FULL TEST BANK FOR MEDICAL SURGICAL
NURSING 6TH EDITION HOLLY STROMBERG
COMPLETE CHAPTERS 1 TO 50 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST EXAM GUIDE 2026
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
• This study guide features original practice questions spanning Medical-Surgical
Nursing concepts across all major body systems and nursing care domains — use it
by attempting each question before checking the answer, then reading the EXPERT
RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Best approached chapter by chapter or by system; revisit any question you got
wrong and focus on the EXPERT RATIONALE to build clinical reasoning skills.
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING — PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Full Exam Guide | Chapters 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which
nursing action best supports the patient's adaptation to the diagnosis?
A. Providing detailed written information about the disease immediately
B. Encouraging the patient to join a support group right away
C. Assessing the patient's perception of the illness and current coping mechanisms
D. Informing family members before speaking to the patient
E. Scheduling a follow-up appointment and deferring education
Correct Answer: C. Assessing the patient's perception of the illness and
current coping mechanisms
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any teaching or intervention, the nurse must assess what
the patient understands and how they are coping. This patient-centered approach forms
the foundation of individualized care planning.
,2. Which principle is the foundation of evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Relying solely on physician recommendations
B. Using hospital policy as the primary guide for care
C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
D. Applying the most recent nursing textbook guidelines
E. Following the most experienced nurse's established routine
Correct Answer: C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
EXPERT RATIONALE: Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines the best available
research, the nurse's clinical expertise, and the patient's values and preferences to guide
clinical decision-making.
3. A patient asks a nurse about the difference between a sign and a symptom.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "A sign is what you feel; a symptom is what I observe."
B. "They mean the same thing in clinical practice."
C. "A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient; a sign is objective data
observed by the clinician."
D. "Signs are only detected by laboratory tests."
E. "Symptoms are always more serious than signs."
Correct Answer: C. A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient; a
sign is objective data observed by the clinician.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Symptoms are subjective — experienced and reported by the
patient (e.g., pain, nausea). Signs are objective findings measurable or observable by the
clinician (e.g., fever, edema).
,4. The nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health history. Which
question is most appropriate to ask first?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "What medications are you currently taking?"
C. "What brings you in today, and how can I help you?"
D. "Do you have a family history of heart disease?"
E. "Have you been hospitalized before?"
Correct Answer: C. "What brings you in today, and how can I help you?"
EXPERT RATIONALE: The chief complaint establishes the primary reason for the visit and
sets the direction of the health history. It is always the appropriate starting point before
exploring other areas.
5. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of Impaired Gas Exchange. Which
assessment finding supports this diagnosis?
A. Urine output of 60 mL/hour
B. SpO₂ of 88% on room air
C. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
D. Serum sodium of 140 mEq/L
E. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B. SpO₂ of 88% on room air
EXPERT RATIONALE: An SpO₂ of 88% is below the normal range of 95–100%, indicating
inadequate oxygenation — a hallmark of impaired gas exchange.
6. Which intervention is the nurse's highest priority when a patient develops
sudden onset of chest pain?
A. Document the pain in the medical record
, B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Notify the physician immediately and assess vital signs
D. Reassure the patient that it may be anxiety
E. Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: C. Notify the physician immediately and assess vital signs
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sudden chest pain may indicate a life-threatening event such as
myocardial infarction. The nurse's priority is rapid assessment and immediate
notification of the physician.
7. A postoperative patient has a temperature of 38.8°C on day 2 after surgery.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Wound infection
B. Urinary tract infection
C. Atelectasis
D. Deep vein thrombosis
E. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: C. Atelectasis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fever occurring within the first 48 hours postoperatively is most
commonly caused by atelectasis (lung collapse) due to shallow breathing. This is often
referred to as the "Wind" cause in the 5 W's of postoperative fever.
8. The nurse is educating a patient about incentive spirometry. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I will use this device only when I feel short of breath."
