Nurses licensure exams: SURGICAL NURSING Past Questions
Nursing is a hugely varied profession. Every day is different, with new challenges to navigate, often in highly pressurised situations. Ultimately, nurses are there to offer emotional and practical support to ill people, so first and foremost a caring nature is essential. The Council conducts licensing examinations for qualification as Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives.
Applications from candidates who wish to sit for the licensing examinations are received by the Examination Unit which coordinates the preparation of test items, obtain examination centers, identify invigilators and examiners, assess examination scripts and publish results.
Licensing examinations for the various programmes are held in February/March, June/July, August and November/December every year.
Candidates who pass the licensing examination are issued Professional Identification Number (PIN) and a certificate of registration. Those who pursue Auxiliary programmes are issued with Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN) and a certificate of registration.
The following are sampled questions for the Surgical Nursing.
Also:
Nurses Licensure Exams: Medicine Past Questions and Answers
Nurses licensure exams: SURGICAL NURSING Past Questions
Nurses Licensure Exams: General Paper Past Questions
1. The respiratory system is mainly divided into
the:
a. Cerebral and the lesser respiratory system
b. Upper and Cerebral respiratory system
c. Upper and the Lower respiratory system
d. Upper, intermediate and the lower respiratory system.
3. How does palliative surgery differ from any other type of surgery?
a. Palliative surgery is performed to provide temporary relief of distressing symptoms rather than to cure a condition.
b. The main purpose is cosmetic in nature rather than functional repair or comfort
c. The outcomes of palliative surgery cannot be ensured to produce the desired effect or restoration of functional ability.
d. There are fewer risks associated with palliative surgery than with any other type of surgery
4. You are working with a client who has a respiratory disease. You find that this client is able to breathe only in an upright or standing position. In charting, which of the following medical terms could be used to describe this condition?
a. Apnea
b. Bradypnea
c. Orthopnea
d. Tachypnea
5. Appendectomy is best classified as a/an………surgery.
a. Ablative
b. Constructive
c. Palliative
d. Reconstructive
6. Skin is shaved prior to surgery in order to:
a. Facilitate skin incision
b. Indicate the site to be draped
c. Prevent wound infection
d. Reduce post-operative scarring
7. The most important nursing objective for a patient who vomits immediately after surgery is to prevent:
a. Aspiration
b. Dehydration
c. Metabolic alkalosis
d. Rupture of suture line
8. Human papilloma virus is known to be associated with:
a. Cervical cancer
b. Gastric cancer
c. Hepatocellular cancer
d. Lymphoma
9. The patient understands cancer cells when the patient states:
a. Cancer cells are more cohesive than normal cells
b. Cancer cells uncontrollably divide
c. Cancer is a death sentence
d. Mature cells function until they die
10. The accumulation of pus in the pleural space is called:
a. Haemothorax
b. Hydrothorax
c. Pleural effusion
d. Pyothorax
Also:
Nurses Licensure Exams: Medicine Past Questions and Answers
Nurses licensure exams: SURGICAL NURSING Past Questions
Nurses Licensure Exams: General Paper Past Questions
11. Which of the following ligatures would the nurse give the surgeon if he requests for one which is absorbed between 10 – 14 days:
a. Chromic catgut
b. Nylon ligature
c. Plain catgut
d. Silk thread
12. Which of the following organs is used by both the digestive and the respiratory systems?
a. Epiglottis
b. Larynx
c. Oesophagus
d. Pharynx
13. A client asks the nurse, ‘why must I do deep-breathing exercises?’ How should the nurse reply?
a. ‘Deep breathing helps prevent pneumonia and atelectasis’
b. ‘Insurance won’t pay if you don’t do these exercises’
c. ‘The doctor has ordered this, and you must do it’
d. ‘All our clients have to do deep breathing after surgery’
14. The following are TRUE when suctioning a patient with a tracheostomy EXCEPT:
a. Initiate suction as catheter is being withdrawn
b. Insert the catheter until the cough reflex is stimulated
c. Remove the inner cannula before inserting the suction catheter
d. Use a fresh sterile catheter with each insertion
15. All the following factors ensure validity of informed written consent EXCEPT:
a. If the patient is a child, secure consent from the parents or legal guardian
b. If the patient is unable to write, the nurse signs the consent for the patient
