Chapter 02: Care of the Surgical Patient
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The patient is 38 years old and is in her second postoperative day after placement of an
intramedullary rod in her left femur. She is receiving analgesia via a patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) device. The inappropriate intervention related to caring for a patient
with a PCA is:
a. Maintaining the system.
b. Recording activations of the system.
c. Administering the analgesia to the patient.
d. Monitoring the patient’s pain.
ANS: C
With the PCA system of medication administration, the patient can self-administer an
analgesic by pressing a control button. The nurse should not give medication doses by
pushing the control button.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 50 OBJ: 13
TOP: Medication administration KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A 73-year-old patient with diabetes was admitted for below-the-knee amputation of
his right leg. Removal of his right leg is an example of which type of surgery?
a. Palliative
b. Diagnostic
c. Reconstructive
d. Ablative
ANS: D
Ablative is a type of surgery where an amputation, excision of any part of the body, or
removal of a growth and harmful substance is performed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 18, Table 2-1
OBJ: 2 TOP: Types of surgery
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. The Patient’s Bill of Rights states that a patient must give his or her permission for any
specific test or procedure to be performed. What is the legal term for this permission?
a. Verbal consent
b. Medical documentation
c. Informed consent
Mosby items and derived items © 2011, 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
, Test Bank 2-2
d. Informed decision
ANS: C
The Patient’s Bill of Rights affirms that the patients must give informed consent
(permission obtained from the patient to perform a specific test or procedure) before
the beginning of any procedure.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 24 OBJ: 6
TOP: Informed consent KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. An informed consent was to be obtained from the patient for his scheduled open
cholecystectomy. Which circumstance could prevent the patient from signing his
informed consent?
a. Pain radiating to the scapula
b. An injection of Demerol, 75 mg IM, 1 hour ago
c. The presence of jaundice and scleral icterus
d. His concern over his insurance company not covering the procedure
ANS: B
Informed consent should not be obtained if the patient is disoriented and under the
influence of sedatives.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 25 OBJ: 6
TOP: Informed consent KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment
5. The anesthesiologist provides ____ anesthesia by inhalation and IV administration
routes.
a. general
b. regional
c. specific
d. preoperative
ANS: A
An anesthesiologist gives general anesthetics by IV and inhalation routes through four
stages of anesthesia.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 37 OBJ: 11
TOP: Anesthesia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. A type of anesthesia that requires a depressed level of consciousness is
a. regional anesthesia.
b. specific anesthesia.
c. optional sedation.
Mosby items and derived items © 2011, 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.