WGU D446 Adult Health 2 UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers.
1. A 55-year-old patient with a history of smoking is scheduled for elective
surgery. Which preoperative assessment finding is most concerning to the
nurse? Rationale:may indicate mild hypoxemia, especially concerning in a
patient with a history of smoking, as it could impact oxygenation during
surgery. The nurse should report this finding for further evaluation. Other
options are within normal limits and less concerning.: Pulse oximetry reading
of 92%
2. During preoperative teaching, a patient expresses fear about anesthesia.
Which response by the nurse best addresses the patient's concern?Rationale:
This response encourages the patient to verbalize specific fears, allowing
the nurse to provide accurate information and emotional support. It's a pa-
tient-centered approach, addressing individual concerns rather than provid-
ing general reassurance.: "Tell me more about what concerns you about the
anesthesia."
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, 3. The nurse is in the operating room and notices that a sterile field may have
been contaminated. What is the nurse's best action?Rationale: Maintaining a
sterile environment is crucial to prevent infection. The nurse must inform the
surgical team immediately to ensure corrective actions are taken. Ignoring
it or not notifying others compromises patient safety.: Immediately inform the
surgical team.
4. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) has shallow, irregular
breathing. What should be the nurse's priority intervention?Rationale: En-
couraging deep breathing helps prevent hypoventilation and increases oxy-
genation, addressing the shallow breathing. Other options, while appropriate,
are secondary to first attempting to improve the patient's breathing pattern.-
: Stimulate the patient to encourage deep breathing.
5. A postoperative patient reports pain at the incision site. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?Rationale: Postoperative pain is expected,
and the nurse should administer pain relief as prescribed to promote comfort
and facilitate healing. Monitoring alone is insufficient, and massage could
disrupt the incision.: Provide prescribed analgesics as needed.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer preoperative medication. Which of the
following should the nurse verify before administration?Rationale: Ensuring
the patient has been NPO (nothing by mouth) before administering preoper-
ative medication reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. The other
factors are less directly related to preoperative medication safety.: Last oral
intake
7. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of opioids postoperatively.
Which of the following should the nurse emphasize?Rationale: Constipation
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, is a common side effect of opioids. The nurse should advise fluid intake to
prevent this. Other options are inaccurate or incomplete instructions.: Drink
plenty of fluids to prevent constipation.
8. A postoperative patient needs assistance ambulating. Which team member
should the nurse collaborate with to ensure safe ambulation?Rationale: Phys-
ical therapists specialize in mobility and can assist the nurse in ambulating
the patient safely, which can prevent falls and encourage recovery.: Physical
therapist
9. A patient's surgical wound shows signs of infection. The nurse should con-
sult which healthcare professional first?Rationale: responsible for managing
surgical site infections and can make decisions regarding wound care and
antibiotic therapy.: Surgeon
10. When providing discharge instructions to a postoperative patient, which
topic should the nurse prioritize?Rationale: Effective wound care is essential
in preventing infection and promoting healing, which is critical in the imme-
diate postoperative period. This takes priority in discharge education.: Proper
wound care techniques
11. A postoperative patient develops sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?Rationale: Chest pain and
shortness of breath are signs of possible pulmonary embolism, a medical
emergency. Oxygen administration and notifying the team immediately are
crucial. Elevating the bed may follow after these primary actions.: Administer
oxygen and call for immediate assistance.
12. The nurse notices excessive bleeding from a postoperative patient's sur-
gical site. What is the nurse's priority intervention?Rationale: Apply pressure
the bleeding site helps control bleeding temporarily while waiting for further
instructions. Prompt communication with the healthcare provider is essential
to prevent potential hemorrhage.: Apply pressure to the site and notify the health-
care provider.
13. A patient reports inadequate pain relief 30 minutes after receiving a
prescribed dose of morphine. What should the nurse do next?Rationale: If
pain relief is inadequate, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider
for an alternative approach to manage the patient's pain effectively. Simply
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, re-evaluating or teaching relaxation alone may not sufficiently address severe
pain.: Call the healthcare provider for additional pain management orders
14. During postoperative rounds, a nurse observes that a patient's pain level
has increased. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate?Ratio-
nale: Assessing pain and providing appropriate pharmacologic intervention
is essential for effective pain management. Nonpharmacologic methods can
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers.
