NU NUR 340 Module 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing Care of Adults and
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The nurse understands that the
perioperative period is best defined as which of the following?
A) The period from the decision for surgery until the patient is transferred to
the operating room
B) The period from the patient's admission to the post-anesthesia care unit
until discharge
C) The entire surgical experience, from the decision for surgery until the
patient is discharged from the surgical facility
D) The period from the induction of anesthesia until the completion of the
surgical procedure
Correct Answer: The entire surgical experience, from the decision for surgery
until the patient is discharged from the surgical facility
Rationale: The perioperative period encompasses the entire surgical
experience, including the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative
phases, from the decision to proceed with surgery until the patient is
discharged from the surgical facility. The other options describe only specific
phases.
2. A nurse is explaining the three phases of perioperative nursing to a group
of nursing students. Which of the following correctly identifies these phases
in chronological order?
A) Postoperative, Preoperative, Intraoperative
B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
C) Intraoperative, Preoperative, Postoperative
D) Preoperative, Postoperative, Intraoperative
Correct Answer: Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
,Rationale: The three phases of perioperative nursing occur in a specific
chronological order: the preoperative phase (decision to surgery until
transfer to the OR), the intraoperative phase (transfer to the OR until
admission to the PACU), and the postoperative phase (admission to the PACU
until discharge).
3. A patient is scheduled for an elective surgical procedure. The nurse is
reviewing the patient's chart and notes that a signed informed consent is
present. The nurse understands that the primary responsibility for obtaining
informed consent rests with which member of the healthcare team?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The patient's primary care provider
C) The surgeon performing the procedure
D) The anesthesiologist
Correct Answer: The surgeon performing the procedure
Rationale: The surgeon who will perform the procedure has the primary
responsibility and legal obligation to obtain the patient's informed consent.
The nurse's role is to witness the patient's signature and ensure the patient
understands the information.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in the immediate postoperative period.
Which of the following assessments is the highest priority during this phase?
A) Pain level on a 0-10 scale
B) Patency of the airway and adequacy of breathing
C) The patient's level of consciousness
D) The integrity of the surgical dressing
,Correct Answer: Patency of the airway and adequacy of breathing
Rationale: Airway maintenance and adequate breathing are the highest
priorities in the immediate postoperative period (PACU) to prevent hypoxia
and respiratory complications. While pain, consciousness, and wound
integrity are important, they are secondary to ensuring a patent airway.
5. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following
preoperative nursing actions is most critical to prevent a sentinel event, such
as wrong-site surgery?
A) Administering preoperative antibiotics
B) Ensuring the patient has a signed consent form
C) Participating in the "time-out" procedure to verify the correct patient, site,
and procedure
D) Reviewing the patient's laboratory results
Correct Answer: Participating in the "time-out" procedure to verify the correct
patient, site, and procedure
Rationale: The "time-out" is a critical safety measure performed immediately
before the procedure to verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct
procedure. This is a key strategy to prevent sentinel events like wrong-site
surgery.
6. A patient asks the nurse why they are not allowed to eat or drink anything
before surgery. The nurse explains that the primary reason for NPO (nothing
by mouth) status is to:
A) Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
B) Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
C) Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D) Ensure the patient's stomach is empty for the surgical procedure
, Correct Answer: Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status is to reduce the risk of
aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during the induction of and
emergence from anesthesia. This is a major safety precaution.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's preoperative laboratory values. Which of
the following values is a normal finding?
A) Sodium 130 mEq/L
B) Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C) Glucose 110 mg/dL
D) Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Rationale: Normal hemoglobin for an adult male is approximately 14-18 g/dL
and for an adult female is 12-16 g/dL. The other values are abnormal: sodium
is low (normal 136-145), potassium is elevated (normal 3.5-5.0), and glucose
is elevated (normal 70-100).
8. A nurse is providing preoperative education to a patient. Which of the
following instructions is most important for the nurse to include regarding
deep breathing and coughing exercises?
A) "Perform these exercises only after you are fully awake from anesthesia."
B) "These exercises help prevent postoperative pneumonia and atelectasis."
C) "Perform these exercises once a day to prevent complications."
D) "These exercises are only necessary if you have a history of lung disease."
