Q.1 What is the primary focus of medical-surgical nursing?
Providing psychiatric therapy
Caring for patients before and after surgery
Performing dental procedures
Administering vaccinations only
Explanation - Medical-surgical nursing focuses on providing care for patients undergoing surgery or medical treatment, including preoperative and postoperative care.
Correct answer is: Caring for patients before and after surgery
Q.2 Which skill is essential for a medical-surgical nurse?
Electrocardiogram interpretation
Bone fracture surgery
Dental cleaning
Vision testing
Explanation - Medical-surgical nurses often monitor patients' cardiovascular status and must be able to interpret ECG readings.
Correct answer is: Electrocardiogram interpretation
Q.3 Which patient condition would a medical-surgical nurse most likely manage?
Acute appendicitis
Severe depression
Glaucoma
Asthma attack in ER
Explanation - Medical-surgical nurses primarily manage patients with acute or chronic medical conditions, such as appendicitis, before and after surgery.
Correct answer is: Acute appendicitis
Q.4 What is the role of a medical-surgical nurse in pain management?
Prescribing medications independently
Assessing, monitoring, and administering prescribed pain medications
Performing surgical interventions for pain relief
Providing psychotherapy for pain
Explanation - Medical-surgical nurses assess pain levels and administer medications as prescribed, monitoring their effects and documenting patient responses.
Correct answer is: Assessing, monitoring, and administering prescribed pain medications
Q.5 Which of the following best describes the patient population in medical-surgical units?
Only pediatric patients
Only surgical patients
Adults with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions
Only elderly patients
Explanation - Medical-surgical units typically care for adult patients with various medical and surgical conditions, from chronic illnesses to post-operative recovery.
Correct answer is: Adults with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions
Q.6 What type of assessment is crucial in medical-surgical nursing?
Physical, psychological, and functional assessments
Vision and hearing assessment only
Dental assessment only
Psychiatric assessment only
Explanation - Comprehensive assessments help medical-surgical nurses identify patient needs, plan care, and detect complications early.
Correct answer is: Physical, psychological, and functional assessments
Q.7 Which nursing intervention is commonly performed in a post-operative patient?
Wound care and monitoring for infection
Administering chemotherapy
Providing speech therapy
Conducting cognitive behavioral therapy
Explanation - Post-operative care includes monitoring surgical wounds for infection, ensuring proper healing, and preventing complications.
Correct answer is: Wound care and monitoring for infection
Q.8 A medical-surgical nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Monitor fluid balance and administer diuretics as prescribed
Perform liver biopsy
Administer insulin only
Conduct eye examination
Explanation - Heart failure management involves careful monitoring of fluid status, administering medications, and observing for signs of decompensation.
Correct answer is: Monitor fluid balance and administer diuretics as prescribed
Q.9 What is the purpose of patient education in medical-surgical nursing?
To inform patients about self-care, medication, and prevention of complications
To replace physician instructions
To diagnose diseases
To provide psychotherapy
Explanation - Patient education is crucial to help patients manage their conditions, adhere to treatment, and prevent complications.
Correct answer is: To inform patients about self-care, medication, and prevention of complications
Q.10 Which of the following is an essential documentation practice in medical-surgical nursing?
Recording vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately
Writing personal opinions about patients
Documenting only abnormal findings
Recording information orally without charting
Explanation - Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care, legal protection, and effective communication among healthcare providers.
Correct answer is: Recording vital signs, interventions, and patient responses accurately
Q.11 Which professional quality is most important for a medical-surgical nurse?
Critical thinking and clinical judgment
Ability to perform surgery independently
Expertise in orthodontics
Expertise in psychotherapy
Explanation - Medical-surgical nurses need critical thinking to make timely decisions, prioritize care, and anticipate complications.
Correct answer is: Critical thinking and clinical judgment
Q.12 In medical-surgical nursing, what does the acronym ADL stand for?
Advanced Disease Level
Activities of Daily Living
Applied Diagnostic Lab
Acute Disease Learning
Explanation - ADLs refer to basic self-care activities, such as eating, bathing, and dressing, which nurses assess and assist with as needed.
