
of "Evidence-Based Practice" (EBP)?
A. Performing a procedure exactly as it was taught in nursing school 5 years ago.
B. Asking a more experienced nurse for their opinion on a dressing change.
C. Consulting a recently published clinical guideline to update a protocol for central line care.
D. Following the same routine for all clients to ensure efficiency.
Answer: C. Consulting a recently published clinical guideline to update a protocol for
central line care
, Rationale: EBP integrates the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences. Consulting a recent clinical guideline applies synthesized research to
practice. Relying solely on tradition or authority is not EBP.
4. A registered nurse (RN) delegates ambulation of a stable post-op client to UAP. The UAP
performs the task incorrectly and the client falls. Who is ultimately accountable for the
client's care?
A. The UAP who performed the task
B. The charge nurse on duty
C. The RN who delegated the task
D. The hospital administration
Answer: C. The RN who delegated the task
Rationale: While the UAP is responsible for performing the task correctly, the RN retains
accountability for the overall nursing care, appropriate delegation, supervision, and follow-
up. Accountability cannot be delegated.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about a low-sodium diet. The client asks,
"Why is this so important?" The nurse's best response is based on the knowledge that a
low-sodium diet helps to:
A. Strengthen the heart muscle directly.
B. Decrease the workload of the heart by reducing fluid volume.
C. Increase the excretion of potassium.
D. Prevent the formation of blood clots.
Answer: B. Decrease the workload of the heart by reducing fluid volume
Rationale: In heart failure, sodium causes fluid retention, increasing blood volume and
cardiac workload. A low-sodium diet helps control fluid volume, easing the strain on the
heart.
6. Which is an example of a primary prevention strategy for a healthy 25-year-old?
A. Screening for hypertension at a health fair.
B. Teaching the client how to perform a breast self-exam.
C. Administering the HPV vaccine.
D. Prescribing an ACE inhibitor to prevent diabetic nephropathy.
Answer: C. Administering the HPV vaccine
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccination).
Secondary prevention involves screening and early detection (e.g., mammograms, BP
checks). Tertiary prevention manages established disease to prevent complications (e.g., ACE
inhibitors for diabetes).
7. During a general survey, the nurse notes a client sitting in the tripod position (leaning
forward with arms braced on knees). This finding is most suggestive of:
