NCLEX-Style Test Bank
Chapter: Care of Postoperative Surgical
Patients
Unit II: Medical–Surgical Patient Care Problems
Based on: Medical-Surgical Nursing – Concepts and Practice
5th Edition by Holly K. Stromberg
✔ 50 Original NCLEX-Style Questions
✔ Detailed Rationales for Every Answer
✔ Based on 2025 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan
✔ Ideal for ATI, HESI, and Nursing School Prep
Released: 2025
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 5: Care of Postoperative Surgical Patients
(Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th Ed (2025)
1. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 8 breaths per minute. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue to monitor every 15 minutes
B. Raise the head of the bed
C. Stimulate the patient to breathe and notify the provider
D. Begin discharge instructions
Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious complication of anesthesia or opioid use. Prompt
stimulation and escalation are required.
2. What is the most critical assessment during the first hour of postoperative care?
A. Nausea and appetite
B. Vital signs and airway patency
C. Bowel sounds
D. Skin turgor
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are top priorities in early postoperative
care to detect complications like hypoxia or bleeding.
3. A postoperative patient has not voided 7 hours after surgery. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Report to the RN or provider and prepare for possible catheterization
C. Wait 2 more hours and reassess
D. Document the finding and continue observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Inability to void post-op may indicate urinary retention, often requiring intervention
if not resolved within 6–8 hours.
4. A nurse notes that a patient’s surgical dressing has saturated with blood 30 minutes after
arrival to the PACU. What should the nurse do first?
A. Remove the dressing
B. Apply pressure and notify the surgeon
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 5: Care of Postoperative Surgical Patients
(Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th Ed (2025)
C. Change the dressing
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Saturated dressings may indicate hemorrhage. Applying pressure and promptly
notifying the surgeon are critical steps.
5. What is a common early sign of hypovolemic shock in a postoperative patient?
A. Fever and chills
B. Hypertension and bounding pulse
C. Restlessness and tachycardia
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of shock include anxiety, restlessness, and increased heart rate due to
inadequate perfusion.
6. What is the nurse’s best response to a family member asking when the patient can go home
after outpatient surgery?
A. “As soon as they wake up.”
B. “When they eat a full meal.”
C. “After they are fully awake, vital signs are stable, and pain is managed.”
D. “Within 30 minutes after arrival in recovery.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Discharge requires meeting specific criteria, including consciousness, stable vitals,
controlled pain, and no complications.
7. What nursing intervention best supports early postoperative recovery and reduces the risk of
complications?
A. Keeping the patient flat in bed for 24 hours
B. Encouraging early ambulation as tolerated
C. Restricting all fluid intake
D. Administering a diuretic
Chapter: Care of Postoperative Surgical
Patients
Unit II: Medical–Surgical Patient Care Problems
Based on: Medical-Surgical Nursing – Concepts and Practice
5th Edition by Holly K. Stromberg
✔ 50 Original NCLEX-Style Questions
✔ Detailed Rationales for Every Answer
✔ Based on 2025 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan
✔ Ideal for ATI, HESI, and Nursing School Prep
Released: 2025
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 5: Care of Postoperative Surgical Patients
(Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th Ed (2025)
1. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 8 breaths per minute. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue to monitor every 15 minutes
B. Raise the head of the bed
C. Stimulate the patient to breathe and notify the provider
D. Begin discharge instructions
Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious complication of anesthesia or opioid use. Prompt
stimulation and escalation are required.
2. What is the most critical assessment during the first hour of postoperative care?
A. Nausea and appetite
B. Vital signs and airway patency
C. Bowel sounds
D. Skin turgor
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are top priorities in early postoperative
care to detect complications like hypoxia or bleeding.
3. A postoperative patient has not voided 7 hours after surgery. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Report to the RN or provider and prepare for possible catheterization
C. Wait 2 more hours and reassess
D. Document the finding and continue observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Inability to void post-op may indicate urinary retention, often requiring intervention
if not resolved within 6–8 hours.
4. A nurse notes that a patient’s surgical dressing has saturated with blood 30 minutes after
arrival to the PACU. What should the nurse do first?
A. Remove the dressing
B. Apply pressure and notify the surgeon
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 5: Care of Postoperative Surgical Patients
(Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th Ed (2025)
C. Change the dressing
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Saturated dressings may indicate hemorrhage. Applying pressure and promptly
notifying the surgeon are critical steps.
5. What is a common early sign of hypovolemic shock in a postoperative patient?
A. Fever and chills
B. Hypertension and bounding pulse
C. Restlessness and tachycardia
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of shock include anxiety, restlessness, and increased heart rate due to
inadequate perfusion.
6. What is the nurse’s best response to a family member asking when the patient can go home
after outpatient surgery?
A. “As soon as they wake up.”
B. “When they eat a full meal.”
C. “After they are fully awake, vital signs are stable, and pain is managed.”
D. “Within 30 minutes after arrival in recovery.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Discharge requires meeting specific criteria, including consciousness, stable vitals,
controlled pain, and no complications.
7. What nursing intervention best supports early postoperative recovery and reduces the risk of
complications?
A. Keeping the patient flat in bed for 24 hours
B. Encouraging early ambulation as tolerated
C. Restricting all fluid intake
D. Administering a diuretic
