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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Which blood test is most commonly used to estimate kidney function?

  1. ASerum amylase level
  2. BHbA1c (glycated haemoglobin)
  3. CSerum albumin level
  4. DSerum creatinine (eGFR)
2.Easy

How should a patient with a suspected spinal injury be turned?

  1. ATurned at the shoulders first, then at the hips
  2. BLifted by the arms and legs by one person
  3. CAsked to roll over slowly by themselves
  4. DLog-rolled by a team keeping the spine aligned
3.Easy

Which group of symptoms is typical of hypothyroidism?

  1. AHeat intolerance, weight loss, a fine tremor and palpitations
  2. BCold intolerance, tiredness, weight gain and constipation
  3. CDiarrhoea, anxiety, sweating and bulging eyes
  4. DGreat thirst and passing large volumes of urine
4.Medium

Before surgery for a phaeochromocytoma, why is an alpha-blocker started before any beta-blocker?

  1. AAlpha-blockers lower the blood glucose before surgery
  2. BA beta-blocker alone can cause a dangerous rise in BP
  3. CBeta-blockers given first would make the tumour grow faster
  4. DThe order of the two drugs makes no difference
5.Medium

Why is once-daily prednisolone usually taken in the morning with food?

  1. ABecause it cannot be absorbed at night
  2. BBecause it causes drowsiness and is safer to take during the day
  3. CBecause food doubles the strength of the dose
  4. DTo match the natural cortisol rhythm and protect the stomach
6.Medium

A patient with multiple sclerosis says their symptoms get worse after a hot bath. What should the nurse explain?

  1. AHeat can briefly worsen MS symptoms, which settle when they cool down
  2. BThis shows that the disease has entered a new progressive stage
  3. CThey should take very cold baths to reverse the damage
  4. DHot baths cause new areas of damage in the brain
7.Hard

Two days after surgery, an 80-year-old woman is quiet, sleepy, slow to answer and eating little. Her daughter says she is "not herself". What should the nurse suspect?

  1. AHypoactive delirium
  2. BSimple low mood about being in hospital
  3. CNormal tiredness after an operation
  4. DThe start of Alzheimer's disease
8.Hard

A patient with Parkinson's disease becomes agitated and confused at night. Which newly prescribed drug should the nurse question?

  1. AMelatonin
  2. BLactulose
  3. CHaloperidol
  4. DParacetamol (acetaminophen)

Answer key

  1. 1. D · Serum creatinine (eGFR)
  2. 2. D · Log-rolled by a team keeping the spine aligned
  3. 3. B · Cold intolerance, tiredness, weight gain and constipation
  4. 4. B · A beta-blocker alone can cause a dangerous rise in BP
  5. 5. D · To match the natural cortisol rhythm and protect the stomach
  6. 6. A · Heat can briefly worsen MS symptoms, which settle when they cool down
  7. 7. A · Hypoactive delirium
  8. 8. C · Haloperidol

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.