NURS 330 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE | NURS 330 FINAL EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX REVIEW 2026/2027
SATA: Obesity places patients at an increased surgical risk because of which of the following factors?
A. Risk for bleeding is increased.
B. Ventilatory capacity is reduced.
C. Fatty tissue has a poor blood supply.
D. Metabolic demands are increased.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Ventilatory capacity is reduced.
Fatty tissue has a poor blood supply.
The primary reason that family members should be included when the nurse teaches the patient
preoperative exercises is so they can:
A. Coach and encourage the patient after surgery.
B. Demonstrate to the patient at home.
C. Relieve the nurse by getting the patient to do the exercises every 2 hours.
D. Practice with the patient while he or she is waiting to be taken to the operating room.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Coach and encourage the patient after surgery.
In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) the nurse notes that the patient is having difficulty breathing and
suspects an upper airway obstruction. The nurse would first:
A. Suction the pharynx and bronchial tree.
B. Give oxygen through a mask at 4 L/min.
C. Ask the patient to use an incentive spirometer.
D. Position the patient on one side with the face down and the neck slightly extended so the tongue falls
forward.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Position the patient on one side with the face down and the neck slightly
extended so the tongue falls forward.
Because an older adult is at increased risk for respiratory complications after surgery, the nurse should:
A. Withhold pain medications and ambulate the patient every 2 hours.
B. Monitor fluid and electrolyte status every shift and vital signs with temperature every 4 hours.
C. Orient the patient to the surrounding environment frequently and ambulate the patient every 2 hours.
D. Encourage the patient to turn, deep breathe, and cough frequently and ensure adequate pain control.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Encourage the patient to turn, deep breathe, and cough frequently and
ensure adequate pain control.
,SATA: You are caring for a patient after surgery who underwent a liver resection. His prothrombin time
(PT) or an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is greater than normal. He has low blood
pressure; tachycardia; thready pulse; and cool, clammy, pale skin, and he is restless. You assess his
surgical wound, and the dressing is saturated with blood. Which immediate interventions should you
perform?
A. Notify the surgeon.
B. Maintain intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and prepare to give volume replacement.
C. Monitor the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes or more frequently until his condition stabilizes.
D. Wean oxygen therapy.
E. Provide comfort through bathing.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Notify the surgeon.
Maintain intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and prepare to give volume replacement.
Monitor the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes or more frequently until his condition stabilizes.
You are a nurse in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and you note that your patient has a heart rate of
130 beats/min and a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min; you also assess jaw muscle rigidity and rigidity
of limbs, abdomen, and chest. What do you suspect, and which intervention is indicated?
A. Infection: Notify surgeon and anticipate administration of antibiotics.
B. Pneumonia: Listen to breath sounds, notify surgeon, and anticipate order for chest radiography.
C. Hypertension: Check blood pressure, notify surgeon, and anticipate administration of
antihypertensives.
D. Malignant hyperthermia: Notify surgeon/anesthesia provider immediately, prepare to administer
dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), and monitor vital signs frequently.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Malignant hyperthermia: Notify surgeon/anesthesia provider immediately,
prepare to administer dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), and monitor vital signs frequently.
After a surgical patient has been given preoperative sedatives, which safety precaution should a nurse
take?
A. Reinforce to the patient to remain in bed or on the stretcher
B. Raise the side rails and keep the bed or stretcher in the high position
C. Determine if the patient has any allergies to latex
D. Obtain informed consent immediately after sedative administration
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Reinforce to the patient to remain in bed or on the stretcher
SATA: The operating room (OR) and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) are high-risk environments for
patients with a latex allergy. Which safety measures to prevent a latex reaction should the nurse
implement?
,A. Screening patients about food allergies known to have a cross-reactivity to latex such as kiwis and
bananas
B. Having a latex allergy cart available at all times
C. Communicating with the operating room (OR) team as soon as 24 to 48 hours in advance of the
surgery when a latex-sensitive patient is identified
D. Scheduling the latex-sensitive patient for the last operative case of the day
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Screening patients about food allergies known to have a cross-reactivity to
latex such as kiwis and bananas
Having a latex allergy cart available at all times
Communicating with the operating room (OR) team as soon as 24 to 48 hours in advance of the surgery
when a latex-sensitive patient is identified
A nurse is recovering a patient who received conscious sedation for cosmetic surgery. Which of the
following is an advantage that conscious sedation has over general anesthesia?
