1|Page
Care of the Surgical patient NCLEX review questions (NEW UPDATED VERSION)
LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+
Care of the Surgical Patient – NCLEX Practice
Preoperative Care
1. A patient scheduled for surgery has a history of latex allergy. Which action is most important
for the nurse?
A. Document the allergy
B. Remove latex-containing items from the room
C. Notify the OR team
D. All of the above
Rationale: Latex allergy can cause anaphylaxis; documentation, notification, and removal are
all essential.
2. A client is anxious before surgery. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Reassure the client repeatedly
B. Teach about post-op pain management
C. Ignore anxiety
D. Administer sedative without provider order
Rationale: Teaching reduces anxiety by providing information and coping strategies.
3. Select all that apply: Pre-op patient teaching includes:
A. NPO status
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Deep breathing and coughing exercises
D. Bedrest until discharge
Rationale: NPO, spirometry, and breathing exercises prevent aspiration and post-op
complications.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
4. The nurse is verifying informed consent. Which is correct?
A. Explaining the procedure
B. Witnessing signature
C. Answering detailed questions about the procedure
D. Ensuring family agrees
Rationale: The nurse witnesses the signature and ensures the form is signed; teaching is done
by the provider.
5. Which medication requires special consideration before surgery?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Warfarin
C. Vitamin C
D. Insulin
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; provider must decide whether to hold it.
6. Select all that apply: Pre-op assessment should include:
A. Vital signs
B. Allergies
C. Pain history
D. Family medical history
E. Eye color
Rationale: Vital signs, allergies, and pain history are essential for safety.
7. A patient asks why they must fast before surgery. The nurse’s best response:
A. “It prevents nausea only.”
B. “It prevents aspiration during anesthesia.”
C. “It reduces surgical time.”
D. “It is tradition.”
Rationale: NPO status reduces risk of aspiration under anesthesia.
8. Select all that apply: Pre-op labs typically include:
A. CBC
B. Electrolytes
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
C. Coagulation studies
D. Cholesterol
E. Vitamin D
Rationale: CBC, electrolytes, and coagulation studies assess surgical risk.
9. Which action is priority before giving pre-op medications?
A. Check allergies
B. Start IV fluids
C. Prepare surgical instruments
D. Review discharge instructions
Rationale: Checking allergies prevents medication reactions.
10. A patient expresses fear about post-op pain. The nurse should:
A. Encourage pain-free expectations
B. Teach PCA use and pain management strategies
C. Ignore the concern
D. Wait until surgery is over
Rationale: Patient teaching about pain control reduces anxiety and improves compliance.
Intraoperative Care
11. Select all that apply: Responsibilities of the scrub nurse include:
A. Maintain sterile field
B. Pass instruments
C. Count sponges
D. Administer anesthesia
E. Position patient
Rationale: Scrub nurse maintains sterility and instrument handling; anesthesia is provider
responsibility.
12. During surgery, the patient’s temperature rises rapidly with muscle rigidity. This may
indicate:
A. Hypothermia
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
B. Malignant hyperthermia
C. Sepsis
D. Normal anesthesia response
Rationale: Rapid hyperthermia and rigidity suggest malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening
emergency.
13. Priority action if malignant hyperthermia is suspected:
A. Notify provider
B. Administer dantrolene
C. Hyperventilate with oxygen
D. All of the above
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia requires rapid intervention to prevent death.
14. A patient in lithotomy position is at risk for:
A. Pressure ulcers
B. Nerve injury
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Hypothermia
Rationale: Proper positioning prevents nerve damage and pressure injuries.
15. The circulating nurse is responsible for:
A. Counting instruments
B. Maintaining sterile field
C. Administering anesthesia
D. Performing surgery
Rationale: Circulating nurse ensures safety and documentation.
