N176 Exam 5: Comprehensive Practice Questions and Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Complete Exam Review and Study Guide
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Care
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. What is the nurse's primary responsibility regarding
informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Witnessing the patient's signature and ensuring it is voluntary
C) Determining the patient's competence
D) Obtaining consent from the family
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse's
role is to witness the patient's signature, verify that the consent is informed and voluntary, and ensure
the patient understands what is being signed.
Question 2
A patient is scheduled for surgery in the morning. Which preoperative instruction is most
important?
A) Encourage a heavy meal the night before
B) Maintain NPO status as ordered to prevent aspiration
C) Allow the patient to take all medications without review
D) Ambulate vigorously before surgery
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
NPO status prevents aspiration during anesthesia. Medication management should be reviewed with
the provider and anesthesia team, and strenuous activity before surgery is not recommended.
,Question 3
Which finding in the immediate postoperative period requires immediate intervention?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Temperature of 100.4°F
C) Dehiscence with evisceration
D) Pain rated 5/10
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Evisceration (protrusion of internal organs through a surgical wound) is a surgical emergency requiring
immediate intervention, including covering the wound with sterile saline-soaked dressings and
notifying the surgeon.
Question 4
A patient is 12 hours postoperative after abdominal surgery. Which intervention most
effectively prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Coughing and deep breathing
C) Massaging the calves
D) Early ambulation and leg exercises
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Early ambulation promotes venous return and prevents stasis, which is a key factor in DVT formation.
Massaging the calves is contraindicated if DVT is suspected.
Question 5
Which assessment finding indicates possible malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
2
,A) Bradycardia and hypothermia
B) Masseter muscle rigidity and rising end-tidal CO₂
C) Hypotension and warm, dry skin
D) Polyuria and hyperglycemia
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents, characterized by
masseter muscle rigidity, hypercarbia (rising end-tidal CO₂), tachycardia, and hyperthermia. Immediate
treatment with dantrolene is required.
Question 6
A patient is admitted to the PACU after general anesthesia. Which assessment is the priority?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency and respiratory status
C) Urine output
D) Surgical site dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Airway patency and respiratory status are the highest priorities in the immediate post-anesthesia
period because anesthetic agents can cause respiratory depression and airway obstruction.
Question 7
Which instruction should be given to a patient after cataract surgery?
A) Avoid bending and lifting
B) Rub the eye to relieve itching
C) Sleep on the operative side
D) Avoid all prescribed eye drops
3
, Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Bending and lifting increase intraocular pressure and can compromise the surgical site. Patients
should avoid rubbing the eye and follow the prescribed eye drop regimen.
Question 8
A patient with a new below-the-knee amputation should be positioned:
A) With the limb extended and elevated
B) In flexion to prevent pain
C) In Trendelenburg position
D) Prone at all times
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Extension and elevation help prevent flexion contractures and reduce edema. Proper positioning is
essential for rehabilitation.
Question 9
Which finding indicates a possible hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty?
A) Mild discomfort at the surgical site
B) Sudden severe pain and shortening of the leg
C) Warmth and redness at the incision
D) Itching around the dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Hip dislocation presents with sudden severe pain, shortening of the affected leg, and external rotation.
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Latest Update 2026/2027 | Complete Exam Review and Study Guide
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Care
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. What is the nurse's primary responsibility regarding
informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Witnessing the patient's signature and ensuring it is voluntary
C) Determining the patient's competence
D) Obtaining consent from the family
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse's
role is to witness the patient's signature, verify that the consent is informed and voluntary, and ensure
the patient understands what is being signed.
Question 2
A patient is scheduled for surgery in the morning. Which preoperative instruction is most
important?
A) Encourage a heavy meal the night before
B) Maintain NPO status as ordered to prevent aspiration
C) Allow the patient to take all medications without review
D) Ambulate vigorously before surgery
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
NPO status prevents aspiration during anesthesia. Medication management should be reviewed with
the provider and anesthesia team, and strenuous activity before surgery is not recommended.
,Question 3
Which finding in the immediate postoperative period requires immediate intervention?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Temperature of 100.4°F
C) Dehiscence with evisceration
D) Pain rated 5/10
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Evisceration (protrusion of internal organs through a surgical wound) is a surgical emergency requiring
immediate intervention, including covering the wound with sterile saline-soaked dressings and
notifying the surgeon.
Question 4
A patient is 12 hours postoperative after abdominal surgery. Which intervention most
effectively prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Coughing and deep breathing
C) Massaging the calves
D) Early ambulation and leg exercises
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
Early ambulation promotes venous return and prevents stasis, which is a key factor in DVT formation.
Massaging the calves is contraindicated if DVT is suspected.
Question 5
Which assessment finding indicates possible malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
2
,A) Bradycardia and hypothermia
B) Masseter muscle rigidity and rising end-tidal CO₂
C) Hypotension and warm, dry skin
D) Polyuria and hyperglycemia
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents, characterized by
masseter muscle rigidity, hypercarbia (rising end-tidal CO₂), tachycardia, and hyperthermia. Immediate
treatment with dantrolene is required.
Question 6
A patient is admitted to the PACU after general anesthesia. Which assessment is the priority?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency and respiratory status
C) Urine output
D) Surgical site dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Airway patency and respiratory status are the highest priorities in the immediate post-anesthesia
period because anesthetic agents can cause respiratory depression and airway obstruction.
Question 7
Which instruction should be given to a patient after cataract surgery?
A) Avoid bending and lifting
B) Rub the eye to relieve itching
C) Sleep on the operative side
D) Avoid all prescribed eye drops
3
, Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Bending and lifting increase intraocular pressure and can compromise the surgical site. Patients
should avoid rubbing the eye and follow the prescribed eye drop regimen.
Question 8
A patient with a new below-the-knee amputation should be positioned:
A) With the limb extended and elevated
B) In flexion to prevent pain
C) In Trendelenburg position
D) Prone at all times
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Extension and elevation help prevent flexion contractures and reduce edema. Proper positioning is
essential for rehabilitation.
Question 9
Which finding indicates a possible hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty?
A) Mild discomfort at the surgical site
B) Sudden severe pain and shortening of the leg
C) Warmth and redness at the incision
D) Itching around the dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Hip dislocation presents with sudden severe pain, shortening of the affected leg, and external rotation.
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