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

Which signs suggest a surgical site infection?

  1. AMild itching as the wound heals
  2. BA dry wound edge with a thin scab
  3. CIncreasing pain, redness, swelling, heat and pus
  4. DMild bruising around the wound that is fading a little each day
2.Easy

Which is one of the commonest causes of liver cirrhosis?

  1. ALong-term heavy alcohol use
  2. BIron deficiency anaemia
  3. CA diet high in fruit and fibre
  4. DA single bout of food poisoning
3.Easy

What is abdominal paracentesis?

  1. AInjection of dye into a vein in the arm
  2. BDraining fluid from the abdominal cavity with a needle or drain
  3. CRemoval of the gallbladder through several small abdominal incisions
  4. DA camera test of the lining of the large bowel
4.Medium

Which signs suggest severe acute pancreatitis with bleeding into the tissues?

  1. AA purple rash on the palms and soles
  2. BYellow discolouration of the fingernails
  3. CSwelling of the lips, tongue and face
  4. DBruising around the umbilicus or flanks
5.Medium

Which is a common side effect of opioids, especially when given by epidural or spinal route?

  1. AHair growth
  2. BIncreased hunger
  3. CRinging in the ears
  4. DItching
6.Medium

Which finding means a patient is usually ready to leave recovery for the ward?

  1. ASystolic BP falling steadily over the last hour, with a rising pulse rate
  2. BPain score 9/10 and vomiting repeatedly
  3. CAwake, with a clear airway, stable observations and controlled pain
  4. DStill drowsy and needing a jaw thrust to breathe
7.Hard

Ten days after chemotherapy, a patient has a temperature of 37.6 °C but feels shivery and unwell, with a pulse of 112/min and BP 95/60 mmHg. What is the correct action?

  1. AGive paracetamol and recheck the temperature again in four hours
  2. BWait for the neutrophil count before deciding on any treatment
  3. CReassure the patient, because the temperature is still below 38 °C
  4. DTreat as possible neutropenic sepsis: IV antibiotics within an hour
8.Hard

On the day after a Hartmann's procedure, the end colostomy is dark purple to black. What should the nurse do?

  1. ACut a smaller hole in the pouch
  2. BRub the stoma to improve its colour
  3. CRecord it as normal postoperative bruising and recheck it next week
  4. DReport it urgently, as the stoma may be necrotic

Answer key

  1. 1. C · Increasing pain, redness, swelling, heat and pus
  2. 2. A · Long-term heavy alcohol use
  3. 3. B · Draining fluid from the abdominal cavity with a needle or drain
  4. 4. D · Bruising around the umbilicus or flanks
  5. 5. D · Itching
  6. 6. C · Awake, with a clear airway, stable observations and controlled pain
  7. 7. D · Treat as possible neutropenic sepsis: IV antibiotics within an hour
  8. 8. D · Report it urgently, as the stoma may be necrotic

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