Medical-Surgical Nursing Flashcards

The nurse is caring for a patient with a hip fracture who is on Buck's traction. What is the primary purpose of this traction?

Answer: Reduce muscle spasm and pain before surgery

Buck's traction (skin traction) is used preoperatively for hip fractures to reduce muscle spasm, relieve pain, and maintain alignment until surgical repair. It is not a definitive treatment but a temporary comfort and stabilization measure.

A patient is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Which symptom is most expected?

Answer: Tachycardia, weight loss, and heat intolerance

Hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone) causes increased metabolic rate, resulting in tachycardia, weight loss despite increased appetite, heat intolerance, diaphoresis, and nervousness. These are the opposite of hypothyroid symptoms.

A nurse is inserting a peripheral IV catheter. Which vein is preferred for the initial attempt in an adult?

Answer: Distal veins of the forearm or dorsum of the hand

Peripheral IV cannulation should start distally (forearm/dorsum of hand) and proceed proximally if needed. Starting distally preserves more proximal options if the distal site fails. The AC is avoided for routine access as it limits arm movement.

A patient with a chest tube is being transported. Which action is correct?

Answer: Keep the drainage system below the level of the chest at all times

The chest tube drainage system must always remain below the level of the chest to allow gravity drainage and prevent fluid from draining back into the pleural space. Clamping is only done per specific orders and briefly.

A patient post-gastrectomy experiences dizziness, sweating, and palpitations 30 minutes after eating. This presentation is most consistent with:

Answer: Dumping syndrome

Early dumping syndrome occurs 15–30 minutes after eating in post-gastrectomy patients when undigested food rapidly enters the small intestine, causing fluid shifts and vasomotor symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and palpitations.

The nurse is caring for a patient with Cushing's syndrome. Which assessment finding is expected?

Answer: Moon face, buffalo hump, and purple striae

Cushing's syndrome results from excess cortisol and causes characteristic features: moon face (facial fat redistribution), buffalo hump (fat deposit at nape of neck), purple striae (stretch marks), central obesity, and hypertension.