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 sign suggests acute cholecystitis?

  1. ABruising around the umbilicus and over both flanks of the abdomen
  2. BPain that stops a deep breath when the right upper abdomen is pressed
  3. CA flapping tremor of the hands when the arms are held out
  4. DPain in the left lower abdomen when the right side is pressed
2.Easy

What is referred pain?

  1. APain that only lasts for a few seconds
  2. BPain that a patient makes up
  3. CPain felt at a site away from the organ causing it
  4. DPain that is passed on from one doctor to another
3.Easy

When should an ostomy pouch usually be emptied?

  1. AOnly when it starts to leak
  2. BOnly when it is completely full to the top
  3. CWhen it is one third to half full
  4. DOnce a day, at the same time
4.Medium

In the UK National Early Warning Score (NEWS2), what does an aggregate score of 5 or more usually trigger?

  1. ARoutine observations once every 12 hours, with no other change in care
  2. BDischarge planning for the next day
  3. CAn urgent review by a clinician skilled in acute illness
  4. DNo change unless the patient complains
5.Medium

A patient has taken oral prednisolone daily for many months. Why is this important before surgery?

  1. AThey may need extra steroid cover to prevent an adrenal crisis
  2. BSteroids prevent all wound infections after surgery
  3. CSteroids make the anaesthetic drugs last much longer
  4. DSteroids must always be stopped a full week before any type of surgery
6.Medium

Why are many patients screened for MRSA before planned surgery?

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

Why is folinic acid (leucovorin) given after high-dose methotrexate?

  1. ATo treat the patient's anaemia only
  2. BTo increase the anticancer effect on the tumour
  3. CTo rescue normal cells from methotrexate toxicity
  4. DTo prevent hair loss during treatment
8.Hard

Which patient has the highest risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting?

  1. AA man with no history of nausea having local anaesthetic only
  2. BA non-smoking woman with motion sickness who will need opioids
  3. CA male smoker having a short procedure without opioids
  4. DA smoker who has never had nausea after surgery

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Pain that stops a deep breath when the right upper abdomen is pressed
  2. 2. C · Pain felt at a site away from the organ causing it
  3. 3. C · When it is one third to half full
  4. 4. C · An urgent review by a clinician skilled in acute illness
  5. 5. A · They may need extra steroid cover to prevent an adrenal crisis
  6. 6. D · So that carriers can be decolonised to reduce infection
  7. 7. C · To rescue normal cells from methotrexate toxicity
  8. 8. B · A non-smoking woman with motion sickness who will need opioids

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