Postoperative Care – PACU
16. Which is the highest priority assessment in PACU?
A. Pain level
B. Airway and breathing
2026 2027 GRADED A+
Care of the Surgical patient NCLEX review questions (NEW UPDATED VERSION)
LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+
Care of the Surgical Patient – NCLEX Practice
Preoperative Care
1. A patient scheduled for surgery has a history of latex allergy. Which action is most important
for the nurse?
A. Document the allergy
B. Remove latex-containing items from the room
C. Notify the OR team
D. All of the above
Rationale: Latex allergy can cause anaphylaxis; documentation, notification, and removal are
all essential.
2. A client is anxious before surgery. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Reassure the client repeatedly
B. Teach about post-op pain management
C. Ignore anxiety
D. Administer sedative without provider order
Rationale: Teaching reduces anxiety by providing information and coping strategies.
3. Select all that apply: Pre-op patient teaching includes:
A. NPO status
B. Incentive spirometry
C. Deep breathing and coughing exercises
D. Bedrest until discharge
Rationale: NPO, spirometry, and breathing exercises prevent aspiration and post-op
complications.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
4. The nurse is verifying informed consent. Which is correct?
A. Explaining the procedure
B. Witnessing signature
C. Answering detailed questions about the procedure
D. Ensuring family agrees
Rationale: The nurse witnesses the signature and ensures the form is signed; teaching is done
by the provider.
5. Which medication requires special consideration before surgery?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Warfarin
C. Vitamin C
D. Insulin
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; provider must decide whether to hold it.
6. Select all that apply: Pre-op assessment should include:
A. Vital signs
B. Allergies
C. Pain history
D. Family medical history
E. Eye color
Rationale: Vital signs, allergies, and pain history are essential for safety.
7. A patient asks why they must fast before surgery. The nurse’s best response:
A. “It prevents nausea only.”
B. “It prevents aspiration during anesthesia.”
C. “It reduces surgical time.”
D. “It is tradition.”
Rationale: NPO status reduces risk of aspiration under anesthesia.
8. Select all that apply: Pre-op labs typically include:
A. CBC
B. Electrolytes
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
C. Coagulation studies
D. Cholesterol
E. Vitamin D
Rationale: CBC, electrolytes, and coagulation studies assess surgical risk.
9. Which action is priority before giving pre-op medications?
A. Check allergies
B. Start IV fluids
C. Prepare surgical instruments
D. Review discharge instructions
Rationale: Checking allergies prevents medication reactions.
10. A patient expresses fear about post-op pain. The nurse should:
A. Encourage pain-free expectations
B. Teach PCA use and pain management strategies
C. Ignore the concern
D. Wait until surgery is over
Rationale: Patient teaching about pain control reduces anxiety and improves compliance.
Intraoperative Care
11. Select all that apply: Responsibilities of the scrub nurse include:
A. Maintain sterile field
B. Pass instruments
C. Count sponges
D. Administer anesthesia
E. Position patient
Rationale: Scrub nurse maintains sterility and instrument handling; anesthesia is provider
responsibility.
12. During surgery, the patient’s temperature rises rapidly with muscle rigidity. This may
indicate:
A. Hypothermia
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
B. Malignant hyperthermia
C. Sepsis
D. Normal anesthesia response
Rationale: Rapid hyperthermia and rigidity suggest malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening
emergency.
13. Priority action if malignant hyperthermia is suspected:
A. Notify provider
B. Administer dantrolene
C. Hyperventilate with oxygen
D. All of the above
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia requires rapid intervention to prevent death.
14. A patient in lithotomy position is at risk for:
A. Pressure ulcers
B. Nerve injury
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Hypothermia
Rationale: Proper positioning prevents nerve damage and pressure injuries.
15. The circulating nurse is responsible for:
A. Counting instruments
B. Maintaining sterile field
C. Administering anesthesia
D. Performing surgery
Rationale: Circulating nurse ensures safety and documentation.
Postoperative Care – PACU
16. Which is the highest priority assessment in PACU?
A. Pain level
B. Airway and breathing
2026 2027 GRADED A+
