NSG 123 Exam #2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Perioperative Care, Respiratory
Disorders, & Acid-Base Balance | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 123 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Perioperative & Respiratory
Source: NSG 123 Exam #2 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is the leading cause of preventable adverse events in healthcare?
Correct Answer: Communication failures (handoff errors, incomplete information transfer).
1. Communication breakdown is leading root cause of sentinel events per Joint Commission.
2. Standardized tools (SBAR, read-back) reduce errors.
3. Handoffs occur at shift change, transfer, and discharge.
2. When does "handoff" communication occur?
Correct Answer: Any time responsibility for a client is transferred to another person (shift change,
transfer, discharge).
1. Critical information must be communicated accurately to avoid errors.
2. Handoff includes patient status, medications, allergies, plan of care, and pending tests.
3. I-PASS mnemonic: Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness,
Synthesis by receiver.
3. What is the purpose of a surgical time-out?
Correct Answer: Mandatory verification of correct client, procedure, site (laterality marked), surgeon,
position, equipment, imaging, implants, antibiotic administration, and introduction of team members.
1. Performed immediately before incision.
2. All team members pause to confirm correct patient, site, and procedure.
3. Site marking with surgeon's initials required for surgeries involving laterality.
4. What is the role of the circulating nurse in the operating room?
Correct Answer: In room but not sterile; documents procedure; ensures team has needed supplies;
performs counts (sponges, needles, instruments) with scrub nurse; coordinates OR activities.
1. Counts performed before incision, at closure, and at skin closure.
2. Circulating nurse is patient advocate and manages environment.
3. Documents intraoperative events, irrigation, specimens, and drains.
, 5. What is the role of the scrub nurse in the operating room?
Correct Answer: Works within sterile field; passes instruments to surgeon; takes specimens during
surgery; maintains sterility of field.
1. Scrub person is sterile, remains within sterile field.
2. Anticipates surgeon's needs for efficiency.
3. Assists with draping, suturing, and handling of specimens.
6. The nurse knows components of informed consent for a surgical procedure must include (Select
all that apply):
Correct Answer: All options: A. Consent for anesthesia; B. The name of the surgery; C. Risks and
benefits of the surgery; D. Consent for blood products; E. The name of the surgeon.
1. Informed consent requires disclosure of diagnosis, procedure description, risks/benefits,
alternatives, and consequences of refusal.
2. Surgeon obtains consent; nurse witnesses signature.
3. Separate consent required for anesthesia and blood transfusion in many institutions.
7. A preoperative client is asking multiple questions about their surgery. Which is the best nursing
action?
Correct Answer: A. Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure (surgeon must
answer and obtain informed consent).
1. The nurse cannot provide primary information for informed consent.
2. If patient has unanswered questions, nurse must contact surgeon.
3. Informed consent must be voluntary and informed; patient must understand risks/benefits.
8. What is the current NPO recommendation for solid foods and clear liquids before surgery?
Correct Answer: 8 hours for solid food; 2 hours for clear liquids (to reduce aspiration risk).
1. Anesthesia depresses gag reflex, increasing aspiration risk.
2. Clear liquids include water, black coffee, tea, clear juices; no milk or pulp.
3. Chewing gum should also be avoided.
9. What is the best method for teaching an adult patient about their prescribed medications?
Correct Answer: D. to repeat back the information in their own words (teach-back method).
1. Teach-back confirms understanding and identifies gaps.
2. Asks patient: "Can you tell me in your own words what you will do when you get home?"
3. Avoid asking "Do you understand?" (yes/no response).
Disorders, & Acid-Base Balance | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 123 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Perioperative & Respiratory
Source: NSG 123 Exam #2 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What is the leading cause of preventable adverse events in healthcare?
Correct Answer: Communication failures (handoff errors, incomplete information transfer).
1. Communication breakdown is leading root cause of sentinel events per Joint Commission.
2. Standardized tools (SBAR, read-back) reduce errors.
3. Handoffs occur at shift change, transfer, and discharge.
2. When does "handoff" communication occur?
Correct Answer: Any time responsibility for a client is transferred to another person (shift change,
transfer, discharge).
1. Critical information must be communicated accurately to avoid errors.
2. Handoff includes patient status, medications, allergies, plan of care, and pending tests.
3. I-PASS mnemonic: Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness,
Synthesis by receiver.
3. What is the purpose of a surgical time-out?
Correct Answer: Mandatory verification of correct client, procedure, site (laterality marked), surgeon,
position, equipment, imaging, implants, antibiotic administration, and introduction of team members.
1. Performed immediately before incision.
2. All team members pause to confirm correct patient, site, and procedure.
3. Site marking with surgeon's initials required for surgeries involving laterality.
4. What is the role of the circulating nurse in the operating room?
Correct Answer: In room but not sterile; documents procedure; ensures team has needed supplies;
performs counts (sponges, needles, instruments) with scrub nurse; coordinates OR activities.
1. Counts performed before incision, at closure, and at skin closure.
2. Circulating nurse is patient advocate and manages environment.
3. Documents intraoperative events, irrigation, specimens, and drains.
, 5. What is the role of the scrub nurse in the operating room?
Correct Answer: Works within sterile field; passes instruments to surgeon; takes specimens during
surgery; maintains sterility of field.
1. Scrub person is sterile, remains within sterile field.
2. Anticipates surgeon's needs for efficiency.
3. Assists with draping, suturing, and handling of specimens.
6. The nurse knows components of informed consent for a surgical procedure must include (Select
all that apply):
Correct Answer: All options: A. Consent for anesthesia; B. The name of the surgery; C. Risks and
benefits of the surgery; D. Consent for blood products; E. The name of the surgeon.
1. Informed consent requires disclosure of diagnosis, procedure description, risks/benefits,
alternatives, and consequences of refusal.
2. Surgeon obtains consent; nurse witnesses signature.
3. Separate consent required for anesthesia and blood transfusion in many institutions.
7. A preoperative client is asking multiple questions about their surgery. Which is the best nursing
action?
Correct Answer: A. Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure (surgeon must
answer and obtain informed consent).
1. The nurse cannot provide primary information for informed consent.
2. If patient has unanswered questions, nurse must contact surgeon.
3. Informed consent must be voluntary and informed; patient must understand risks/benefits.
8. What is the current NPO recommendation for solid foods and clear liquids before surgery?
Correct Answer: 8 hours for solid food; 2 hours for clear liquids (to reduce aspiration risk).
1. Anesthesia depresses gag reflex, increasing aspiration risk.
2. Clear liquids include water, black coffee, tea, clear juices; no milk or pulp.
3. Chewing gum should also be avoided.
9. What is the best method for teaching an adult patient about their prescribed medications?
Correct Answer: D. to repeat back the information in their own words (teach-back method).
1. Teach-back confirms understanding and identifies gaps.
2. Asks patient: "Can you tell me in your own words what you will do when you get home?"
3. Avoid asking "Do you understand?" (yes/no response).
