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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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

What is metastasis?

  1. AHealing of tissue after a biopsy
  2. BSpread of cancer cells to a distant part of the body
  3. CShrinking of a tumour after treatment
  4. DThe first appearance of a tumour in a single organ of the body
2.Easy

Why does chemotherapy often affect the bone marrow, gut lining and hair?

  1. AThese tissues have no blood supply
  2. BThese tissues store the chemotherapy drugs
  3. CThese tissues are the main sites of cancer
  4. DThese tissues contain rapidly dividing cells
3.Easy

Which signs suggest peritonitis?

  1. AA small, painless lump near the umbilicus
  2. BGuarding, rebound tenderness and a rigid abdomen
  3. CA soft abdomen with no pain on pressing
  4. DLoud bowel sounds with a hungry feeling
4.Medium

What is a paralytic ileus?

  1. ALoss of bowel movement without a physical blockage
  2. BAn infection of the bowel wall with fever
  3. CA blockage of the bowel lumen by a tumour
  4. DA twist in the large bowel cutting off its blood supply
5.Medium

A patient takes co-codamol at home (a combination tablet sold under different names in different countries). Why should the nurse check this before giving regular paracetamol (acetaminophen)?

  1. AIt already contains paracetamol, so overdose could occur
  2. BParacetamol and codeine cause a severe allergic reaction when combined
  3. CCo-codamol must be stopped a week before any paracetamol
  4. DCo-codamol stops paracetamol from working
6.Medium

Which electrolyte problem can occur in severe acute pancreatitis?

  1. AHypercalcaemia
  2. BHypernatraemia
  3. CHypocalcaemia
  4. DHyperkalaemia
7.Hard

The skin around a patient's ileostomy is red, raw and weeping, and the pouch leaks often. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AOutput on the skin, often from a poorly fitting appliance
  2. BIschaemia of the stoma, which needs urgent surgery
  3. CA normal reaction that needs no change in care
  4. DAn allergy to the stool itself, which needs steroids
8.Hard

A competent adult who is a Jehovah's Witness refuses blood transfusion before major surgery. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARespect the decision, document it and inform the team
  2. BAsk the family to override the decision
  3. CPlan to transfuse secretly during the operation if it becomes needed
  4. DCancel the surgery without discussing it

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Spread of cancer cells to a distant part of the body
  2. 2. D · These tissues contain rapidly dividing cells
  3. 3. B · Guarding, rebound tenderness and a rigid abdomen
  4. 4. A · Loss of bowel movement without a physical blockage
  5. 5. A · It already contains paracetamol, so overdose could occur
  6. 6. C · Hypocalcaemia
  7. 7. A · Output on the skin, often from a poorly fitting appliance
  8. 8. A · Respect the decision, document it and inform the team

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