NUR 1300 Perioperative Care Exam with Accurate Questions & Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) and Full Deep Expert Rationales | Latest
(2026/2027) Updated Version {JUST RELEASED}
1. A circulating nurse is monitoring the temperature in a surgical
suite. The nurse should identify that cool temperatures reduce a
client's risk for which of the following potential complications of
surgery?
A) Malignant hyperthermia
B) Blood clots
C) Infection
D) Hypoxia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: A cool room temperature with humidity between 30% and
60%, along with a proper air exchange and filtering system, reduces the risk of
infection for clients during surgery. The cool environment inhibits bacterial
growth and the air handling system helps remove contaminants.
Test-Taking Tip: Cool OR temperature = infection prevention. Remember:
Cold inhibits bacterial growth.
2. A client had an open transverse colectomy 5 days ago. The nurse
enters the client's room and recognizes that the wound has
eviscerated. After covering the wound with a sterile, saline-soaked
dressing, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Go to the nurse's station to seek assistance
B) Reinsert the organs into the abdominal cavity
,C) Place the client in a reverse Trendelenburg position
D) Obtain vital signs to assess for shock
Correct Answer: D
Expert Rationale: The nurse should obtain vital signs to assess the client's
current status. Evisceration is a life-threatening emergency, and assessing for
signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia) is critical to determine the client's
hemodynamic stability.
Test-Taking Tip: Evisceration = emergency. After covering the wound, assess
vital signs for shock.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during
a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take if the client develops manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
A) Administer dantrolene
B) Institute seizure precautions
C) Remove endotracheal tube
D) Give IV atropine
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: The nurse should administer dantrolene by IV bolus at 2 to
5 mg/kg to reverse the manifestations for a client who has malignant
hyperthermia. Dantrolene is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia.
Test-Taking Tip: Malignant hyperthermia = dantrolene. Remember:
Dantrolene is the antidote.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery. Which of the following nursing interventions
, should the nurse perform to prevent respiratory complications?
A) Instruct the client to exhale into the incentive spirometer every 1-2 hr
B) Minimize the amount of pain medication the client receives to prevent
sedation
C) Advise the client to splint the surgical incision when coughing and deep
breathing
D) Reposition the client every 8 hr for the first 48 hr
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: Splinting the incision supports the surgical site and
decreases pain during coughing and deep breathing. This encourages the client to
cough effectively and prevents respiratory complications such as atelectasis and
pneumonia.
Test-Taking Tip: Postoperative respiratory prevention = splinting + coughing +
deep breathing.
5. A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is in the immediate
postoperative period and has a PCA pump. Which of the following
statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) "You will receive a dose of medication every time you push the button"
B) "Do not allow your family to push the PCA button if you are sleeping"
C) "You cannot receive too much medication by pushing the button"
D) "Do not push the PCA button until your pain reaches a severe level"
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that she should be
awake when receiving a dose of the medication and that she is the only
authorized user of the PCA pump. Allowing a family member to push the button
is unauthorized and a safety risk for the client.
Answers (Verified Answers) and Full Deep Expert Rationales | Latest
(2026/2027) Updated Version {JUST RELEASED}
1. A circulating nurse is monitoring the temperature in a surgical
suite. The nurse should identify that cool temperatures reduce a
client's risk for which of the following potential complications of
surgery?
A) Malignant hyperthermia
B) Blood clots
C) Infection
D) Hypoxia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: A cool room temperature with humidity between 30% and
60%, along with a proper air exchange and filtering system, reduces the risk of
infection for clients during surgery. The cool environment inhibits bacterial
growth and the air handling system helps remove contaminants.
Test-Taking Tip: Cool OR temperature = infection prevention. Remember:
Cold inhibits bacterial growth.
2. A client had an open transverse colectomy 5 days ago. The nurse
enters the client's room and recognizes that the wound has
eviscerated. After covering the wound with a sterile, saline-soaked
dressing, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Go to the nurse's station to seek assistance
B) Reinsert the organs into the abdominal cavity
,C) Place the client in a reverse Trendelenburg position
D) Obtain vital signs to assess for shock
Correct Answer: D
Expert Rationale: The nurse should obtain vital signs to assess the client's
current status. Evisceration is a life-threatening emergency, and assessing for
signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia) is critical to determine the client's
hemodynamic stability.
Test-Taking Tip: Evisceration = emergency. After covering the wound, assess
vital signs for shock.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during
a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take if the client develops manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
A) Administer dantrolene
B) Institute seizure precautions
C) Remove endotracheal tube
D) Give IV atropine
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: The nurse should administer dantrolene by IV bolus at 2 to
5 mg/kg to reverse the manifestations for a client who has malignant
hyperthermia. Dantrolene is the specific antidote for malignant hyperthermia.
Test-Taking Tip: Malignant hyperthermia = dantrolene. Remember:
Dantrolene is the antidote.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery. Which of the following nursing interventions
, should the nurse perform to prevent respiratory complications?
A) Instruct the client to exhale into the incentive spirometer every 1-2 hr
B) Minimize the amount of pain medication the client receives to prevent
sedation
C) Advise the client to splint the surgical incision when coughing and deep
breathing
D) Reposition the client every 8 hr for the first 48 hr
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: Splinting the incision supports the surgical site and
decreases pain during coughing and deep breathing. This encourages the client to
cough effectively and prevents respiratory complications such as atelectasis and
pneumonia.
Test-Taking Tip: Postoperative respiratory prevention = splinting + coughing +
deep breathing.
5. A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is in the immediate
postoperative period and has a PCA pump. Which of the following
statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) "You will receive a dose of medication every time you push the button"
B) "Do not allow your family to push the PCA button if you are sleeping"
C) "You cannot receive too much medication by pushing the button"
D) "Do not push the PCA button until your pain reaches a severe level"
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that she should be
awake when receiving a dose of the medication and that she is the only
authorized user of the PCA pump. Allowing a family member to push the button
is unauthorized and a safety risk for the client.
