,NSG 3213 Exam 3 | Fundamentals of Nursing (2026)
Q&A | South College
1. Which phase of the perioperative period begins with the decision to have
surgery and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating room?
A) Preoperative phase
B) Intraoperative phase
C) Postoperative phase
D) Recovery phase
Correct Answer: Preoperative phase
Rationale: The preoperative phase begins with the decision to proceed with
surgery and lasts until the patient is transferred to the operating room or
procedural bed. The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is transferred to
the OR bed and ends in the PACU, and the postoperative phase extends from PACU
admission through recovery and follow-up. Recovery is a component of the
postoperative period, not a separate phase.
2. Which classification describes surgery performed to relieve symptoms without
curing the underlying disease?
A) Curative
B) Palliative
C) Diagnostic
D) Preventive
Correct Answer: Palliative
,Rationale: Palliative surgery relieves symptoms or improves comfort without
curing the disease. Curative surgery aims to remove or repair the disease process,
diagnostic surgery obtains tissue or information, and preventive surgery reduces
the risk of future disease.
3. A patient scheduled for surgery reports taking an herbal supplement that was
not listed in the medication record. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Disregard the information because it was purchased without a prescription
B) Instruct the patient to continue all supplements until anesthesia begins
C) Document the supplement and communicate its use to the perioperative team
before surgery
D) Explain that herbal supplements do not influence surgical outcomes
Correct Answer: Document the supplement and communicate its use to the
perioperative team before surgery
Rationale: Herbal supplements can affect coagulation, blood pressure, sedation,
and anesthetic interactions, so a complete preoperative medication history must
include prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal
preparations. The nurse documents the supplement and communicates this
information to the perioperative team for risk evaluation before surgery.
4. A patient reports a previous episode of severe muscle rigidity and dangerously
elevated body temperature during general anesthesia. Which action is the highest
priority?
A) Document the history as an expected response to anesthesia
B) Reassure the patient that previous anesthetic reactions cannot recur
C) Administer the planned preoperative sedative without further assessment
, D) Immediately communicate the history to the anesthesia professional because it
may indicate malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Correct Answer: Immediately communicate the history to the anesthesia
professional because it may indicate malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Rationale: A history of severe muscle rigidity and hyperthermia during
anesthesia suggests malignant hyperthermia susceptibility, a life-threatening
reaction. The nurse must immediately communicate this history to the anesthesia
professional so that trigger-free anesthetic agents and precautions can be planned.
5. Which element is essential for informed surgical consent?
A) The patient signs the form before any discussion occurs
B) The patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure
C) The nurse obtains consent for all procedures
D) Consent is required only for surgical procedures
Correct Answer: The patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to
the procedure
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient understand the nature of
the procedure, its material risks, benefits, and reasonable alternatives, and
voluntarily agree. Signing before discussion is not informed consent, the provider
typically obtains consent, and consent is required for many procedures beyond
surgery.
6. A patient scheduled for surgery states, “I agreed to the surgery, but I did not
know they might remove the entire organ.” What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
Q&A | South College
1. Which phase of the perioperative period begins with the decision to have
surgery and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating room?
A) Preoperative phase
B) Intraoperative phase
C) Postoperative phase
D) Recovery phase
Correct Answer: Preoperative phase
Rationale: The preoperative phase begins with the decision to proceed with
surgery and lasts until the patient is transferred to the operating room or
procedural bed. The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is transferred to
the OR bed and ends in the PACU, and the postoperative phase extends from PACU
admission through recovery and follow-up. Recovery is a component of the
postoperative period, not a separate phase.
2. Which classification describes surgery performed to relieve symptoms without
curing the underlying disease?
A) Curative
B) Palliative
C) Diagnostic
D) Preventive
Correct Answer: Palliative
,Rationale: Palliative surgery relieves symptoms or improves comfort without
curing the disease. Curative surgery aims to remove or repair the disease process,
diagnostic surgery obtains tissue or information, and preventive surgery reduces
the risk of future disease.
3. A patient scheduled for surgery reports taking an herbal supplement that was
not listed in the medication record. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Disregard the information because it was purchased without a prescription
B) Instruct the patient to continue all supplements until anesthesia begins
C) Document the supplement and communicate its use to the perioperative team
before surgery
D) Explain that herbal supplements do not influence surgical outcomes
Correct Answer: Document the supplement and communicate its use to the
perioperative team before surgery
Rationale: Herbal supplements can affect coagulation, blood pressure, sedation,
and anesthetic interactions, so a complete preoperative medication history must
include prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal
preparations. The nurse documents the supplement and communicates this
information to the perioperative team for risk evaluation before surgery.
4. A patient reports a previous episode of severe muscle rigidity and dangerously
elevated body temperature during general anesthesia. Which action is the highest
priority?
A) Document the history as an expected response to anesthesia
B) Reassure the patient that previous anesthetic reactions cannot recur
C) Administer the planned preoperative sedative without further assessment
, D) Immediately communicate the history to the anesthesia professional because it
may indicate malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Correct Answer: Immediately communicate the history to the anesthesia
professional because it may indicate malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Rationale: A history of severe muscle rigidity and hyperthermia during
anesthesia suggests malignant hyperthermia susceptibility, a life-threatening
reaction. The nurse must immediately communicate this history to the anesthesia
professional so that trigger-free anesthetic agents and precautions can be planned.
5. Which element is essential for informed surgical consent?
A) The patient signs the form before any discussion occurs
B) The patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure
C) The nurse obtains consent for all procedures
D) Consent is required only for surgical procedures
Correct Answer: The patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to
the procedure
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient understand the nature of
the procedure, its material risks, benefits, and reasonable alternatives, and
voluntarily agree. Signing before discussion is not informed consent, the provider
typically obtains consent, and consent is required for many procedures beyond
surgery.
6. A patient scheduled for surgery states, “I agreed to the surgery, but I did not
know they might remove the entire organ.” What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
