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

Which bedside test is commonly used to check for postoperative urinary retention?

1. AA bladder ultrasound scan
2. BA blood glucose test
3. CA chest X-ray
4. DA 12-lead ECG

What is the purpose of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist?

1. ATo ensure key safety checks happen before, during and after surgery
2. BTo record what the patient would like to eat and drink after surgery
3. CTo list the training and experience of the surgeon
4. DTo replace informed consent for planned operations

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

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

Which wound drain observation should be reported immediately?

1. AA little dried blood around the drain site
2. BSmall amounts of pink serous fluid
3. CDrainage slowly falling each day
4. DA sudden large volume of fresh red blood

What does "neoadjuvant" treatment mean?

1. ATreatment that is given instead of any surgery
2. BTreatment before the main treatment, often to shrink the tumour
3. CTreatment that is given only after the cancer has already spread
4. DTreatment given only for pain relief

A routine wound swab grows bacteria, but the wound shows no signs of infection. What does this usually mean?

1. AThe wound must be closed with sutures again
2. BThe wound is colonised; antibiotics are not usually needed
3. CThe swab result means the wound is infected
4. DThe patient needs IV antibiotics straight away, whatever the wound looks like

During an IV vincristine infusion through a peripheral cannula, the patient reports burning, and the site is swollen. What should the nurse do first?

1. AStop the infusion, leave the cannula to aspirate, follow the policy
2. BFlush the cannula with saline to push the remaining drug into the vein
3. CRemove the cannula at once and massage the area to spread the drug
4. DContinue the infusion more slowly and apply an ice pack to the site

While a central line is disconnected, a patient suddenly becomes breathless with chest pain and hypotension. Air embolism is suspected. What should the nurse do first?

1. AClamp the line, lie the patient left side down, head low; give oxygen
2. BGive the patient a drink and observe for an hour
3. CSit the patient fully upright and flush the line
4. DRemove the central line straight away and leave the site open to the air