A. Loss of sensation at the surgical site
B. Reduction of fear and anxiety and need for assistance with airway patency and ventilation
C. Amnesia and relief of pain
D. Monitoring in phase I recovery
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Amnesia and relief of pain
You have been given the following postoperative patients to care for on your shift. Based on the
information provided, which patient should you see first?
A. A 75-year-old following hip replacement surgery who is complaining of moderate pain in the surgical
site, with a heart rate of 92
B. A 57-year-old following hip replacement 6 hours earlier who is receiving intravenous patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA) with a history of OSA. The pulse oximeter has been alarming and reading 85%
C. A 36-year-old following bladder neck suspension who is 30 minutes late to receive her postoperative
dose of antibiotic
D. A 48-year-old following total knee replacement who needs help repositioning in bed
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔A 57-year-old following hip replacement 6 hours earlier who is receiving
intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with a history of OSA. The pulse oximeter has been
alarming and reading 85%
SATA: Hand-off communications that occur between the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse and the
nurse on the postoperative nursing unit should be done when a patient returns to the nursing unit.
Select appropriate components of a safe and effective hand-off.
A. Vital signs, the type of anesthesia provided, blood loss, and level of consciousness
B. Uninterrupted time to review the recent pertinent events and ask questions
C. Verification of the patient using one identifier and the type of surgery performed
D. Review of pertinent events occurring in the operating room
, E. (OR) while at the nurses' station
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Vital signs, the type of anesthesia provided, blood loss, and level of
consciousness
Uninterrupted time to review the recent pertinent events and ask questions
A nurse is working in the preoperative holding area and is assigned to care for a patient who is having a
prosthetic aortic valve placed. The nurse inserts an intravenous (IV) line and obtains vital signs. The
patient has a temperature of 39°C (102°F), heart rate of 120, blood pressure (BP) of 84/50, and an
elevated white blood cell (WBC) count. The nurse immediately notifies the surgeon of the patient's vital
signs because:
A. They need to get the patient into the operating room (OR) quickly to start the surgery because of the
low blood pressure.
B. The surgery may need to be delayed to check the patient's WBC count and investigate the source of
fever before surgery.
C. The nurse anticipates the need for a fluid bolus to increase the patient's BP.
D. The nurse anticipates an order for a sedative to help calm the patient and decrease the heart rate.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔The surgery may need to be delayed to check the patient's WBC count and
investigate the source of fever before surgery.
A nurse is working in an ambulatory care setting and is ready to discharge a patient who is wheelchair
dependent. The patient underwent dilation of an esophageal stricture. Her postanesthesia recovery
score for ambulatory patients (PARSAP) score is 16. Her family is ready to go and eager to make the long
road trip home. In determining if it is safe for the patient to be discharged at this time, the nurse should
decide the following:
A. The PARSAP score must be 18 or higher before being discharged.
B. The patient's family is capable to care for her, and she understands her discharge instructions; thus
the nurse proceeds with discharge.
C. Since the patient hasn't been drinking much, the nurse is not concerned that she is unable to void and
proceeds with discharge.
D. Since the patient was admitted to the surgical center in a wheelchair, she can be discharged with a
lower PARSAP score.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Since the patient was admitted to the surgical center in a wheelchair, she
can be discharged with a lower PARSAP score.
SATA: A patient is admitted through the emergency department for multisystem trauma following a
motorcycle crash with multiple orthopedic injuries. He goes to surgery for repair of fractures. He is
postoperative day 3 from an open reduction internal fixation of bilateral femur fractures and external
fixator to his unstable pelvic fracture. Interventions that are necessary for prevention of venous
thromboembolism in this high-risk postsurgical patient include:
A. Intermittent pneumatic compression stockings.
B. Vitamin K therapy.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX REVIEW 2026/2027
SATA: Obesity places patients at an increased surgical risk because of which of the following factors?
