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

Why are swabs, sharps and instruments counted during surgery?

  1. ATo decide how long the operation took
  2. BTo calculate the cost of the operation
  3. CTo prevent items being left inside the patient
  4. DTo check the stock in the store room
2.Easy

Why are rectal temperatures and suppositories avoided in a patient with neutropenia?

  1. AThey make the patient's white cell count fall even further
  2. BThey interfere with the absorption of chemotherapy
  3. CThey always give falsely low temperature readings
  4. DThey can damage the mucosa and let bacteria into the blood
3.Easy

Who should press the button of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump?

  1. AAny visitor the patient asks
  2. BOnly the patient
  3. CA relative, while the patient sleeps
  4. DThe nurse, at the start of each shift
4.Medium

Which is a recognised cause of anaphylaxis during surgery?

  1. ASterile normal saline
  2. BA warmed blanket
  3. CChlorhexidine skin preparation
  4. DThe patient's own blood from cell salvage
5.Medium

What is the main clinical difference between small and large bowel obstruction?

  1. ASmall bowel: no vomiting at all; large bowel: early profuse vomiting with no distension
  2. BThere is no clinical difference; only a CT scan can tell them apart
  3. CSmall bowel: early vomiting, less distension; large bowel: later vomiting, marked distension
  4. DSmall bowel: marked distension only; large bowel: no pain, no vomiting and no distension at all
6.Medium

Why are many patients screened for MRSA before planned surgery?

  1. ASo that surgery can be cancelled for all positive patients
  2. BSo that carriers can be decolonised to reduce infection
  3. CTo check whether the patient has had a flu vaccine
  4. DTo decide which anaesthetic drug to use
7.Hard

Shortly after a spinal anaesthetic, a patient says their arms feel weak and it is hard to breathe, and the BP is falling. What is most likely?

  1. AA normal spinal effect
  2. BA high spinal block
  3. CA post-dural puncture headache
  4. DAn anxiety attack
8.Hard

Six hours after surgery, a patient has not passed urine, has lower abdominal discomfort and a bladder scan shows 750 mL. What should the nurse do?

  1. AWait another twelve hours before acting
  2. BCatheterise as per protocol or prescription
  3. CGive a diuretic to increase urine flow
  4. DRestrict fluids until the urge returns

Answer key

  1. 1. C · To prevent items being left inside the patient
  2. 2. D · They can damage the mucosa and let bacteria into the blood
  3. 3. B · Only the patient
  4. 4. C · Chlorhexidine skin preparation
  5. 5. C · Small bowel: early vomiting, less distension; large bowel: later vomiting, marked distension
  6. 6. B · So that carriers can be decolonised to reduce infection
  7. 7. B · A high spinal block
  8. 8. B · Catheterise as per protocol or prescription

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