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 should patients usually be told about hair loss from chemotherapy?

  1. AIt is always permanent with every drug
  2. BIt means the treatment is not working
  3. CIt is usually temporary, and hair grows back afterwards
  4. DIt happens with every type of cancer treatment, including surgery
2.Easy

What is the main purpose of a surgical wound drain?

  1. ATo feed the patient after surgery
  2. BTo give IV fluids and antibiotics straight into the wound bed
  3. CTo remove fluid or blood that collects at the operation site
  4. DTo measure the patient's temperature
3.Easy

According to a widely used definition, who is the best judge of a patient's pain?

  1. AThe nurse
  2. BThe relatives
  3. CThe surgeon
  4. DThe patient
4.Medium

A patient on warfarin is booked for elective surgery with a high bleeding risk. What is usual practice?

  1. ADouble the dose for a week so the blood is ready for surgery
  2. BTake the usual dose on the morning of surgery
  3. CStop it about 5 days before and check the INR
  4. DSwap to aspirin on the morning of surgery
5.Medium

Which presentation fits acute diverticulitis?

  1. ACentral chest pain spreading to the left arm
  2. BRight upper abdominal pain after fatty meals
  3. CPainless jaundice with a palpable gallbladder
  4. DLeft lower abdominal pain, fever and a raised CRP
6.Medium

A day after a spinal anaesthetic, a patient has a headache that is worse when sitting up and better when lying flat. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AMigraine caused by hospital lighting
  2. BPost-dural puncture headache
  3. CA side effect of the antibiotic
  4. DRaised blood pressure from pain
7.Hard

Which fluid strategy is generally recommended in the first hours of acute pancreatitis?

  1. ANo IV fluid at all, only small sips of oral water
  2. BVery large volumes, whatever the patient's response
  3. CIV albumin alone instead of any crystalloid
  4. DGoal-directed balanced crystalloid, guided by the response
8.Hard

A patient taking IV antibiotics has three unexplained loose stools in 24 hours. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AMove the patient to a bay with other patients to watch them closely
  2. BIsolate the patient and send a stool sample for testing
  3. CWait two days to see if the diarrhoea settles
  4. DGive loperamide after each loose stool and continue as usual

Answer key

  1. 1. C · It is usually temporary, and hair grows back afterwards
  2. 2. C · To remove fluid or blood that collects at the operation site
  3. 3. D · The patient
  4. 4. C · Stop it about 5 days before and check the INR
  5. 5. D · Left lower abdominal pain, fever and a raised CRP
  6. 6. B · Post-dural puncture headache
  7. 7. D · Goal-directed balanced crystalloid, guided by the response
  8. 8. B · Isolate the patient and send a stool sample for testing

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