DHA Nursing Medical-Surgical Nursing 2

Question 1

Which assessment finding in a post-thyroidectomy patient requires immediate nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Tetany, tingling around the mouth, and positive Trousseau's sign

Answer

Tetany and positive Trousseau's sign indicate hypocalcaemia due to accidental parathyroid gland damage during thyroidectomy, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of incentive spirometry in post-operative patients?

Accepted Answer

To encourage deep breathing and prevent atelectasis

Answer

Incentive spirometry promotes sustained maximal inspiration, expanding alveoli and preventing atelectasis—a common post-operative pulmonary complication.

Question 3

A patient with a chest tube to water-seal drainage shows continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Air leak in the system or lung

Answer

Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber (not during respiration only) suggests an ongoing air leak, either from the patient's lung or a break in the drainage system.

Question 4

Which finding indicates fluid volume excess (hypervolaemia) in a medical-surgical patient?

Accepted Answer

Bounding pulse, crackles in lung bases, and peripheral oedema

Answer

Fluid volume excess causes increased vascular pressure, leading to a bounding pulse, pulmonary oedema heard as crackles, and peripheral oedema from fluid shifting into tissues.

Question 5

Before administering a blood transfusion, which nursing action is the most critical safety step?

Accepted Answer

Two-nurse verification of patient identity and blood product compatibility

Answer

Two-nurse identity and blood product verification is the critical safety check that prevents transfusion reactions caused by administering incompatible blood.

DHA Nursing Practice Test

DHA Nursing Practice Test

DHA Nursing Medical-Surgical Nursing 2