A. Risk for bleeding is increased.
B. Ventilatory capacity is reduced.
C. Fatty tissue has a poor blood supply.
D. Metabolic demands are increased.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Ventilatory capacity is reduced.
Fatty tissue has a poor blood supply.
The primary reason that family members should be included when the nurse teaches the patient
preoperative exercises is so they can:
A. Coach and encourage the patient after surgery.
B. Demonstrate to the patient at home.
C. Relieve the nurse by getting the patient to do the exercises every 2 hours.
D. Practice with the patient while he or she is waiting to be taken to the operating room.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Coach and encourage the patient after surgery.
In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) the nurse notes that the patient is having difficulty breathing and
suspects an upper airway obstruction. The nurse would first:
A. Suction the pharynx and bronchial tree.
B. Give oxygen through a mask at 4 L/min.
C. Ask the patient to use an incentive spirometer.
D. Position the patient on one side with the face down and the neck slightly extended so the tongue falls
forward.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Position the patient on one side with the face down and the neck slightly
extended so the tongue falls forward.
Because an older adult is at increased risk for respiratory complications after surgery, the nurse should:
A. Withhold pain medications and ambulate the patient every 2 hours.
B. Monitor fluid and electrolyte status every shift and vital signs with temperature every 4 hours.
C. Orient the patient to the surrounding environment frequently and ambulate the patient every 2 hours.
D. Encourage the patient to turn, deep breathe, and cough frequently and ensure adequate pain control.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Encourage the patient to turn, deep breathe, and cough frequently and
ensure adequate pain control.
,SATA: You are caring for a patient after surgery who underwent a liver resection. His prothrombin time
(PT) or an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is greater than normal. He has low blood
pressure; tachycardia; thready pulse; and cool, clammy, pale skin, and he is restless. You assess his
surgical wound, and the dressing is saturated with blood. Which immediate interventions should you
perform?
A. Notify the surgeon.
B. Maintain intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and prepare to give volume replacement.
C. Monitor the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes or more frequently until his condition stabilizes.
D. Wean oxygen therapy.
E. Provide comfort through bathing.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Notify the surgeon.
Maintain intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and prepare to give volume replacement.
Monitor the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes or more frequently until his condition stabilizes.
You are a nurse in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and you note that your patient has a heart rate of
130 beats/min and a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min; you also assess jaw muscle rigidity and rigidity
of limbs, abdomen, and chest. What do you suspect, and which intervention is indicated?
A. Infection: Notify surgeon and anticipate administration of antibiotics.
B. Pneumonia: Listen to breath sounds, notify surgeon, and anticipate order for chest radiography.
C. Hypertension: Check blood pressure, notify surgeon, and anticipate administration of
antihypertensives.
D. Malignant hyperthermia: Notify surgeon/anesthesia provider immediately, prepare to administer
dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), and monitor vital signs frequently.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Malignant hyperthermia: Notify surgeon/anesthesia provider immediately,
prepare to administer dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), and monitor vital signs frequently.
After a surgical patient has been given preoperative sedatives, which safety precaution should a nurse
take?
A. Reinforce to the patient to remain in bed or on the stretcher
B. Raise the side rails and keep the bed or stretcher in the high position
C. Determine if the patient has any allergies to latex
D. Obtain informed consent immediately after sedative administration
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Reinforce to the patient to remain in bed or on the stretcher
SATA: The operating room (OR) and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) are high-risk environments for
patients with a latex allergy. Which safety measures to prevent a latex reaction should the nurse
implement?
,A. Screening patients about food allergies known to have a cross-reactivity to latex such as kiwis and
bananas
B. Having a latex allergy cart available at all times
C. Communicating with the operating room (OR) team as soon as 24 to 48 hours in advance of the
surgery when a latex-sensitive patient is identified
D. Scheduling the latex-sensitive patient for the last operative case of the day
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Screening patients about food allergies known to have a cross-reactivity to
latex such as kiwis and bananas
Having a latex allergy cart available at all times
Communicating with the operating room (OR) team as soon as 24 to 48 hours in advance of the surgery
when a latex-sensitive patient is identified
A nurse is recovering a patient who received conscious sedation for cosmetic surgery. Which of the
following is an advantage that conscious sedation has over general anesthesia?
