Page 1 of 43
NUR 242 EXAM 1 PRACTICE EXAM GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING — MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare for the NUR 242 Exam 1 – Med-Surg Nursing – Galen College with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce essential medical-surgical nursing concepts. It
supports review of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, oxygen therapy,
tracheostomy and chest-tube care, diabetes management, and priority nursing
interventions. Use the material to strengthen clinical reasoning, improve recall, and
identify areas that may need additional review before the exam. This resource is best
suited for Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 students preparing for Exam 3 in Medical-
Surgical Nursing.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following is a priority
preoperative assessment?
• A) Vital signs
• B) Allergies and medication history
• C) Height and weight
• D) Educational level
Answer: B) Allergies and medication history
Rationale: Allergies and medication history are critical to prevent adverse
reactions during surgery. Anesthesia and surgical teams must be aware of
allergies to latex, medications, or other substances to avoid life-
threatening reactions.
, Page 2 of 43
2. A patient is NPO for 8 hours before surgery. The patient asks why they
cannot have food or water. What is the best response by the nurse?
• A) "You might vomit during surgery and aspirate into your lungs"
• B) "You will not be hungry during the surgery"
• C) "It helps you lose weight before the procedure"
• D) "We want to keep your stomach empty for the procedure"
Answer: A) "You might vomit during surgery and aspirate into your lungs"
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status before surgery is to reduce
the risk of aspiration during anesthesia induction. Aspiration of gastric
contents can cause serious pulmonary complications.
3. A patient is in the recovery room after surgery. Which of the following
should the nurse assess FIRST?
• A) Pain level
• B) Surgical site
• C) Airway and breathing
• D) Fluid status
Answer: C) Airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are always the highest priority in the
immediate postoperative period. The patient's airway should be assessed
first to ensure it is patent and breathing is adequate before focusing on
other assessments.
4. A patient who has had surgery is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
• A) Encourage early ambulation
• B) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
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• C) Administer prophylactic anticoagulants
• D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: DVT prevention includes early ambulation, SCDs, prophylactic
anticoagulants, and leg exercises. All of these interventions reduce the
risk of venous stasis and thrombosis.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient 24 hours after abdominal surgery.
Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
• A) Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
• B) Heart rate of 88 bpm
• C) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min
• D) Wound drainage with purulent odor
Answer: D) Wound drainage with purulent odor
Rationale: Purulent wound drainage indicates infection and should be
reported to the provider immediately. Mild temperature elevation,
tachycardia, and tachypnea may be expected postoperatively but should
still be monitored.
6. Which of the following is a sign of a surgical site infection (SSI)?
• A) Increased pain and redness
• B) Serosanguineous drainage
• C) Wound edges well-approximated
• D) Decreased temperature
Answer: A) Increased pain and redness
Rationale: Signs of SSI include increased pain, redness, warmth, swelling,
purulent drainage, and fever. Serosanguineous drainage and well-
approximated edges are expected findings in a healing wound.
, Page 4 of 43
7. A patient is to receive an IV antibiotic preoperatively. Which action
should the nurse take prior to administration?
• A) Flush the IV line with heparin
• B) Verify the patient's allergies
• C) Check the patient's blood pressure
• D) Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B) Verify the patient's allergies
Rationale: Verifying allergies is essential before administering any
medication, especially antibiotics, to prevent allergic reactions. The
nurse should also check the medication order, dose, and administration
route.
8. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following
should be removed before the patient goes to the operating room?
• A) Dentures
• B) Contact lenses
• C) Jewelry
• D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Dentures, contact lenses, and jewelry should be removed
before surgery to prevent injury, loss, or complications during the
procedure. Dentures can obstruct the airway, contact lenses can scratch
the cornea, and jewelry can cause burns with electrocautery.
9. A patient is postoperative day 1 following a total hip replacement. The
patient is ordered to ambulate with a walker. Which action by the nurse is
most important?
