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

Why are patients advised to stop smoking before surgery?

  1. AIt is needed so that consent forms are valid
  2. BIt makes the anaesthetic work for a shorter time
  3. CIt lowers the risk of chest and wound complications
  4. DIt stops patients from feeling hungry while fasting
2.Easy

Why does jaundice develop in liver disease?

  1. AThe kidneys make too much urea for the body
  2. BYellow pigment from food is stored in the skin
  3. CBilirubin builds up as the liver cannot clear it
  4. DThe liver makes too many red blood cells at once
3.Easy

What is an incisional hernia?

  1. AA swelling in the groin present from birth
  2. BA bulge of stomach through the diaphragm
  3. CA bulge through a weakened surgical scar
  4. DA pouch in the wall of the colon
4.Medium

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

  1. ASciatic nerve
  2. BUlnar nerve
  3. CFacial nerve
  4. DFemoral nerve
5.Medium

What is the most important safety point about misoprostol?

  1. AIt causes severe constipation in most patients
  2. BIt can cause miscarriage and must not be used in pregnancy
  3. CIt must be given only by deep intramuscular injection
  4. DIt strongly raises blood glucose in people with diabetes
6.Medium

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

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

During a nasogastric feed, a patient starts coughing and SpO₂ falls from 96% to 89%. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AIncrease the feed rate to finish it sooner
  2. BStop the feed and assess the airway and breathing
  3. CGive a drink of water to clear the throat
  4. DLay the patient flat to help them rest
8.Hard

A patient with advanced cancer who has capacity decides to stop chemotherapy. The family insists that treatment must continue. What should the nurse do?

  1. ASupport the patient's decision and help the team talk with the family
  2. BContinue treatment because the family has asked for it
  3. CTell the patient that stopping is not allowed
  4. DAsk the family to sign a new consent form

Answer key

  1. 1. C · It lowers the risk of chest and wound complications
  2. 2. C · Bilirubin builds up as the liver cannot clear it
  3. 3. C · A bulge through a weakened surgical scar
  4. 4. B · Ulnar nerve
  5. 5. B · It can cause miscarriage and must not be used in pregnancy
  6. 6. B · They may need extra steroid cover to prevent an adrenal crisis
  7. 7. B · Stop the feed and assess the airway and breathing
  8. 8. A · Support the patient's decision and help the team talk with the family

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