NURS 120 EXAM 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027 | WEST COAST UNIVERSITY |
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | HIGH-YIELD NURSING QUESTIONS
| VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| COMPLETE EXAM PREP | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. A 75-year-old patient on anticoagulants is scheduled for a minor surgical
procedure. What should the nursing staff prioritize in their preoperative
assessment?
Assessing the patient's pain levels before surgery.
Confirming the patient's dietary preferences for postoperative meals.
Reviewing the patient's anticoagulant medication regimen and
potential need for temporary cessation.
Ensuring the patient has received all vaccinations.
2. A patient has just undergone throat surgery and has a nasogastric tube
placed. If the nurse suspects the tube may be incorrectly positioned, what
should the nurse do next?
Administer a feeding through the tube to assess tolerance.
Measure the gastric aspirate pH to confirm placement.
Auscultate for bowel sounds to check for proper placement.
Obtain an order for a radiographic examination of the tube.
3. The nurse is completing an assessment of a patient receiving continuous
gastric feedings.
Which assessment finding would indicate the need to stop the feeding?
The patient reports that they are feeling a bit queasy but are not really
nauseated.
No bowel sounds are present upon auscultation.
Gastric residuals have slowly been increasing with a current residual
of 150 mL.
, The patient has vomited small amounts of the tube feeding twice in
the last 15 minutes.
4. Why is increasing venous return important for a postoperative patient?
Increasing venous return enhances respiratory function.
Increasing venous return ensures proper wound healing.
Increasing venous return helps prevent blood clots and promotes
circulation.
Increasing venous return reduces the need for pain medication.
5. What condition is indicated by increased wound drainage, restlessness,
decreasing blood pressure, and increased pulse rate in a PACU patient?
Thrombophlebitis
Hemorrhage
Atelectasis
Infection
6. If a nurse notices that a patient's endotracheal tube has changed depth
during a routine check, what should the nurse prioritize after adjusting the
tube?
Document the change in the patient's chart.
Administer sedatives to the patient.
Reassess the patient's respiratory status.
Notify the family about the adjustment.
,7. What is the primary method used to measure a patient's oxygen saturation in
a clinical setting?
Diffusion capacity
Thoracentesis
Pulse oximetry
Maximal respiratory pressure
8. If a patient expresses anxiety about surgery, what approach should the nurse
take to effectively communicate and support the patient?
Suggest that the patient should not worry about the surgery.
Tell the patient that surgery is always successful.
Engage the patient in a conversation about their concerns and
provide reassurance.
Encourage the patient to focus on their recovery.
9. Why is it important for a nurse to obtain a radiographic examination after
placing a nasogastric tube?
To check for bowel sounds indicating gastrointestinal activity.
To ensure the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in
the lungs.
To assess the pH of gastric contents for nutritional adequacy.
To measure the residual volume for feeding tolerance.
10. A nurse performing a nutritional assessment determines BMI of a 5-foot 11-
inch male patient who weighs 180 pounds. What would be the BMI for this
patient?
, 25.1
18.5
28.2
20.3
11. Why is it important for a nurse to check the amount of oxygen in a portable
cylinder before use?
To verify the cylinder's color coding for safety
To determine the weight of the cylinder for transport
To ensure that there is enough oxygen available for the patient's
needs during treatment
To check for any visible damage on the cylinder
12. A patient who is being prepared for surgery says to the nurse, 'I am so
worried about the surgery.' Which of the following responses is the most
therapeutic?
You have nothing to worry about; people have this procedure done
all the time.
Surgery can be worrisome for many people. Can you tell me more
about what is bothering you?
The evidence supports that the open-reception internal fixation is
very low risk.
Your surgeon, Dr. Cutter, is excellent and really knows what he is
doing.
13. What is one of the primary benefits of performing leg exercises after
surgery?
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | HIGH-YIELD NURSING QUESTIONS
| VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| COMPLETE EXAM PREP | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. A 75-year-old patient on anticoagulants is scheduled for a minor surgical
procedure. What should the nursing staff prioritize in their preoperative
assessment?
Assessing the patient's pain levels before surgery.
Confirming the patient's dietary preferences for postoperative meals.
Reviewing the patient's anticoagulant medication regimen and
potential need for temporary cessation.
Ensuring the patient has received all vaccinations.
2. A patient has just undergone throat surgery and has a nasogastric tube
placed. If the nurse suspects the tube may be incorrectly positioned, what
should the nurse do next?
Administer a feeding through the tube to assess tolerance.
Measure the gastric aspirate pH to confirm placement.
Auscultate for bowel sounds to check for proper placement.
Obtain an order for a radiographic examination of the tube.
3. The nurse is completing an assessment of a patient receiving continuous
gastric feedings.
Which assessment finding would indicate the need to stop the feeding?
The patient reports that they are feeling a bit queasy but are not really
nauseated.
No bowel sounds are present upon auscultation.
Gastric residuals have slowly been increasing with a current residual
of 150 mL.
, The patient has vomited small amounts of the tube feeding twice in
the last 15 minutes.
4. Why is increasing venous return important for a postoperative patient?
Increasing venous return enhances respiratory function.
Increasing venous return ensures proper wound healing.
Increasing venous return helps prevent blood clots and promotes
circulation.
Increasing venous return reduces the need for pain medication.
5. What condition is indicated by increased wound drainage, restlessness,
decreasing blood pressure, and increased pulse rate in a PACU patient?
Thrombophlebitis
Hemorrhage
Atelectasis
Infection
6. If a nurse notices that a patient's endotracheal tube has changed depth
during a routine check, what should the nurse prioritize after adjusting the
tube?
Document the change in the patient's chart.
Administer sedatives to the patient.
Reassess the patient's respiratory status.
Notify the family about the adjustment.
,7. What is the primary method used to measure a patient's oxygen saturation in
a clinical setting?
Diffusion capacity
Thoracentesis
Pulse oximetry
Maximal respiratory pressure
8. If a patient expresses anxiety about surgery, what approach should the nurse
take to effectively communicate and support the patient?
Suggest that the patient should not worry about the surgery.
Tell the patient that surgery is always successful.
Engage the patient in a conversation about their concerns and
provide reassurance.
Encourage the patient to focus on their recovery.
9. Why is it important for a nurse to obtain a radiographic examination after
placing a nasogastric tube?
To check for bowel sounds indicating gastrointestinal activity.
To ensure the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in
the lungs.
To assess the pH of gastric contents for nutritional adequacy.
To measure the residual volume for feeding tolerance.
10. A nurse performing a nutritional assessment determines BMI of a 5-foot 11-
inch male patient who weighs 180 pounds. What would be the BMI for this
patient?
, 25.1
18.5
28.2
20.3
11. Why is it important for a nurse to check the amount of oxygen in a portable
cylinder before use?
To verify the cylinder's color coding for safety
To determine the weight of the cylinder for transport
To ensure that there is enough oxygen available for the patient's
needs during treatment
To check for any visible damage on the cylinder
12. A patient who is being prepared for surgery says to the nurse, 'I am so
worried about the surgery.' Which of the following responses is the most
therapeutic?
You have nothing to worry about; people have this procedure done
all the time.
Surgery can be worrisome for many people. Can you tell me more
about what is bothering you?
The evidence supports that the open-reception internal fixation is
very low risk.
Your surgeon, Dr. Cutter, is excellent and really knows what he is
doing.
13. What is one of the primary benefits of performing leg exercises after
surgery?