NUR 242 EXAM 1 PRACTICE EXAM GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING — MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare for the NUR 242 Exam 1 – Med-Surg Nursing – Galen College with a focused
study resource designed to reinforce essential medical-surgical nursing concepts. It
supports review of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, oxygen therapy,
tracheostomy and chest-tube care, diabetes management, and priority nursing
interventions. Use the material to strengthen clinical reasoning, improve recall, and
identify areas that may need additional review before the exam. This resource is best
suited for Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 students preparing for Exam 3 in Medical-
Surgical Nursing.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following is a priority
preoperative assessment?
• A) Vital signs
• B) Allergies and medication history
• C) Height and weight
• D) Educational level
Answer: B) Allergies and medication history
Rationale: Allergies and medication history are critical to prevent adverse
reactions during surgery. Anesthesia and surgical teams must be aware of
allergies to latex, medications, or other substances to avoid life-
threatening reactions.
, Page 2 of 43
2. A patient is NPO for 8 hours before surgery. The patient asks why they
cannot have food or water. What is the best response by the nurse?
• A) "You might vomit during surgery and aspirate into your lungs"
• B) "You will not be hungry during the surgery"
• C) "It helps you lose weight before the procedure"
• D) "We want to keep your stomach empty for the procedure"
Answer: A) "You might vomit during surgery and aspirate into your lungs"
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status before surgery is to reduce
the risk of aspiration during anesthesia induction. Aspiration of gastric
contents can cause serious pulmonary complications.
3. A patient is in the recovery room after surgery. Which of the following
should the nurse assess FIRST?
• A) Pain level
• B) Surgical site
• C) Airway and breathing
• D) Fluid status
Answer: C) Airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are always the highest priority in the
immediate postoperative period. The patient's airway should be assessed
first to ensure it is patent and breathing is adequate before focusing on
other assessments.
4. A patient who has had surgery is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
• A) Encourage early ambulation
• B) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
, Page 3 of 43
• C) Administer prophylactic anticoagulants
• D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: DVT prevention includes early ambulation, SCDs, prophylactic
anticoagulants, and leg exercises. All of these interventions reduce the
risk of venous stasis and thrombosis.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient 24 hours after abdominal surgery.
Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
• A) Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
• B) Heart rate of 88 bpm
• C) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min
• D) Wound drainage with purulent odor
Answer: D) Wound drainage with purulent odor
Rationale: Purulent wound drainage indicates infection and should be
reported to the provider immediately. Mild temperature elevation,
tachycardia, and tachypnea may be expected postoperatively but should
still be monitored.
6. Which of the following is a sign of a surgical site infection (SSI)?
• A) Increased pain and redness
• B) Serosanguineous drainage
• C) Wound edges well-approximated
• D) Decreased temperature
Answer: A) Increased pain and redness
Rationale: Signs of SSI include increased pain, redness, warmth, swelling,
purulent drainage, and fever. Serosanguineous drainage and well-
approximated edges are expected findings in a healing wound.
, Page 4 of 43
7. A patient is to receive an IV antibiotic preoperatively. Which action
should the nurse take prior to administration?
• A) Flush the IV line with heparin
• B) Verify the patient's allergies
• C) Check the patient's blood pressure
• D) Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B) Verify the patient's allergies
Rationale: Verifying allergies is essential before administering any
medication, especially antibiotics, to prevent allergic reactions. The
nurse should also check the medication order, dose, and administration
route.
8. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following
should be removed before the patient goes to the operating room?
• A) Dentures
• B) Contact lenses
• C) Jewelry
• D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Dentures, contact lenses, and jewelry should be removed
before surgery to prevent injury, loss, or complications during the
procedure. Dentures can obstruct the airway, contact lenses can scratch
the cornea, and jewelry can cause burns with electrocautery.
9. A patient is postoperative day 1 following a total hip replacement. The
patient is ordered to ambulate with a walker. Which action by the nurse is
most important?