B. "I should breathe out forcefully into the device."
C. "I will take slow, deep breaths and hold for 3–5 seconds each time."
NURSING 6TH EDITION HOLLY STROMBERG
COMPLETE CHAPTERS 1 TO 50 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST EXAM GUIDE 2026
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
• This study guide features original practice questions spanning Medical-Surgical
Nursing concepts across all major body systems and nursing care domains — use it
by attempting each question before checking the answer, then reading the EXPERT
RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Best approached chapter by chapter or by system; revisit any question you got
wrong and focus on the EXPERT RATIONALE to build clinical reasoning skills.
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING — PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Full Exam Guide | Chapters 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which
nursing action best supports the patient's adaptation to the diagnosis?
A. Providing detailed written information about the disease immediately
B. Encouraging the patient to join a support group right away
C. Assessing the patient's perception of the illness and current coping mechanisms
D. Informing family members before speaking to the patient
E. Scheduling a follow-up appointment and deferring education
Correct Answer: C. Assessing the patient's perception of the illness and
current coping mechanisms
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any teaching or intervention, the nurse must assess what
the patient understands and how they are coping. This patient-centered approach forms
the foundation of individualized care planning.
,2. Which principle is the foundation of evidence-based nursing practice?
A. Relying solely on physician recommendations
B. Using hospital policy as the primary guide for care
C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
D. Applying the most recent nursing textbook guidelines
E. Following the most experienced nurse's established routine
Correct Answer: C. Integrating best research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
EXPERT RATIONALE: Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines the best available
research, the nurse's clinical expertise, and the patient's values and preferences to guide
clinical decision-making.
3. A patient asks a nurse about the difference between a sign and a symptom.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "A sign is what you feel; a symptom is what I observe."
B. "They mean the same thing in clinical practice."
C. "A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient; a sign is objective data
observed by the clinician."
D. "Signs are only detected by laboratory tests."
E. "Symptoms are always more serious than signs."
Correct Answer: C. A symptom is subjective data reported by the patient; a
sign is objective data observed by the clinician.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Symptoms are subjective — experienced and reported by the
patient (e.g., pain, nausea). Signs are objective findings measurable or observable by the
clinician (e.g., fever, edema).
,4. The nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health history. Which
question is most appropriate to ask first?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "What medications are you currently taking?"
C. "What brings you in today, and how can I help you?"
D. "Do you have a family history of heart disease?"
E. "Have you been hospitalized before?"
Correct Answer: C. "What brings you in today, and how can I help you?"
EXPERT RATIONALE: The chief complaint establishes the primary reason for the visit and
sets the direction of the health history. It is always the appropriate starting point before
exploring other areas.
5. A patient has a nursing diagnosis of Impaired Gas Exchange. Which
assessment finding supports this diagnosis?
A. Urine output of 60 mL/hour
B. SpO₂ of 88% on room air
C. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
D. Serum sodium of 140 mEq/L
E. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B. SpO₂ of 88% on room air
EXPERT RATIONALE: An SpO₂ of 88% is below the normal range of 95–100%, indicating
inadequate oxygenation — a hallmark of impaired gas exchange.
6. Which intervention is the nurse's highest priority when a patient develops
sudden onset of chest pain?
A. Document the pain in the medical record
, B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Notify the physician immediately and assess vital signs
D. Reassure the patient that it may be anxiety
E. Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: C. Notify the physician immediately and assess vital signs
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sudden chest pain may indicate a life-threatening event such as
myocardial infarction. The nurse's priority is rapid assessment and immediate
notification of the physician.
7. A postoperative patient has a temperature of 38.8°C on day 2 after surgery.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Wound infection
B. Urinary tract infection
C. Atelectasis
D. Deep vein thrombosis
E. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: C. Atelectasis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Fever occurring within the first 48 hours postoperatively is most
commonly caused by atelectasis (lung collapse) due to shallow breathing. This is often
referred to as the "Wind" cause in the 5 W's of postoperative fever.
8. The nurse is educating a patient about incentive spirometry. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I will use this device only when I feel short of breath."
B. "I should breathe out forcefully into the device."
C. "I will take slow, deep breaths and hold for 3–5 seconds each time."
