Med-surg: neuro, endocrine & renal worksheet with answers

Free printable Med-surg: neuro, endocrine & renal 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 picture is typical of Guillain–Barré syndrome?

  1. AA sudden one-sided facial droop with slurred speech
  2. BA resting tremor that slowly spreads to the other hand
  3. CMuscle weakness that worsens late in the day and improves with rest
  4. DRising weakness from the legs, weeks after an infection
2.Easy

Which symptoms in a patient with back pain suggest cauda equina syndrome?

  1. ABack pain that eases when walking around the house
  2. BNumbness between the legs and new bladder problems
  3. CPain that is worse after a long day at work
  4. DMild stiffness in the morning that soon wears off
3.Easy

Why are patients with a spinal cord injury at very high risk of pressure injuries?

  1. AThey cannot feel or move the body below the injury
  2. BThey usually have a high fever for many weeks
  3. CTheir blood sugar is always very high, which damages the skin
  4. DTheir skin is thinner than other people's skin
4.Medium

A patient has a nephrostomy tube. Which finding needs urgent action?

  1. ADrainage that stops suddenly with new loin pain
  2. BSteady urine drainage into the bag
  3. CLight pink urine on the first day after insertion
  4. DA dry, intact dressing at the site
5.Medium

A patient with Conn's syndrome starts spironolactone. Which blood test should the nurse watch most closely?

  1. ACalcium
  2. BPotassium
  3. CGlucose
  4. DAmylase
6.Medium

Which criterion for acute kidney injury (KDIGO) relates to urine output?

  1. ABelow 0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 hours or more
  2. BBelow 1 L in 24 hours whatever the intake
  3. CAny change in the colour of the urine
  4. DBelow 2 mL/kg/h for 1 hour
7.Hard

A patient on a variable rate IV insulin infusion is nil by mouth. Why is a glucose-containing IV fluid usually given alongside it?

  1. ATo prevent hypoglycaemia while insulin is running
  2. BTo replace the potassium lost from the cells
  3. CTo stop the insulin sticking to the IV tubing
  4. DTo speed up the action of the insulin in the muscles
8.Hard

A day after a total thyroidectomy, a patient has tingling lips, a positive Chvostek's sign and a corrected calcium of 1.85 mmol/L (about 7.4 mg/dL). What does the nurse expect?

  1. AOral levothyroxine, with a recheck of the calcium in a month
  2. BIV calcium gluconate and monitoring for laryngospasm
  3. CIV potassium chloride and a fluid restriction
  4. DA loop diuretic to remove the extra calcium

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Rising weakness from the legs, weeks after an infection
  2. 2. B · Numbness between the legs and new bladder problems
  3. 3. A · They cannot feel or move the body below the injury
  4. 4. A · Drainage that stops suddenly with new loin pain
  5. 5. B · Potassium
  6. 6. A · Below 0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 hours or more
  7. 7. A · To prevent hypoglycaemia while insulin is running
  8. 8. B · IV calcium gluconate and monitoring for laryngospasm

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