c. The consent is secured before administration of preoperative medications
d. The patient is of legal age with proper mental disposition
16. The muscle layer differentiates the muscularis of the stomach from the rest of the gastrointestinal tract is:
a. Circular muscle layer
b. Longitudinal muscle layer
c. Oblique muscle layer
d. Transverse muscle layer
17. In a client with terminal lung cancer, the focus of nursing care is on which of the following nursing interventions?
a. Preparing the client’s will
b. Providing emotional support
c. Providing nutritional support
d. Providing pain control
18. Metabolic complications of subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth I or Billroth II reconstruction include:
a. Dumping syndrome
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Hyperthyroidism
d. Metabolic acidosis
19. Which of these statements about inguinal hernia is FALSE?
a. Cough impulse may be absent with a large hernia
b. Deep ring is a defect in fascia transversalis
c. Mesh repair is contraindicated except in the case of recurrence
d. Repair can be done under local anaesthesia
20. The phases of the peri –operative period, as usually identified, include which of the following?
a. Healing phase
b. Pre-anaesthetic phase
c. Preliminary work-up phase
d. Pre-operative phase
21. A client is scheduled for surgery in the morning. Preoperative orders have been written. What is the most important action to take before surgery?
a. Have all consent forms signed
b. Inform family or next of kin
c. Remove all jewelleries or tape wedding ring
d. Verify that all laboratory work is complete
22. The nurse is caring for a first day postoperative surgical client. Prioritize the patient’s desired dietary progression. Arrange in sequence the dietary progression from 1 to 4:
1. Full liquid
2. Nil per os (NPO)
3. Clear liquid
4. Soft diet
a. 4, 3, 2, 1
b. 2, 1, 4, 3
c. 1, 2, 3, 4
d. 2, 3, 1, 4
23. Adwoa has undergone subtotal gastrectomy. The nurse should expect the nasogastric tube drainage to be ……………..in colour for about 12 to 24 hours after surgery?
a. Bile green
b. Bright red
c. Cloudy white
d. Dark brown
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Nurses Licensure Exams: Medicine Past Questions and Answers
Nurses licensure exams: SURGICAL NURSING Past Questions
Nurses Licensure Exams: General Paper Past Questions
24. After gastroscopy, an adaptation that indicates major complication would be:
a. Abdominal distention
b. Difficulty in swallowing
c. Increased gastrointestinal motility
d. Nausea and vomiting
25. A client has Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The nurse should teach the client that after every meal, he should:
a. Drink plenty of water
b. Lie down at least 30minutes
c. Rest in sitting position
d. Take a short walk
26. Which of the jaundice seen in adults is the result of increased destruction of red blood cells?
a. Haemolytic
b. Hepatocellular
c. Non-obstructive
d. Obstructive
27. To minimize client discomfort due to haemorrhoids, client education should include:
a. Advise to wear silk undergarments
b. Avoid straining during defaecation
c. Suggest to eat low roughage diet
d. Use of sitz bath for 30mininutes
28. Which of the following definitions best describes diverticulosis?
a. A non – inflamed outpouching of the intestine
b. An abnormal protrusion of organ through the structure that usually holds it
c. An inflamed outpouching of the intestine
d. The partial impairment of the forward flow of intestinal contents
29. Which of the following types of diet is implicated in the development of diverticulosis?
a. High-fibre diet
b. High-protein diet
c. Low-carbohydrate diet
d. Low-fibre diet
• A diverticulum forms when the mucosa and submucosal layers of the colon herniate through the muscular wall because of high intraluminal pressure, low volume in the colon (ie, fiber-deficient contents), and decreased muscle strength in the colon wall (ie,muscular hypertrophy from hardened fecal masses).
• Bowel contents can accumulate in the diverticulum and decompose, causing inflammation and infection.