A. Loss of sensation at the surgical site
B. Reduction of fear and anxiety and need for assistance with airway patency and ventilation
C. Amnesia and relief of pain
D. Monitoring in phase I recovery
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Amnesia and relief of pain
You have been given the following postoperative patients to care for on your shift. Based on the
information provided, which patient should you see first?
A. A 75-year-old following hip replacement surgery who is complaining of moderate pain in the surgical
site, with a heart rate of 92
B. A 57-year-old following hip replacement 6 hours earlier who is receiving intravenous patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA) with a history of OSA. The pulse oximeter has been alarming and reading 85%
C. A 36-year-old following bladder neck suspension who is 30 minutes late to receive her postoperative
dose of antibiotic
D. A 48-year-old following total knee replacement who needs help repositioning in bed
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔A 57-year-old following hip replacement 6 hours earlier who is receiving
intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with a history of OSA. The pulse oximeter has been
alarming and reading 85%
SATA: Hand-off communications that occur between the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse and the
nurse on the postoperative nursing unit should be done when a patient returns to the nursing unit.
Select appropriate components of a safe and effective hand-off.
A. Vital signs, the type of anesthesia provided, blood loss, and level of consciousness
B. Uninterrupted time to review the recent pertinent events and ask questions
C. Verification of the patient using one identifier and the type of surgery performed
D. Review of pertinent events occurring in the operating room
, E. (OR) while at the nurses' station
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Vital signs, the type of anesthesia provided, blood loss, and level of
consciousness
Uninterrupted time to review the recent pertinent events and ask questions
A nurse is working in the preoperative holding area and is assigned to care for a patient who is having a
prosthetic aortic valve placed. The nurse inserts an intravenous (IV) line and obtains vital signs. The
patient has a temperature of 39°C (102°F), heart rate of 120, blood pressure (BP) of 84/50, and an
elevated white blood cell (WBC) count. The nurse immediately notifies the surgeon of the patient's vital
signs because:
A. They need to get the patient into the operating room (OR) quickly to start the surgery because of the
low blood pressure.
B. The surgery may need to be delayed to check the patient's WBC count and investigate the source of
fever before surgery.
C. The nurse anticipates the need for a fluid bolus to increase the patient's BP.
D. The nurse anticipates an order for a sedative to help calm the patient and decrease the heart rate.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔The surgery may need to be delayed to check the patient's WBC count and
investigate the source of fever before surgery.
A nurse is working in an ambulatory care setting and is ready to discharge a patient who is wheelchair
dependent. The patient underwent dilation of an esophageal stricture. Her postanesthesia recovery
score for ambulatory patients (PARSAP) score is 16. Her family is ready to go and eager to make the long
road trip home. In determining if it is safe for the patient to be discharged at this time, the nurse should
decide the following:
A. The PARSAP score must be 18 or higher before being discharged.
B. The patient's family is capable to care for her, and she understands her discharge instructions; thus
the nurse proceeds with discharge.
C. Since the patient hasn't been drinking much, the nurse is not concerned that she is unable to void and
proceeds with discharge.
D. Since the patient was admitted to the surgical center in a wheelchair, she can be discharged with a
lower PARSAP score.
(Ch 50) - correct answer ✔✔Since the patient was admitted to the surgical center in a wheelchair, she
can be discharged with a lower PARSAP score.
SATA: A patient is admitted through the emergency department for multisystem trauma following a
motorcycle crash with multiple orthopedic injuries. He goes to surgery for repair of fractures. He is
postoperative day 3 from an open reduction internal fixation of bilateral femur fractures and external
fixator to his unstable pelvic fracture. Interventions that are necessary for prevention of venous
thromboembolism in this high-risk postsurgical patient include:
A. Intermittent pneumatic compression stockings.
B. Vitamin K therapy.
