SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR
THE NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION 9TH
EDITION ACTUAL EXAM 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⩥ When performing a surgical dressing change of a client's abdominal
dressing, a nurse notes an increase in the amount of drainage and
separation of the incision line. The underlying tissue is visible to the
nurse. The nurse should do which of the following in the initial care of
this wound?
1. Leave the incision open to the air to dry the area.
2. Irrigate the wound and apply a sterile dry dressing.
3. Apply a sterile dressing soaked with normal saline.
4. Apply a sterile dressing soaked in providone-iodine (Betadine).
Answer: 3. Apply a sterile dressing soaked with normal saline.
Rationale: Wound dehiscence is the separation of wound edges at the
suture line. Signs and symptoms include increased drainage and the
appearance of underlying tissues. Dehiscence usually occurs 6 to 8 days
after surgery. The client should be instructed to remain quiet and avoid
coughing or straining. The client should be positioned to prevent further
stress on the wound (semi-Fowler's). Sterile dressings soaked with
sterile normal saline should be used to cover the wound. The nurse must
notify the physician after applying the initial dressing to the wound.
Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.
,Test-taking strategy: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate option 1
first because this action would dry the wound and also present a risk of
infection to the underlying tissues. Eliminate options 2 and 4 next
because a dry dressing and a dressing soaked with providone-iodine will
irritate the exposed body tissues. Review initial nursing care when
dehiscence or evisceration occurs if you had difficulty with this
question.
⩥ A nurse is monitoring the status of a postoperative client. The nurse
would become most concerned with which of the following signs that
could indicate an evolving complication?
1. Increasing restlessness
2. A negative Homans' sign
3. Hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants
4. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg and a pulse of 86 beats/min.
Answer: 1. Increasing restlessness
Rationale: Increasing restlessness is a sign that requires continuous and
close monitoring because it could indicate a potential complication, such
as hemorrhage, shock, or pulmonary embolism. A blood pressure of
110/70 mm Hg with a pulse of 86 beats/minute is within normal limits.
Hypoactive bowel sounds heard in all four quadrants are a normal
occurrence, as is a negative Homans' sign (A positive Homans' sign may
indicate thrombophlebitis).
, Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination and note the
strategic word, "most". Focus on the subject , "a manifestation of an
evolving complication". Eliminate each of the incorrect options because
they are comparable or alike and are normal expected findings. If you
had difficulty with this question, review the normal expected
postoperative findings and the signs and symptoms of postoperative
complications.
⩥ A nurse is reviewing a physician's order sheet for a preoperative client
that states that the client must be NPO after midnight. The nurse would
telephone the physician to clarify whether which of the following
medications should be given to the client and not withheld?
1. Ferrous sulfate
2. Prednisone (Deltasone)
3. Cycloenzaprine (Flexeril)
4. Conjugated estrogen (Premarin). Answer: 2. Prednisone (Deltasone)
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid. With prolonged use,
corticosteroids cause adrenal atrophy, which reduces the ability of the
body to withstand stress. When stress is severe, corticosteroids are
essential to life. Before and during surgery, dosages may be increased
temporarily. Ferrous sulfate is an oral iron preparation used to treat iron
deficiency anemia. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is a skeletal muscle
relaxant. Conjugated estrogen (Premarin) is an estrogen used for
hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. These last
three medications may be withheld before surgery without undue effects
on the client.
THE NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION 9TH
EDITION ACTUAL EXAM 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⩥ When performing a surgical dressing change of a client's abdominal
dressing, a nurse notes an increase in the amount of drainage and
separation of the incision line. The underlying tissue is visible to the
nurse. The nurse should do which of the following in the initial care of
this wound?
1. Leave the incision open to the air to dry the area.
2. Irrigate the wound and apply a sterile dry dressing.
3. Apply a sterile dressing soaked with normal saline.
4. Apply a sterile dressing soaked in providone-iodine (Betadine).
Answer: 3. Apply a sterile dressing soaked with normal saline.
Rationale: Wound dehiscence is the separation of wound edges at the
suture line. Signs and symptoms include increased drainage and the
appearance of underlying tissues. Dehiscence usually occurs 6 to 8 days
after surgery. The client should be instructed to remain quiet and avoid
coughing or straining. The client should be positioned to prevent further
stress on the wound (semi-Fowler's). Sterile dressings soaked with
sterile normal saline should be used to cover the wound. The nurse must
notify the physician after applying the initial dressing to the wound.
Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.
,Test-taking strategy: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate option 1
first because this action would dry the wound and also present a risk of
infection to the underlying tissues. Eliminate options 2 and 4 next
because a dry dressing and a dressing soaked with providone-iodine will
irritate the exposed body tissues. Review initial nursing care when
dehiscence or evisceration occurs if you had difficulty with this
question.
⩥ A nurse is monitoring the status of a postoperative client. The nurse
would become most concerned with which of the following signs that
could indicate an evolving complication?
1. Increasing restlessness
2. A negative Homans' sign
3. Hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants
4. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg and a pulse of 86 beats/min.
Answer: 1. Increasing restlessness
Rationale: Increasing restlessness is a sign that requires continuous and
close monitoring because it could indicate a potential complication, such
as hemorrhage, shock, or pulmonary embolism. A blood pressure of
110/70 mm Hg with a pulse of 86 beats/minute is within normal limits.
Hypoactive bowel sounds heard in all four quadrants are a normal
occurrence, as is a negative Homans' sign (A positive Homans' sign may
indicate thrombophlebitis).
, Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination and note the
strategic word, "most". Focus on the subject , "a manifestation of an
evolving complication". Eliminate each of the incorrect options because
they are comparable or alike and are normal expected findings. If you
had difficulty with this question, review the normal expected
postoperative findings and the signs and symptoms of postoperative
complications.
⩥ A nurse is reviewing a physician's order sheet for a preoperative client
that states that the client must be NPO after midnight. The nurse would
telephone the physician to clarify whether which of the following
medications should be given to the client and not withheld?
1. Ferrous sulfate
2. Prednisone (Deltasone)
3. Cycloenzaprine (Flexeril)
4. Conjugated estrogen (Premarin). Answer: 2. Prednisone (Deltasone)
Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid. With prolonged use,
corticosteroids cause adrenal atrophy, which reduces the ability of the
body to withstand stress. When stress is severe, corticosteroids are
essential to life. Before and during surgery, dosages may be increased
temporarily. Ferrous sulfate is an oral iron preparation used to treat iron
deficiency anemia. Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is a skeletal muscle
relaxant. Conjugated estrogen (Premarin) is an estrogen used for
hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. These last
three medications may be withheld before surgery without undue effects
on the client.
