BSN 266 MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
CORE CONCEPTS STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE QUESTIONS 2026
◉ A client who is receiving chemotherapy asks the nurse, "Why is so
much of my hair falling out each day?" Which response by the nurse
best explains the reason for alopecia?
A. "Chemotherapy affects the cells of the body that grow rapidly,
both normal and malignant."
B. "Alopecia is a common side effect you will experience during long-
term steroid therapy."
C. "Your hair will grow back completely after your course of
chemotherapy is completed."
D. "The chemotherapy causes permanent alterations in your hair
follicles that lead to hair loss."
Answer: A. "Chemotherapy affects the cells of the body that grow
rapidly, both normal and malignant."
Rationale
The common adverse effects of chemotherapy (nausea, vomiting,
alopecia, bone marrow depression) are due to chemotherapy's effect
on the rapidly reproducing cells, both normal and malignant.
,◉ After checking the urinary drainage system for kinks in the tubing,
the nurse determines that a client who has returned from the post-
anesthesia care has a dark, concentrated urinary output of 54 ml for
the last 2 hours. What priority nursing action should be
implemented?
A. Report the findings to the surgeon.
B. Irrigate the indwelling urinary catheter.
C. Apply manual pressure to the bladder.
D. Increase the IV flow rate for 15 minutes.
Answer: A. Report the findings to the surgeon.
Rationale
An adult who weighs 132 pounds (60 kg) should produce about 60
ml of urine hourly (1 ml/kg/hour). Dark, concentrated, and low
volume of urine output should be reported to the surgeon.
◉ A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he
understands that smoking cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty
that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and wants to
know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. What
information is best for the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
A. Marijuana cigarettes do not affect sperm count.
B. Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction.
,C. Low testosterone levels affect sperm production.
D. Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility.
E. Obesity has no effect on sperm production.
Answer: B, C and D
Rationale
Use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana may affect sperm counts.
Sperm count is also negatively affected by low testerone levels and
obesity.
◉ A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been
experiencing severe reflux during sleep. Which recommendation by
the nurse is most effective to assist the client?
A. Losing weight.
B. Decreasing caffeine intake.
C. Avoiding large meals.
D. Raising the head of the bed on blocks.
Answer: D. Raising the head of the bed on blocks.
Rationale
Raising the head of the bed on blocks (reverse Trendelenburg
position) to reduce reflux and subsequent aspiration is the most
non-pharmacological effective recommendation for a client
experiencing severe gastroesophageal reflux during sleep.
, ◉ A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a
day and is 30 pounds overweight is diagnosed with having a gastric
ulcer. What content is most important for the nurse to include in the
discharge teaching for this client?
A. Information about smoking cessation.
B. Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
C. Instructions on a weight-loss program.
D. The importance of increasing milk in the diet.
Answer: A. Information about smoking cessation.
Rationale
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or
decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day is an important
aspect of ulcer management.
◉ What types of medications should the nurse expect to administer
to a client during an acute respiratory distress episode?
A. Vasodilators and hormones.
B. Analgesics and sedatives.
C. Anticoagulants and expectorants.
D. Bronchodilators and steroids.
Answer: D. Bronchodilators and steroids.
Rationale
Besides supplemental oxygen, this client with ARDS needs
medications to widen air passages, increase air space, and reduce
CORE CONCEPTS STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE QUESTIONS 2026
◉ A client who is receiving chemotherapy asks the nurse, "Why is so
much of my hair falling out each day?" Which response by the nurse
best explains the reason for alopecia?
A. "Chemotherapy affects the cells of the body that grow rapidly,
both normal and malignant."
B. "Alopecia is a common side effect you will experience during long-
term steroid therapy."
C. "Your hair will grow back completely after your course of
chemotherapy is completed."
D. "The chemotherapy causes permanent alterations in your hair
follicles that lead to hair loss."
Answer: A. "Chemotherapy affects the cells of the body that grow
rapidly, both normal and malignant."
Rationale
The common adverse effects of chemotherapy (nausea, vomiting,
alopecia, bone marrow depression) are due to chemotherapy's effect
on the rapidly reproducing cells, both normal and malignant.
,◉ After checking the urinary drainage system for kinks in the tubing,
the nurse determines that a client who has returned from the post-
anesthesia care has a dark, concentrated urinary output of 54 ml for
the last 2 hours. What priority nursing action should be
implemented?
A. Report the findings to the surgeon.
B. Irrigate the indwelling urinary catheter.
C. Apply manual pressure to the bladder.
D. Increase the IV flow rate for 15 minutes.
Answer: A. Report the findings to the surgeon.
Rationale
An adult who weighs 132 pounds (60 kg) should produce about 60
ml of urine hourly (1 ml/kg/hour). Dark, concentrated, and low
volume of urine output should be reported to the surgeon.
◉ A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he
understands that smoking cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty
that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and wants to
know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. What
information is best for the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
A. Marijuana cigarettes do not affect sperm count.
B. Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction.
,C. Low testosterone levels affect sperm production.
D. Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility.
E. Obesity has no effect on sperm production.
Answer: B, C and D
Rationale
Use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana may affect sperm counts.
Sperm count is also negatively affected by low testerone levels and
obesity.
◉ A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been
experiencing severe reflux during sleep. Which recommendation by
the nurse is most effective to assist the client?
A. Losing weight.
B. Decreasing caffeine intake.
C. Avoiding large meals.
D. Raising the head of the bed on blocks.
Answer: D. Raising the head of the bed on blocks.
Rationale
Raising the head of the bed on blocks (reverse Trendelenburg
position) to reduce reflux and subsequent aspiration is the most
non-pharmacological effective recommendation for a client
experiencing severe gastroesophageal reflux during sleep.
, ◉ A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a
day and is 30 pounds overweight is diagnosed with having a gastric
ulcer. What content is most important for the nurse to include in the
discharge teaching for this client?
A. Information about smoking cessation.
B. Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
C. Instructions on a weight-loss program.
D. The importance of increasing milk in the diet.
Answer: A. Information about smoking cessation.
Rationale
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or
decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day is an important
aspect of ulcer management.
◉ What types of medications should the nurse expect to administer
to a client during an acute respiratory distress episode?
A. Vasodilators and hormones.
B. Analgesics and sedatives.
C. Anticoagulants and expectorants.
D. Bronchodilators and steroids.
Answer: D. Bronchodilators and steroids.
Rationale
Besides supplemental oxygen, this client with ARDS needs
medications to widen air passages, increase air space, and reduce
