1
NUR 2356 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY - EXAM 4 LATEST
2026/2027 | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | 40 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE - Questions 1-7
Q1: Preoperative Care - Informed Consent
A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks the nurse, "What are the risks of this procedure?" Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "I can explain the risks to you since I am your nurse."
B. "The surgeon will discuss the risks with you before you sign the consent."
C. "There are no risks; this is a routine procedure."
D. "You should have asked your doctor that during the office visit."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent and explaining risks, benefits,
and alternatives. The nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands but
not to provide detailed procedural information. Minimizing risks or dismissing the patient's question
is inappropriate. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Preoperative Assessment - NPO Status
A patient is scheduled for surgery at 0800. The nurse notes the patient ate breakfast at 0630. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Allow the patient to proceed with surgery since only a small meal was eaten
B. Notify the surgeon and anesthesia provider immediately
C. Document the meal and send the patient to surgery
D. Administer a medication to empty the stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NPO status is critical to prevent aspiration during surgery. Standard guidelines require
NPO for 6-8 hours for solids. Eating breakfast violates NPO protocol and increases aspiration risk.
The surgeon and anesthesia provider must be notified to determine if surgery should be postponed.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Preoperative Teaching - Deep Breathing
The nurse is teaching a patient about deep breathing exercises before surgery. Which statement
indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. "I should take shallow, rapid breaths after surgery."
B. "I will cough forcefully without splinting my incision."
C. "I will take deep breaths and hold for 3-5 seconds to expand my lungs."
D. "I only need to practice these exercises once before surgery."
, 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing exercises help prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia. The
patient should inhale deeply and hold for 3-5 seconds. Shallow breathing is not effective. Coughing
should be done with incision splinting. Practicing before surgery is important but the exercises
continue postoperatively. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Postoperative Care - PACU Assessment
A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is waking from anesthesia. What is the nurse's
priority assessment?
A. Pain level
B. Airway patency and breathing
C. Surgical site drainage
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway patency and breathing are the priority in the PACU (ABCs). Anesthesia can cause
respiratory depression, airway obstruction, and hypoxia. Pain, drainage, and temperature are
important but secondary to airway and breathing. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Postoperative Complications - Atelectasis
A postoperative patient develops a fever, crackles in the lung bases, and decreased oxygen
saturation. These findings suggest:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Atelectasis/pneumonia
C. Wound infection
D. Urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atelectasis is a common postoperative complication caused by shallow breathing and lack
of lung expansion, leading to collapse of alveoli. Signs include fever, crackles, and decreased SpO2.
Pulmonary embolism presents with sudden dyspnea and chest pain. Wound infection shows
localized redness and purulent drainage. UTI presents with urinary symptoms. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Postoperative Care - Wound Dehiscence
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly experiences a pulling sensation and
separation of the surgical incision. The nurse observes loops of bowel protruding through the
wound. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Cover the wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze
B. Apply an abdominal binder tightly over the wound
C. Push the bowel back into the abdomen
D. Place the patient in a supine position with legs flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This is evisceration (protrusion of organs). The nurse should immediately cover the
wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze to keep tissues moist and prevent drying. The patient should
NUR 2356 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY - EXAM 4 LATEST
2026/2027 | MULTIPLE-CHOICE | 40 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE - Questions 1-7
Q1: Preoperative Care - Informed Consent
A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks the nurse, "What are the risks of this procedure?" Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "I can explain the risks to you since I am your nurse."
B. "The surgeon will discuss the risks with you before you sign the consent."
C. "There are no risks; this is a routine procedure."
D. "You should have asked your doctor that during the office visit."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent and explaining risks, benefits,
and alternatives. The nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands but
not to provide detailed procedural information. Minimizing risks or dismissing the patient's question
is inappropriate. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Preoperative Assessment - NPO Status
A patient is scheduled for surgery at 0800. The nurse notes the patient ate breakfast at 0630. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Allow the patient to proceed with surgery since only a small meal was eaten
B. Notify the surgeon and anesthesia provider immediately
C. Document the meal and send the patient to surgery
D. Administer a medication to empty the stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NPO status is critical to prevent aspiration during surgery. Standard guidelines require
NPO for 6-8 hours for solids. Eating breakfast violates NPO protocol and increases aspiration risk.
The surgeon and anesthesia provider must be notified to determine if surgery should be postponed.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Preoperative Teaching - Deep Breathing
The nurse is teaching a patient about deep breathing exercises before surgery. Which statement
indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. "I should take shallow, rapid breaths after surgery."
B. "I will cough forcefully without splinting my incision."
C. "I will take deep breaths and hold for 3-5 seconds to expand my lungs."
D. "I only need to practice these exercises once before surgery."
, 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing exercises help prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia. The
patient should inhale deeply and hold for 3-5 seconds. Shallow breathing is not effective. Coughing
should be done with incision splinting. Practicing before surgery is important but the exercises
continue postoperatively. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Postoperative Care - PACU Assessment
A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is waking from anesthesia. What is the nurse's
priority assessment?
A. Pain level
B. Airway patency and breathing
C. Surgical site drainage
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway patency and breathing are the priority in the PACU (ABCs). Anesthesia can cause
respiratory depression, airway obstruction, and hypoxia. Pain, drainage, and temperature are
important but secondary to airway and breathing. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Postoperative Complications - Atelectasis
A postoperative patient develops a fever, crackles in the lung bases, and decreased oxygen
saturation. These findings suggest:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Atelectasis/pneumonia
C. Wound infection
D. Urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atelectasis is a common postoperative complication caused by shallow breathing and lack
of lung expansion, leading to collapse of alveoli. Signs include fever, crackles, and decreased SpO2.
Pulmonary embolism presents with sudden dyspnea and chest pain. Wound infection shows
localized redness and purulent drainage. UTI presents with urinary symptoms. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Postoperative Care - Wound Dehiscence
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly experiences a pulling sensation and
separation of the surgical incision. The nurse observes loops of bowel protruding through the
wound. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Cover the wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze
B. Apply an abdominal binder tightly over the wound
C. Push the bowel back into the abdomen
D. Place the patient in a supine position with legs flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This is evisceration (protrusion of organs). The nurse should immediately cover the
wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze to keep tissues moist and prevent drying. The patient should
