PN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL STUDY
GUIDE 2026 CORE MED SURG CONCEPTS
STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW
NOTES
◉ A nurse reinforcing discharge teaching with the client who had an
abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching
a. "Douche with warm water to remove vaginal discharge."
b. "Take a shower rather than a bath."
c. "Avoid climbing stairs for 8 week."
d. "Expect bright red vaginal bleeding for 1 week following surgery.".
Answer: B. "Take a shower rather than a bath."
Rationale:
Following an abdominal hysterectomy, the client should avoid taking
baths and instead take showers to reduce the risk of infection.
Douching is generally not recommended as it can disrupt the natural
flora of the female reproductive part. Climbing stairs may be
restricted initially but not for 8 weeks. Expecting bright red
,reproductive part bleeding for 1 week following surgery is not
accurate information as bleeding should gradually decrease.
◉ TEST
Patient has a new placement of colostomy, which of the following
indicate that the colostomy is functioning properly?.
Answer: Red beefy after surgery, moist, shiny
◉ TEST
Patient is post-op and has DVT, nurse should?.
Answer: Maintain patient on bed rest.
Rationale::
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms
in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. It
can cause leg pain, swelling, or no symptoms at all. It can also lead to
serious complications like pulmonary embolism (PE) if the clot
breaks loose and travels to the lungs.
Nursing interventions for DVT include:
Assessing the patient's history and symptoms, such as risk factors,
signs of inflammation, and pain level.
,Administering anticoagulant medications, such as heparin, warfarin,
or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), to prevent clot growth and
recurrence.
Managing pain with analgesics, elevation of the affected limb, and
warm compresses.
Immobilizing the patient and initiating bed rest to reduce the risk of
clot mobilization (clot mobilization could travel to lungs and lead to
pulmonary embolism).
Promoting circulation with compression therapy, such as stockings
or devices, and encouraging activity as tolerated.
Educating the patient about DVT, self-care measures, medication
adherence, and signs of complications.
Providing psychosocial support and addressing any fears or
concerns.
Collaborating with the healthcare team and monitoring the patient's
condition closely.
◉ TEST
, A nurse is caring for a client who has deep-vein thrombosis. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take?
a) Measure the calf of the affected extremity each shift.
b) Place the client's bed in reverse Trendelenburg position.
c) Apply cold compresses to the affected extremity.
d) Massage the affected extremity every 4 hr..
Answer: A. Measure the calf of the affected extremity each shift
Rationale:
The nursing care plan for the client with deep vein thrombosis
include: providing information regarding disease condition,
treatment, and prevention; assessing and monitoring anticoagulant
therapy; providing comfort measures; positioning the body and
encouraging exercise; maintaining adequate tissue perfusion; and
preventing complications.
Therefore, the nurse should measure the calf of the affected
extremity each shift to assess for any changes in size.
The nurse should also place the client's bed in a position that
promotes venous return, such as elevating the affected extremity
above the level of the heart.
GUIDE 2026 CORE MED SURG CONCEPTS
STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW
NOTES
◉ A nurse reinforcing discharge teaching with the client who had an
abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching
a. "Douche with warm water to remove vaginal discharge."
b. "Take a shower rather than a bath."
c. "Avoid climbing stairs for 8 week."
d. "Expect bright red vaginal bleeding for 1 week following surgery.".
Answer: B. "Take a shower rather than a bath."
Rationale:
Following an abdominal hysterectomy, the client should avoid taking
baths and instead take showers to reduce the risk of infection.
Douching is generally not recommended as it can disrupt the natural
flora of the female reproductive part. Climbing stairs may be
restricted initially but not for 8 weeks. Expecting bright red
,reproductive part bleeding for 1 week following surgery is not
accurate information as bleeding should gradually decrease.
◉ TEST
Patient has a new placement of colostomy, which of the following
indicate that the colostomy is functioning properly?.
Answer: Red beefy after surgery, moist, shiny
◉ TEST
Patient is post-op and has DVT, nurse should?.
Answer: Maintain patient on bed rest.
Rationale::
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms
in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. It
can cause leg pain, swelling, or no symptoms at all. It can also lead to
serious complications like pulmonary embolism (PE) if the clot
breaks loose and travels to the lungs.
Nursing interventions for DVT include:
Assessing the patient's history and symptoms, such as risk factors,
signs of inflammation, and pain level.
,Administering anticoagulant medications, such as heparin, warfarin,
or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), to prevent clot growth and
recurrence.
Managing pain with analgesics, elevation of the affected limb, and
warm compresses.
Immobilizing the patient and initiating bed rest to reduce the risk of
clot mobilization (clot mobilization could travel to lungs and lead to
pulmonary embolism).
Promoting circulation with compression therapy, such as stockings
or devices, and encouraging activity as tolerated.
Educating the patient about DVT, self-care measures, medication
adherence, and signs of complications.
Providing psychosocial support and addressing any fears or
concerns.
Collaborating with the healthcare team and monitoring the patient's
condition closely.
◉ TEST
, A nurse is caring for a client who has deep-vein thrombosis. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take?
a) Measure the calf of the affected extremity each shift.
b) Place the client's bed in reverse Trendelenburg position.
c) Apply cold compresses to the affected extremity.
d) Massage the affected extremity every 4 hr..
Answer: A. Measure the calf of the affected extremity each shift
Rationale:
The nursing care plan for the client with deep vein thrombosis
include: providing information regarding disease condition,
treatment, and prevention; assessing and monitoring anticoagulant
therapy; providing comfort measures; positioning the body and
encouraging exercise; maintaining adequate tissue perfusion; and
preventing complications.
Therefore, the nurse should measure the calf of the affected
extremity each shift to assess for any changes in size.
The nurse should also place the client's bed in a position that
promotes venous return, such as elevating the affected extremity
above the level of the heart.
