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 tool helps assess pain in a person with advanced dementia who cannot report it?

  1. AAn observational scale such as PAINAD or Abbey
  2. BA numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, read out slowly
  3. CThe MUST nutrition score
  4. DThe Glasgow Coma Scale, scored every hour
2.Easy

Which signs suggest early hypovolaemic shock after surgery?

  1. ARising heart rate, cool skin and slow capillary refill
  2. BNormal pulse with heavy sweating only after meals
  3. CHigh blood pressure with a fast, bounding pulse
  4. DSlow heart rate, flushed skin and warm hands
3.Easy

What is referred pain?

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

Which nerve is at risk if the arm is poorly padded at the elbow during surgery?

  1. AFacial nerve
  2. BSciatic nerve
  3. CFemoral nerve
  4. DUlnar nerve
5.Medium

After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a patient has pain in the right shoulder. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AA heart attack during the operation
  2. BA dislocated shoulder from patient positioning
  3. CGas used during surgery irritating the diaphragm
  4. DAn allergy to the dressing on the wound
6.Medium

Which patient is at highest risk of refeeding syndrome?

  1. AA patient with a normal BMI eating three meals a day
  2. BA patient who missed one lunch because of a scan
  3. CA healthy adult after an overnight fast for minor surgery
  4. DAn underweight patient who has eaten very little for 10 days
7.Hard

A patient with active cancer on chemotherapy develops new swelling and pain in one calf. Why must this be reported promptly?

  1. AThe swelling shows the cancer has gone
  2. BCalf swelling is a normal effect of chemotherapy
  3. CIt is only a muscle strain from walking
  4. DCancer and its treatment greatly increase clot risk
8.Hard

A few hours after thyroid surgery, a patient's neck swells rapidly and they become short of breath with stridor. What is most likely?

  1. ANormal swelling after neck surgery
  2. BA haematoma pressing on the airway
  3. CLow blood calcium from the surgery
  4. DAn allergy to the wound dressing

Answer key

  1. 1. A · An observational scale such as PAINAD or Abbey
  2. 2. A · Rising heart rate, cool skin and slow capillary refill
  3. 3. B · Pain felt at a site away from the organ causing it
  4. 4. D · Ulnar nerve
  5. 5. C · Gas used during surgery irritating the diaphragm
  6. 6. D · An underweight patient who has eaten very little for 10 days
  7. 7. D · Cancer and its treatment greatly increase clot risk
  8. 8. B · A haematoma pressing on the airway

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