30. Which of the following complications is thought to be the most common cause of appendicitis?
a. Abdominal wall swelling
b. Bowel kinking
c. Faecalith
d. Internal bowl occlusion
31. Joints are regions where:
a. One bone meets another bone
b. Two or more bones meet
c. Two or more ligaments meet
d. Two or more tendons meet
32. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by the Glands.
a. Adrenal
b. Endocrine
c. Endocrine and exocrine
d. Exocrine
33. A patient in the ward with ulcerative colitis has been sent to the theatre for surgery. The nurse should be aware that the surgical intervention for the condition may be:
a. Abdominoperineal resection
b. Colostomy
c. Gastrojejunostomy
d. Illeostomy
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34. One characteristics of benign tumour is:
a. Encapsulation and slow growing lump
b. Infiltration of surrounding tissues
c. No encapsulation and usually single
d. Rapid growth with shape unlike the patient tissue
Also:
Nurses Licensure Exams: Medicine Past Questions and Answers
Nurses licensure exams: SURGICAL NURSING Past Questions
Nurses Licensure Exams: General Paper Past Questions
35. The nurse instruct her client who has had a haemorrhoidectomy not to use sitz bath until at least 12hours postoperatively. This instruction is to avoid what complication?
a. Constipation
b. Hemorrhage
c. Rectal spasm
d. Urinary retention
36. The immediate threat to life resulting from severe burns is loss of:
a. Body fluid
b. Body temperature control
c. Serum protein
d. Vitamin D
37. Instruments designed for exposing the operative site for clearer view are known as:
a. Clampers
b. Dilators
c. Graspers
d. Retractors
38. Hormones have the ability to regulate functions such as:
a. Fluid and electrolyte balance, memory and balance
b. Growth, reproduction, metabolism and fluild and electrolyte balance
c. Memory, growth, reproduction, metabolism and fluid and electrolyte balance
d. Metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, and heat production
39. A nursing student is listing the function of the musculoskeletal system. Which of the following is NOT one of its functions?
a. Increased immune response
b. Produces blood cells
c. Provides stability and mobility
d. Storage of phosphorus
40. Which of the following is a metabolic bone disease that is characterized by inadequate mineralization of bone?
a. Osteoarthritis
b. Osteomalacia
c. Osteomyelitis
d. Osteoporosis
41. Prevention of calcium oxalate stones would include dietary restrictions of:
a. Dried beans and dried fruits
b. Liver, kidney and sweetbread
c. Milk and milk products
d. Spinach, cabbage, and tomatoes
42. Which musculoskeletal connects bones to each other at the joint level and encases the joint capsule?
a. Cartilage
b. Ligament
c. Muscle fibre
d. Tendon
43. Which of the following is a common complication of varicocele?
a. Cancer
b. Erectile dysfunction
c. Infertility
d. Priapism
A varicocele is an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus and the internal spermatic vein in the scrotum (the network of veins from the testis and the epididymis that constitute part of the spermatic cord).
44. Osteoblast activity is needed for which of the following functions?
a. Bone destruction
b. Bone formation
c. Haematopoiesis
d. Oestrogen production
45. Which of the following care should the nurse provide following an intravenous pyelogram test?
a. Encourage fluids
b. Maintain bed rest for 24 hours
c. Maintain nil per os (NPO)
d. Put patient in the prone position
46. Maame Bediako, who has cancer of the breast, is uncertain about whether to have mastectomy. To assist her, the nurse should consider taking which of these approaches first?
a. Discuss Maame Bediako’s options with her so that she can make the best choice
b. Explain to Maame Bediako that the procedure provides the highest cure rate
c. Explore with Maame Bediako her feelings about having her breast removed.
d. Tell Maame Bediako that her decision is a medical and not a nursing matter
FROM QUESTIONS 47 TO 49, MATCH THE ITEMS IN COLUMN A WITH THEIR
MEANINGS IN COLUMN B
COLUMN A COLUMN B
47. Scoliosis A. Increased inward curvature of the lumbar spine
48. Kyphosis B. Decreased inward curvature of the lumbar spine
49. Lordosis C. Lateral curvature of the thoracic spine
D. Increased forward curvature of the thoracic spine
E. Decreased forward curvature of the thoracic spine
50. Cryptorchidism must be treated early in life to prevent
a. Chronic infection
b. Sterility
c. Testicular torsion
d. Varicocele
