ATI RN Targeted Medical-
Surgical Perioperative
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
Question 1
A nurse is completing a preoperative assessment for a client
scheduled for abdominal surgery. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure 138/82 mm Hg
B. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
C. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
D. Heart rate 84/min
Answer: C. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Rationale: An elevated temperature can indicate an active infection
and may require evaluation before elective surgery. The other
findings are not immediately concerning.
,Question 2
A client is scheduled for surgery and states, "I am extremely nervous
about the anesthesia." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. "You should not worry because anesthesia is very safe."
B. "Tell me more about what concerns you have."
C. "The anesthesia provider will explain everything after surgery."
D. "Most clients are nervous before surgery."
Answer: B. "Tell me more about what concerns you have."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the client to express
concerns and allows the nurse to identify specific fears that can be
addressed.
Question 3
Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain before a
client receives anesthesia?
A. Favorite foods
B. History of seasonal allergies
C. Previous reactions to anesthesia
D. Preferred method of pain management
Answer: C. Previous reactions to anesthesia
Rationale: A history of adverse or unusual reactions to anesthesia is
essential for perioperative safety and must be communicated to the
anesthesia team.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing a client's medication history before surgery.
Which medication should the nurse recognize as increasing the risk
for perioperative bleeding?
,A. Acetaminophen
B. Warfarin
C. Famotidine
D. Levothyroxine
Answer: B. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk.
The surgical team must evaluate coagulation status and determine
appropriate management before surgery.
Question 5
A client who takes warfarin is scheduled for elective surgery. Which
laboratory test should the nurse expect to review?
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. Amylase
D. Serum calcium
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and helps determine bleeding
risk.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which statement indicates
that the client understands the purpose of preoperative coughing
and deep-breathing exercises?
A. "They will prevent my incision from opening."
B. "They will help prevent respiratory complications."
, C. "They will prevent postoperative nausea."
D. "They will decrease the need for antibiotics."
Answer: B. "They will help prevent respiratory complications."
Rationale: Coughing, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry
promote lung expansion and help reduce the risk of atelectasis and
pneumonia.
Question 7
Which instruction should the nurse provide about incentive
spirometer use after surgery?
A. "Use it once every 8 hours."
B. "Take rapid, shallow breaths through it."
C. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
D. "Exhale forcefully into the device."
Answer: C. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation through the incentive
spirometer promotes maximal lung expansion.
Question 8
A client asks why food and fluids are restricted before surgery. Which
response should the nurse provide?
A. "It prevents postoperative constipation."
B. "It decreases the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It prevents fluid retention."
D. "It reduces postoperative pain."
Answer: B. "It decreases the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
Surgical Perioperative
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
Question 1
A nurse is completing a preoperative assessment for a client
scheduled for abdominal surgery. Which finding should the nurse
report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure 138/82 mm Hg
B. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
C. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
D. Heart rate 84/min
Answer: C. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Rationale: An elevated temperature can indicate an active infection
and may require evaluation before elective surgery. The other
findings are not immediately concerning.
,Question 2
A client is scheduled for surgery and states, "I am extremely nervous
about the anesthesia." Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. "You should not worry because anesthesia is very safe."
B. "Tell me more about what concerns you have."
C. "The anesthesia provider will explain everything after surgery."
D. "Most clients are nervous before surgery."
Answer: B. "Tell me more about what concerns you have."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the client to express
concerns and allows the nurse to identify specific fears that can be
addressed.
Question 3
Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain before a
client receives anesthesia?
A. Favorite foods
B. History of seasonal allergies
C. Previous reactions to anesthesia
D. Preferred method of pain management
Answer: C. Previous reactions to anesthesia
Rationale: A history of adverse or unusual reactions to anesthesia is
essential for perioperative safety and must be communicated to the
anesthesia team.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing a client's medication history before surgery.
Which medication should the nurse recognize as increasing the risk
for perioperative bleeding?
,A. Acetaminophen
B. Warfarin
C. Famotidine
D. Levothyroxine
Answer: B. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk.
The surgical team must evaluate coagulation status and determine
appropriate management before surgery.
Question 5
A client who takes warfarin is scheduled for elective surgery. Which
laboratory test should the nurse expect to review?
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. Amylase
D. Serum calcium
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The international normalized ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and helps determine bleeding
risk.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which statement indicates
that the client understands the purpose of preoperative coughing
and deep-breathing exercises?
A. "They will prevent my incision from opening."
B. "They will help prevent respiratory complications."
, C. "They will prevent postoperative nausea."
D. "They will decrease the need for antibiotics."
Answer: B. "They will help prevent respiratory complications."
Rationale: Coughing, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry
promote lung expansion and help reduce the risk of atelectasis and
pneumonia.
Question 7
Which instruction should the nurse provide about incentive
spirometer use after surgery?
A. "Use it once every 8 hours."
B. "Take rapid, shallow breaths through it."
C. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
D. "Exhale forcefully into the device."
Answer: C. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation through the incentive
spirometer promotes maximal lung expansion.
Question 8
A client asks why food and fluids are restricted before surgery. Which
response should the nurse provide?
A. "It prevents postoperative constipation."
B. "It decreases the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It prevents fluid retention."
D. "It reduces postoperative pain."
Answer: B. "It decreases the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
