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Med Surg Exam 1 Chapter 1 Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
How does the nursing process apply to medical-surgical patients?✔✔ It involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation to deliver individualized, evidence-based care.
Why is prioritizing patient care critical in medical-surgical nursing?✔✔ It ensures life-threatening or urgent needs are addressed first, improving patient outcomes and safety.
What is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections in surgical patients?✔✔ Improper hand hygiene and poor aseptic techniques during procedures or wound care.
How does immobility affect postoperative patients?✔✔ It increases the risk of blood clots, pressure ulcers, pneumonia, and muscle atrophy.
What are the key signs of respiratory distress in a post-op patient? 1 / 3
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✔✔ Increased respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, cyanosis, and decreased oxygen saturation.
Why is early ambulation encouraged after surgery?✔✔ It prevents complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), atelectasis, and ileus.
What is the nurse’s role in preventing surgical site infections?✔✔ Ensuring proper wound care, monitoring for redness/drainage, and educating patients on hygiene.
How would you assess for fluid overload in a heart failure patient?✔✔ Check for crackles in lungs, jugular vein distension, weight gain, and peripheral edema.
What is the first action if a patient develops sudden chest pain postoperatively?✔✔ Assess vital signs, administer oxygen, and notify the provider immediately.
Why are anticoagulants prescribed after joint replacement surgery? 2 / 3
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✔✔ To prevent DVT and pulmonary embolism due to reduced mobility and increased clotting risk.
What is the most critical nursing intervention for a patient with a nasogastric tube?✔✔ Maintaining tube patency by irrigating as ordered and monitoring for proper placement.
How does chronic kidney disease affect medication dosing?✔✔ Many drugs require dose adjustments or avoidance due to impaired renal excretion.
What is the priority nursing action for a patient with acute pancreatitis?✔✔ Managing pain with ordered analgesics and maintaining NPO status to rest the pancreas.
Why is strict glucose monitoring important in critically ill patients?✔✔ Stress and illness can cause hyperglycemia, impairing healing and increasing infection risk.
What are the warning signs of compartment syndrome?✔✔ Severe pain unrelieved by meds, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness, and paralysis (the 5 P’s).
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