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The nurse understands that the
perioperative period is best defined as which of the following?
A) The period from the decision for surgery until the patient is transferred to
the operating room
B) The period from the patient's admission to the post-anesthesia care unit
until discharge
C) The entire surgical experience, from the decision for surgery until the
patient is discharged from the surgical facility
D) The period from the induction of anesthesia until the completion of the
surgical procedure
Correct Answer: The entire surgical experience, from the decision for surgery
until the patient is discharged from the surgical facility
Rationale: The perioperative period encompasses the entire surgical
experience, including the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative
phases, from the decision to proceed with surgery until the patient is
discharged from the surgical facility. The other options describe only specific
phases.
2. A nurse is explaining the three phases of perioperative nursing to a group
of nursing students. Which of the following correctly identifies these phases
in chronological order?
A) Postoperative, Preoperative, Intraoperative
B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
C) Intraoperative, Preoperative, Postoperative
D) Preoperative, Postoperative, Intraoperative
Correct Answer: Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
,Rationale: The three phases of perioperative nursing occur in a specific
chronological order: the preoperative phase (decision to surgery until
transfer to the OR), the intraoperative phase (transfer to the OR until
admission to the PACU), and the postoperative phase (admission to the PACU
until discharge).
3. A patient is scheduled for an elective surgical procedure. The nurse is
reviewing the patient's chart and notes that a signed informed consent is
present. The nurse understands that the primary responsibility for obtaining
informed consent rests with which member of the healthcare team?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The patient's primary care provider
C) The surgeon performing the procedure
D) The anesthesiologist
Correct Answer: The surgeon performing the procedure
Rationale: The surgeon who will perform the procedure has the primary
responsibility and legal obligation to obtain the patient's informed consent.
The nurse's role is to witness the patient's signature and ensure the patient
understands the information.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in the immediate postoperative period.
Which of the following assessments is the highest priority during this phase?
A) Pain level on a 0-10 scale
B) Patency of the airway and adequacy of breathing
C) The patient's level of consciousness
D) The integrity of the surgical dressing
,Correct Answer: Patency of the airway and adequacy of breathing
Rationale: Airway maintenance and adequate breathing are the highest
priorities in the immediate postoperative period (PACU) to prevent hypoxia
and respiratory complications. While pain, consciousness, and wound
integrity are important, they are secondary to ensuring a patent airway.
5. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following
preoperative nursing actions is most critical to prevent a sentinel event, such
as wrong-site surgery?
A) Administering preoperative antibiotics
B) Ensuring the patient has a signed consent form
C) Participating in the "time-out" procedure to verify the correct patient, site,
and procedure
D) Reviewing the patient's laboratory results
Correct Answer: Participating in the "time-out" procedure to verify the correct
patient, site, and procedure
Rationale: The "time-out" is a critical safety measure performed immediately
before the procedure to verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct
procedure. This is a key strategy to prevent sentinel events like wrong-site
surgery.
6. A patient asks the nurse why they are not allowed to eat or drink anything
before surgery. The nurse explains that the primary reason for NPO (nothing
by mouth) status is to:
A) Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
B) Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
C) Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D) Ensure the patient's stomach is empty for the surgical procedure
, Correct Answer: Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status is to reduce the risk of
aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during the induction of and
emergence from anesthesia. This is a major safety precaution.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's preoperative laboratory values. Which of
the following values is a normal finding?
A) Sodium 130 mEq/L
B) Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C) Glucose 110 mg/dL
D) Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Rationale: Normal hemoglobin for an adult male is approximately 14-18 g/dL
and for an adult female is 12-16 g/dL. The other values are abnormal: sodium
is low (normal 136-145), potassium is elevated (normal 3.5-5.0), and glucose
is elevated (normal 70-100).
8. A nurse is providing preoperative education to a patient. Which of the
following instructions is most important for the nurse to include regarding
deep breathing and coughing exercises?
A) "Perform these exercises only after you are fully awake from anesthesia."
B) "These exercises help prevent postoperative pneumonia and atelectasis."
C) "Perform these exercises once a day to prevent complications."
D) "These exercises are only necessary if you have a history of lung disease."
