Perioperative Nursing Ch. 30 NCLEX Questions and Answers
A 70-year-old male is scheduled for surgery. He says to the nurse, "I am so frightened—what if I don't wake
up?" What would be the nurse's best response?
a. "You have a wonderful doctor."
b. "Let's talk about how you are feeling."
c. "Everyone wakes up from surgery!"
d. "Don't worry, you will be just fine." - ansb. This answer allows the patient to talk about his feelings and fears,
and is therapeutic.
A 72-year-old woman who is scheduled for a hip replacement is taking several medications on a regular basis.
Which drug category might create a surgical risk for this patient?
a. Anticoagulants
b. Antacids
c. Laxatives
d. Sedatives - ansa. Anticoagulant drug therapy would increase the risk for hemorrhage during surgery.
A nurse has been asked to witness a patient signature on an informed consent form for surgery. What
information should be included on the form? Select all that apply.
a) The option of nontreatment
b) The underlying disease process and its natural course
c) Notice that once the form is signed, the patient cannot withdraw consent
d) Explanation of the guaranteed outcome of the procedure or treatment
e) Name and qualifications of the provider of the procedure or treatment
f) Explanation of the risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment - ansa, b, e, f
A nurse is caring for an obese patient who has had surgery. The nurse monitors this patient for what
postoperative complication?
, a. Anesthetic agent interactions
b. Impaired wound healing
c. Hemorrhage
d. Gas pains - ansb. Fatty tissue is less vascular and, therefore, less resistant to infection and more prone to
delayed wound healing.
A nurse is explaining pain control methods to a patient undergoing a bowel resection. The patient is interested
in the PCA pump and asks the nurse to explain how it works. What would be the nurse's correct response?
a. "The pump allows the patient to be completely free of pain during the postoperative period."
b. "The pump allows the patient to take unlimited amounts of medication as needed."
c. "The pump allows the patient to choose the type of medication given postoperatively."
d. "The pump allows the patient to self-administer limited doses of pain medication." - ansd. PCA infusion
pumps allow patients to self-administer doses of pain-relieving medication within physician-prescribed time
and dose limits. Patients activate the delivery of the medication by pressing a button on a cord connected to
the pump or a button directly on the pump.
A nurse is explaining the rationale for performing leg exercises after surgery. Which reason would the nurse
include in the explanation?
a. Promote respiratory function
b. Maintain functional abilities
c. Provide diversional activities
d. Increase venous return - ansd. Leg exercises in the postoperative period increase venous return. As a result,
the patient has a decreased risk for thrombophlebitis and emboli.
A nurse is preparing a patient for a cesarean section and teaches her the effects of the regional anesthesia she
will be receiving. Which effects would the nurse expect? Select all that apply.
a. Loss of consciousness
b. Relaxation of skeletal muscles
c. Reduction or loss of reflex action
d. Localized loss of sensation
A 70-year-old male is scheduled for surgery. He says to the nurse, "I am so frightened—what if I don't wake
up?" What would be the nurse's best response?
a. "You have a wonderful doctor."
b. "Let's talk about how you are feeling."
c. "Everyone wakes up from surgery!"
d. "Don't worry, you will be just fine." - ansb. This answer allows the patient to talk about his feelings and fears,
and is therapeutic.
A 72-year-old woman who is scheduled for a hip replacement is taking several medications on a regular basis.
Which drug category might create a surgical risk for this patient?
a. Anticoagulants
b. Antacids
c. Laxatives
d. Sedatives - ansa. Anticoagulant drug therapy would increase the risk for hemorrhage during surgery.
A nurse has been asked to witness a patient signature on an informed consent form for surgery. What
information should be included on the form? Select all that apply.
a) The option of nontreatment
b) The underlying disease process and its natural course
c) Notice that once the form is signed, the patient cannot withdraw consent
d) Explanation of the guaranteed outcome of the procedure or treatment
e) Name and qualifications of the provider of the procedure or treatment
f) Explanation of the risks and benefits of the procedure or treatment - ansa, b, e, f
A nurse is caring for an obese patient who has had surgery. The nurse monitors this patient for what
postoperative complication?
, a. Anesthetic agent interactions
b. Impaired wound healing
c. Hemorrhage
d. Gas pains - ansb. Fatty tissue is less vascular and, therefore, less resistant to infection and more prone to
delayed wound healing.
A nurse is explaining pain control methods to a patient undergoing a bowel resection. The patient is interested
in the PCA pump and asks the nurse to explain how it works. What would be the nurse's correct response?
a. "The pump allows the patient to be completely free of pain during the postoperative period."
b. "The pump allows the patient to take unlimited amounts of medication as needed."
c. "The pump allows the patient to choose the type of medication given postoperatively."
d. "The pump allows the patient to self-administer limited doses of pain medication." - ansd. PCA infusion
pumps allow patients to self-administer doses of pain-relieving medication within physician-prescribed time
and dose limits. Patients activate the delivery of the medication by pressing a button on a cord connected to
the pump or a button directly on the pump.
A nurse is explaining the rationale for performing leg exercises after surgery. Which reason would the nurse
include in the explanation?
a. Promote respiratory function
b. Maintain functional abilities
c. Provide diversional activities
d. Increase venous return - ansd. Leg exercises in the postoperative period increase venous return. As a result,
the patient has a decreased risk for thrombophlebitis and emboli.
A nurse is preparing a patient for a cesarean section and teaches her the effects of the regional anesthesia she
will be receiving. Which effects would the nurse expect? Select all that apply.
a. Loss of consciousness
b. Relaxation of skeletal muscles
c. Reduction or loss of reflex action
d. Localized loss of sensation