Correct answer is: Activities of Daily Living
Q.13 Which vital sign change is most concerning in a post-operative patient?
Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure
Slight increase in body temperature
Normal respiratory rate
Mild pain at incision site
Explanation - Tachycardia and hypotension may indicate bleeding or shock, requiring immediate intervention.
Correct answer is: Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure
Q.14 Which principle is essential when administering medications in medical-surgical nursing?
The 'Five Rights': right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
Giving medications in any order
Administering all medications orally
Recording only medications given in the morning
Explanation - The Five Rights ensure patient safety and reduce the risk of medication errors.
Correct answer is: The 'Five Rights': right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
Q.15 Which type of nursing diagnosis is most common in medical-surgical nursing?
Risk for infection
Chronic anxiety unrelated to health
Vision impairment
Occupational hazard
Explanation - Patients undergoing surgery or invasive procedures are at risk for infection, making this a common nursing diagnosis.
Correct answer is: Risk for infection
Q.16 Which intervention helps prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients?
Encouraging early ambulation and using compression devices
Restricting fluids
Administering antibiotics only
Applying cold packs to limbs
Explanation - Early movement and mechanical prophylaxis reduce the risk of blood clots after surgery.
Correct answer is: Encouraging early ambulation and using compression devices
Q.17 What is the significance of assessing pain in medical-surgical patients?
Pain assessment guides appropriate interventions and improves patient comfort
Pain is only psychological and can be ignored
Pain assessment is unnecessary if vitals are normal
Pain should always be treated with surgery
Explanation - Assessing pain allows nurses to provide timely interventions, including medication and non-pharmacologic methods.
Correct answer is: Pain assessment guides appropriate interventions and improves patient comfort
Q.18 Which of the following is a common post-operative complication monitored by medical-surgical nurses?
Wound infection
Color blindness
Hearing loss
Allergic rhinitis
Explanation - Post-operative infections are common complications; nurses monitor wounds and vital signs to detect infection early.
Correct answer is: Wound infection
Q.19 Which nursing action promotes respiratory function in post-operative patients?
Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises
Restricting fluid intake
Avoiding movement
Administering sedatives routinely
Explanation - Post-operative patients are at risk for pneumonia and atelectasis; deep breathing and coughing help maintain lung function.
Correct answer is: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises
Q.20 Which tool helps medical-surgical nurses prioritize patient care?
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Thermometer
Stethoscope
Reflex hammer
Explanation - Nurses use Maslow's hierarchy to assess and prioritize patient needs, ensuring critical issues are addressed first.
Correct answer is: Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Q.21 Which is an example of a nursing intervention to prevent pressure ulcers?
Regular repositioning and skin inspection
Administering antibiotics only
Restricting fluids
Using heating pads continuously
Explanation - Frequent repositioning and skin care prevent pressure ulcers in immobile patients.
Correct answer is: Regular repositioning and skin inspection
Q.22 In medical-surgical nursing, infection control primarily involves:
Hand hygiene, sterile techniques, and isolation precautions
Avoiding patient contact
Prescribing antibiotics
Using scented lotions
Explanation - Strict infection control practices prevent healthcare-associated infections and protect both patients and staff.
Correct answer is: Hand hygiene, sterile techniques, and isolation precautions
Q.23 Which factor influences recovery in post-operative patients?
Nutritional status, age, and comorbidities
Hair color
Eye color
Favorite food preference
Explanation - Patient recovery depends on physiological factors like nutrition, age, and existing health conditions.
Correct answer is: Nutritional status, age, and comorbidities
Q.24 Which is the main goal of medical-surgical nursing?
Promoting recovery, preventing complications, and enhancing quality of life
Performing cosmetic surgery
Providing psychotherapy
Teaching unrelated academic subjects
Explanation - Medical-surgical nurses aim to optimize patient outcomes through effective care, monitoring, and patient education.
Correct answer is: Promoting recovery, preventing complications, and enhancing quality of life
Q.25 Which assessment finding requires immediate attention in a post-operative patient?
Sudden drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate
Mild fatigue
Slight redness at IV site
Mild nausea
Explanation - These signs may indicate internal bleeding or shock, requiring urgent intervention.
Correct answer is: Sudden drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate