NR 226 Adult Health I - Week 3: Perioperative Nursing and Acid-Base
Balance 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. Which nursing action is a priority when preparing a patient for surgery?
A. Reviewing the patient’s current laboratory results
B. Ensuring the patient has signed the informed consent form
C. Performing a complete physical assessment
D. Checking that the patient is wearing an ID band
Answer: A
Rationale: While all are important, reviewing lab results (like potassium levels or
coagulation studies) is a priority to identify potential risks that could lead to surgical
cancellation or complications.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for explaining
the procedure, risks, and benefits?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The surgical scrub technician
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for obtaining informed consent by explaining
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
,3. What is the most common cause of respiratory acidosis in a postoperative
patient?
A. Hyperventilation due to pain
B. Excessive loss of gastric secretions
C. Hypoventilation due to anesthesia and opioids
D. Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoventilation leads to CO2 retention, which is the primary cause of
respiratory acidosis in postoperative patients.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document the allergy and notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
B. Notify the kitchen to ensure these items are not on the patient’s tray
C. Inform the patient that these allergies are not relevant to surgery
D. Administer an antihistamine immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain fruits (bananas, avocados, kiwis) and
latex; this patient is at higher risk for a latex allergy.
5. What is the primary purpose of having a patient remain NPO (nothing by
mouth) for 6 to 8 hours before surgery?
A. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
B. To prevent post-operative flatulence
C. To ensure the patient’s stomach is empty for better visibility
D. To prevent electrolyte imbalances during surgery
Answer: A
Rationale: Anesthesia can suppress the gag reflex, and an empty stomach reduces the risk
of vomiting and subsequent aspiration pneumonia.
, 6. A patient is in the PACU and has a low-grade fever (99.8°F) 4 hours after
surgery. What is the most likely cause?
A. Surgical site infection
B. Normal inflammatory response to surgery
C. Pneumonia
D. Urinary tract infection
Answer: B
Rationale: A low-grade fever in the first 24-48 hours post-op is usually a normal
inflammatory response to the stress of surgery.
7. Which medication should the nurse instruct the patient to withhold several
days before elective surgery to prevent bleeding?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. Warfarin
D. Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant and must be stopped prior to surgery to reduce
the risk of intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage.
8. What is the ‘Time Out’ procedure in the operating room?
A. A break for the surgical staff to rest
B. A final verification of the correct patient, site, and procedure before starting
C. A period where the patient is allowed to wake up from anesthesia
D. The time taken to count sponges and instruments
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a safety standard where the entire team confirms the correct
patient, correct site, and correct procedure immediately before the incision.
Balance 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. Which nursing action is a priority when preparing a patient for surgery?
A. Reviewing the patient’s current laboratory results
B. Ensuring the patient has signed the informed consent form
C. Performing a complete physical assessment
D. Checking that the patient is wearing an ID band
Answer: A
Rationale: While all are important, reviewing lab results (like potassium levels or
coagulation studies) is a priority to identify potential risks that could lead to surgical
cancellation or complications.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for explaining
the procedure, risks, and benefits?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The surgical scrub technician
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for obtaining informed consent by explaining
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
,3. What is the most common cause of respiratory acidosis in a postoperative
patient?
A. Hyperventilation due to pain
B. Excessive loss of gastric secretions
C. Hypoventilation due to anesthesia and opioids
D. Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoventilation leads to CO2 retention, which is the primary cause of
respiratory acidosis in postoperative patients.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document the allergy and notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
B. Notify the kitchen to ensure these items are not on the patient’s tray
C. Inform the patient that these allergies are not relevant to surgery
D. Administer an antihistamine immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain fruits (bananas, avocados, kiwis) and
latex; this patient is at higher risk for a latex allergy.
5. What is the primary purpose of having a patient remain NPO (nothing by
mouth) for 6 to 8 hours before surgery?
A. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
B. To prevent post-operative flatulence
C. To ensure the patient’s stomach is empty for better visibility
D. To prevent electrolyte imbalances during surgery
Answer: A
Rationale: Anesthesia can suppress the gag reflex, and an empty stomach reduces the risk
of vomiting and subsequent aspiration pneumonia.
, 6. A patient is in the PACU and has a low-grade fever (99.8°F) 4 hours after
surgery. What is the most likely cause?
A. Surgical site infection
B. Normal inflammatory response to surgery
C. Pneumonia
D. Urinary tract infection
Answer: B
Rationale: A low-grade fever in the first 24-48 hours post-op is usually a normal
inflammatory response to the stress of surgery.
7. Which medication should the nurse instruct the patient to withhold several
days before elective surgery to prevent bleeding?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. Warfarin
D. Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant and must be stopped prior to surgery to reduce
the risk of intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage.
8. What is the ‘Time Out’ procedure in the operating room?
A. A break for the surgical staff to rest
B. A final verification of the correct patient, site, and procedure before starting
C. A period where the patient is allowed to wake up from anesthesia
D. The time taken to count sponges and instruments
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a safety standard where the entire team confirms the correct
patient, correct site, and correct procedure immediately before the incision.
