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 steatorrhoea?

  1. AVery hard, pellet-like stools
  2. BBright red blood mixed in with the stool on most days
  3. CBlack stools caused by taking iron tablets each day
  4. DPale, greasy, foul-smelling stools that may float
2.Easy

What is pulmonary aspiration?

  1. ARemoving fluid from the chest with a needle through the ribs
  2. BInhaling stomach contents or other material into the lungs
  3. CBreathing too fast after surgery
  4. DA collapsed lung after a chest drain
3.Easy

How does ileostomy output usually differ from sigmoid colostomy output?

  1. ABoth produce only gas and mucus
  2. BBoth produce formed stool once a day
  3. CIleostomy output is formed; colostomy output is liquid
  4. DIleostomy output is liquid; colostomy output is formed
4.Medium

Why are antimotility drugs such as loperamide avoided in C. difficile infection?

  1. AThey kill the normal bowel bacteria
  2. BThey may keep toxin in the bowel and risk toxic megacolon
  3. CThey make the stool sample test positive falsely
  4. DThey cause serious liver failure in most patients who take them
5.Medium

Which statement best describes tolerance to opioids?

  1. AThe patient has developed an allergy to the drug
  2. BA higher dose is needed over time for the same effect
  3. CThe drug no longer causes any constipation
  4. DThe patient has a compulsive craving for more of the drug
6.Medium

Which infection control measure is correct for a patient with C. difficile diarrhoea?

  1. ANo special measures once antibiotics have started
  2. BA single room with its own toilet, and soap-and-water handwashing
  3. CA face mask for the patient and visitors only
  4. DA shared bay, as long as alcohol gel is used after every contact
7.Hard

On the ward after surgery, a patient has a red, blistered area of skin under where the diathermy plate was. What should the nurse do?

  1. AIgnore it because skin changes after surgery are normal and expected to fade
  2. BApply a hot water bottle to improve the circulation
  3. CTreat it as a possible burn, report it and complete an incident form
  4. DWash it with alcohol and leave it uncovered
8.Hard

On day 5 after bowel resection, a patient has a fever, tachycardia and worsening abdominal pain, and the drain contains brown, faeculent fluid. What is most likely?

  1. AAn anastomotic leak
  2. BA urinary tract infection
  3. CA normal day 5 recovery
  4. DPostoperative constipation

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Pale, greasy, foul-smelling stools that may float
  2. 2. B · Inhaling stomach contents or other material into the lungs
  3. 3. D · Ileostomy output is liquid; colostomy output is formed
  4. 4. B · They may keep toxin in the bowel and risk toxic megacolon
  5. 5. B · A higher dose is needed over time for the same effect
  6. 6. B · A single room with its own toilet, and soap-and-water handwashing
  7. 7. C · Treat it as a possible burn, report it and complete an incident form
  8. 8. A · An anastomotic leak

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