Med-surg: GI, perioperative & oncology worksheet with answers

Free printable Med-surg: GI, perioperative & oncology worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy

What is dyspepsia?

  1. APain in the rectum on opening the bowels
  2. BDifficulty swallowing solid food and tablets
  3. CUpper abdominal discomfort, often called indigestion
  4. DVomiting of blood after a large meal
2.Easy

Why is nail varnish or a gel nail often removed from at least one finger before surgery?

  1. ASo pulse oximetry readings and nail colour can be assessed accurately
  2. BBecause the varnish can make the anaesthetic gas less effective
  3. CBecause varnish raises the patient's blood pressure
  4. DBecause it is a checklist rule with no clinical reason
3.Easy

Where should a diathermy return electrode (plate) be placed?

  1. AOver a bony area such as the hip bone
  2. BOn skin covered with spirit-based prep that is still wet
  3. COn clean, dry skin over a well-perfused muscle
  4. DOver a metal joint replacement
4.Medium

Why is pethidine (meperidine) generally avoided for regular pain relief?

  1. AIt can only be given by mouth
  2. BA metabolite can build up and cause seizures
  3. CIt always causes severe diarrhoea
  4. DIt has no pain-relieving effect at all in adults
5.Medium

Which is a recognised risk of long-term proton pump inhibitor use?

  1. AHyperkalaemia
  2. BHypomagnesaemia
  3. CHypernatraemia
  4. DHypercalcaemia
6.Medium

Why is a urinary catheter usually inserted in a patient with a major burn?

  1. AHourly urine output guides fluid resuscitation
  2. BThe catheter prevents wound infection
  3. CIt is needed to give medicines into the bladder
  4. DBurns always cause the bladder to rupture
7.Hard

A patient who takes NSAIDs suddenly develops severe epigastric pain, a rigid abdomen and shoulder-tip pain. Which finding would most support the likely diagnosis?

  1. AFree air under the diaphragm on an erect chest X-ray
  2. BFluid levels in the bladder on an ultrasound scan
  3. CTall, peaked T waves on a 12-lead ECG
  4. DA raised serum lipase three times the upper limit
8.Hard

A patient who had a coronary stent placed two months ago, on aspirin and clopidogrel, presents with melaena and is now stable. What is the most appropriate approach to the antiplatelet drugs?

  1. AReport the bleed; the team decides with cardiology input, balancing bleeding against stent thrombosis
  2. BDouble both doses, because bleeding means the stent is at greater risk of clotting
  3. CStop both drugs permanently, because any bleeding means they are no longer safe
  4. DContinue both drugs unchanged and do not mention the bleeding to the team

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Upper abdominal discomfort, often called indigestion
  2. 2. A · So pulse oximetry readings and nail colour can be assessed accurately
  3. 3. C · On clean, dry skin over a well-perfused muscle
  4. 4. B · A metabolite can build up and cause seizures
  5. 5. B · Hypomagnesaemia
  6. 6. A · Hourly urine output guides fluid resuscitation
  7. 7. A · Free air under the diaphragm on an erect chest X-ray
  8. 8. A · Report the bleed; the team decides with cardiology input, balancing bleeding against stent thrombosis

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