NR 226 Adult Health I - Week 6: Perioperative Nursing Study Guide
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the
informed consent?
A. The perioperative nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The charge nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
the patient. The nurse may witness the signature and ensure the patient understands, but
the legal responsibility lies with the surgeon.
2. Which assessment finding in the PACU is the highest priority for the nurse to
address first?
A. Stridor and oxygen saturation 88%
B. Pain level 7/10
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D. Urine output 25 mL over the last hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are always the first priority. Stridor indicates an
airway obstruction and low oxygen saturation requires immediate intervention.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, the ‘Time Out’ is performed to prevent
which error?
A. Postoperative infection
B. Wrong-site surgery
C. Anesthesia awareness
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a safety protocol where the team verifies the correct patient,
correct procedure, and correct site before the incision.
4. Which medication is typically administered to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat the
hypermetabolic crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about incentive spirometry. What instruction
should be included?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Use the device once every 4 hours
C. Inhale deeply and slowly through the mouthpiece
D. Avoid coughing after using the device
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry requires a slow, deep inhalation to expand the alveoli and
prevent atelectasis.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team remains in the unsterile field and
maintains documentation?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. First assistant
D. Circulating nurse
Answer: D
Rationale: The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field, coordinates care, monitors
safety, and documents the procedure.
7. A patient reports an allergy to avocados and bananas. Which perioperative
risk should the nurse prioritize?
A. Iodine allergy
B. Latex sensitivity
C. Propofol reaction
D. Malignant hyperthermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-sensitivity exists between certain fruits (avocados, bananas, kiwi) and
latex. This indicates a high risk for latex allergy.
8. What is the rationale for keeping a patient NPO after midnight before
surgery?
A. To prevent postoperative constipation
B. To ensure accurate body weight measurement
C. To prevent fluid overload during surgery
D. To decrease the risk of aspiration under anesthesia
Answer: D
Rationale: NPO status reduces gastric volume and acidity, minimizing the risk of
pulmonary aspiration if the patient vomits during induction of anesthesia.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the
informed consent?
A. The perioperative nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The charge nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
the patient. The nurse may witness the signature and ensure the patient understands, but
the legal responsibility lies with the surgeon.
2. Which assessment finding in the PACU is the highest priority for the nurse to
address first?
A. Stridor and oxygen saturation 88%
B. Pain level 7/10
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D. Urine output 25 mL over the last hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation are always the first priority. Stridor indicates an
airway obstruction and low oxygen saturation requires immediate intervention.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, the ‘Time Out’ is performed to prevent
which error?
A. Postoperative infection
B. Wrong-site surgery
C. Anesthesia awareness
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a safety protocol where the team verifies the correct patient,
correct procedure, and correct site before the incision.
4. Which medication is typically administered to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat the
hypermetabolic crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about incentive spirometry. What instruction
should be included?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Use the device once every 4 hours
C. Inhale deeply and slowly through the mouthpiece
D. Avoid coughing after using the device
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry requires a slow, deep inhalation to expand the alveoli and
prevent atelectasis.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team remains in the unsterile field and
maintains documentation?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Surgical technologist
C. First assistant
D. Circulating nurse
Answer: D
Rationale: The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field, coordinates care, monitors
safety, and documents the procedure.
7. A patient reports an allergy to avocados and bananas. Which perioperative
risk should the nurse prioritize?
A. Iodine allergy
B. Latex sensitivity
C. Propofol reaction
D. Malignant hyperthermia
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-sensitivity exists between certain fruits (avocados, bananas, kiwi) and
latex. This indicates a high risk for latex allergy.
8. What is the rationale for keeping a patient NPO after midnight before
surgery?
A. To prevent postoperative constipation
B. To ensure accurate body weight measurement
C. To prevent fluid overload during surgery
D. To decrease the risk of aspiration under anesthesia
Answer: D
Rationale: NPO status reduces gastric volume and acidity, minimizing the risk of
pulmonary aspiration if the patient vomits during induction of anesthesia.