1. A 55-year-old patient with a history of smoking is scheduled for elective
surgery. Which preoperative assessment finding is most concerning to the
nurse? Rationale:may indicate mild hypoxemia, especially concerning in a
patient with a history of smoking, as it could impact oxygenation during
surgery. The nurse should report this finding for further evaluation. Other
options are within normal limits and less concerning.: Pulse oximetry reading
of 92%
2. During preoperative teaching, a patient expresses fear about anesthesia.
Which response by the nurse best addresses the patient's concern?Rationale:
This response encourages the patient to verbalize specific fears, allowing
the nurse to provide accurate information and emotional support. It's a pa-
tient-centered approach, addressing individual concerns rather than provid-
ing general reassurance.: "Tell me more about what concerns you about the
anesthesia."
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, 3. The nurse is in the operating room and notices that a sterile field may have
been contaminated. What is the nurse's best action?Rationale: Maintaining a
sterile environment is crucial to prevent infection. The nurse must inform the
surgical team immediately to ensure corrective actions are taken. Ignoring
it or not notifying others compromises patient safety.: Immediately inform the
surgical team.
4. A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) has shallow, irregular
breathing. What should be the nurse's priority intervention?Rationale: En-
couraging deep breathing helps prevent hypoventilation and increases oxy-
genation, addressing the shallow breathing. Other options, while appropriate,
are secondary to first attempting to improve the patient's breathing pattern.-
: Stimulate the patient to encourage deep breathing.
5. A postoperative patient reports pain at the incision site. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?Rationale: Postoperative pain is expected,
and the nurse should administer pain relief as prescribed to promote comfort
and facilitate healing. Monitoring alone is insufficient, and massage could
disrupt the incision.: Provide prescribed analgesics as needed.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer preoperative medication. Which of the
following should the nurse verify before administration?Rationale: Ensuring
the patient has been NPO (nothing by mouth) before administering preoper-
ative medication reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. The other
factors are less directly related to preoperative medication safety.: Last oral
intake
7. The nurse is educating a patient on the use of opioids postoperatively.
Which of the following should the nurse emphasize?Rationale: Constipation
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, is a common side effect of opioids. The nurse should advise fluid intake to
prevent this. Other options are inaccurate or incomplete instructions.: Drink
plenty of fluids to prevent constipation.
8. A postoperative patient needs assistance ambulating. Which team member
should the nurse collaborate with to ensure safe ambulation?Rationale: Phys-
ical therapists specialize in mobility and can assist the nurse in ambulating
the patient safely, which can prevent falls and encourage recovery.: Physical
therapist
9. A patient's surgical wound shows signs of infection. The nurse should con-
sult which healthcare professional first?Rationale: responsible for managing
surgical site infections and can make decisions regarding wound care and
antibiotic therapy.: Surgeon
10. When providing discharge instructions to a postoperative patient, which
topic should the nurse prioritize?Rationale: Effective wound care is essential
in preventing infection and promoting healing, which is critical in the imme-
diate postoperative period. This takes priority in discharge education.: Proper
wound care techniques
11. A postoperative patient develops sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?Rationale: Chest pain and
shortness of breath are signs of possible pulmonary embolism, a medical
emergency. Oxygen administration and notifying the team immediately are
crucial. Elevating the bed may follow after these primary actions.: Administer
oxygen and call for immediate assistance.
12. The nurse notices excessive bleeding from a postoperative patient's sur-
gical site. What is the nurse's priority intervention?Rationale: Apply pressure
the bleeding site helps control bleeding temporarily while waiting for further
instructions. Prompt communication with the healthcare provider is essential
to prevent potential hemorrhage.: Apply pressure to the site and notify the health-
care provider.
13. A patient reports inadequate pain relief 30 minutes after receiving a
prescribed dose of morphine. What should the nurse do next?Rationale: If
pain relief is inadequate, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider
for an alternative approach to manage the patient's pain effectively. Simply
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
, re-evaluating or teaching relaxation alone may not sufficiently address severe
pain.: Call the healthcare provider for additional pain management orders
14. During postoperative rounds, a nurse observes that a patient's pain level
has increased. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate?Ratio-
nale: Assessing pain and providing appropriate pharmacologic intervention
is essential for effective pain management. Nonpharmacologic methods can
mailto:https://www.stuvia.com/user/Wisdoms
