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Med Surge Exam 1 | Preoperative,
Intraoperative, Postoperative, Pain,
Hematology, Fluids/Electrolytes,
Acid-Base | Q&A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative, Pain,
Hematology, Fluids/Electrolytes, Acid-Base)
Source: MED SURGE EXAM 1 (Verified Q&A)
Format: Exam-Style Questions with Bolded Questions and Italicized Vertical
Rationales
Perioperative Care (Chapters 14, 15, 16)
1. A nurse is caring for a client after an operation. When assessing the
client for postoperative infection, the nurse places priority on which
assessment?
A. Change in behavior
B. Daily white blood cell count
C. Presence of fever and chills
D. Tolerance of increasing activity
2. A preoperative nurse is assessing a client prior to surgery. Which
information would be most important for the nurse to relay to the
surgical team?
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A. Allergy to bee and wasp stings
B. History of lactose intolerance
C. No previous experience with surgery
D. Use of multiple herbs and supplements
3. A nurse works on the postoperative floor and has four clients who
are being discharged tomorrow. Which one has the greatest need for
the nurse to consult other members of the health care team for post-
discharge care?
A. Married young adult who is the primary caregiver for children
B. Middle-aged client who is post knee replacement, needs physical therapy
C. Older adult who lives at home despite some memory loss
D. Young client who lives alone, has family and friends nearby
4. A clinic nurse is teaching a client prior to surgery. The client does
not seem to comprehend the teaching, forgets a lot of what is said, and
asks the same questions again and again. What action by the nurse is
best?
A. Assess the client for anxiety.
B. Break the information into smaller bits.
C. Give the client written information.
D. Review the information again.
5. A preoperative nurse is reviewing morning laboratory values on
four clients waiting for surgery. Which result warrants immediate
communication with the surgical team?
A. Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dL
B. Hemoglobin: 14.8 mg/dL
C. Potassium: 2.9 mEq/L
D. Sodium: 134 mEq/L
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6. An inpatient nurse brings an informed consent form to a client for
an operation scheduled for tomorrow. The client asks about possible
complications from the operation. What response by the nurse is best?
A. Answer the questions and document that teaching was done.
B. Do not have the client sign the consent and call the surgeon.
C. Have the client sign the consent, then call the surgeon.
D. Remind the client of what teaching the surgeon has done.
7. A client has a great deal of pain when coughing and deep breathing
after abdominal surgery despite having pain medication. What action
by the nurse is best?
A. Call the provider to request more analgesia.
B. Demonstrate how to splint the incision.
C. Have the client take shallower breaths.
D. Tell the client a little pain is expected.
8. A nurse is giving a client instructions for showering with special
antimicrobial soap the night before surgery. What instruction is most
appropriate?
A. After you wash the surgical site, shave that area with your own razor.
B. Be sure to wash the area where you will have surgery very thoroughly.
C. Use a washcloth to wash the surgical site; do not take a full shower or
bath.
D. Wash the surgical site first, then shampoo and wash the rest of your
body.
9. A postoperative client has an abdominal drain. What assessment by
the nurse indicates that goals for the priority client problems related
to the drain are being met?
A. Drainage from the surgical site is 30 mL less than yesterday.
B. There is no redness, warmth, or drainage at the insertion site.
Med Surge Exam 1 | Preoperative,
Intraoperative, Postoperative, Pain,
Hematology, Fluids/Electrolytes,
Acid-Base | Q&A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative, Pain,
Hematology, Fluids/Electrolytes, Acid-Base)
Source: MED SURGE EXAM 1 (Verified Q&A)
Format: Exam-Style Questions with Bolded Questions and Italicized Vertical
Rationales
Perioperative Care (Chapters 14, 15, 16)
1. A nurse is caring for a client after an operation. When assessing the
client for postoperative infection, the nurse places priority on which
assessment?
A. Change in behavior
B. Daily white blood cell count
C. Presence of fever and chills
D. Tolerance of increasing activity
2. A preoperative nurse is assessing a client prior to surgery. Which
information would be most important for the nurse to relay to the
surgical team?
, 2|Page
A. Allergy to bee and wasp stings
B. History of lactose intolerance
C. No previous experience with surgery
D. Use of multiple herbs and supplements
3. A nurse works on the postoperative floor and has four clients who
are being discharged tomorrow. Which one has the greatest need for
the nurse to consult other members of the health care team for post-
discharge care?
A. Married young adult who is the primary caregiver for children
B. Middle-aged client who is post knee replacement, needs physical therapy
C. Older adult who lives at home despite some memory loss
D. Young client who lives alone, has family and friends nearby
4. A clinic nurse is teaching a client prior to surgery. The client does
not seem to comprehend the teaching, forgets a lot of what is said, and
asks the same questions again and again. What action by the nurse is
best?
A. Assess the client for anxiety.
B. Break the information into smaller bits.
C. Give the client written information.
D. Review the information again.
5. A preoperative nurse is reviewing morning laboratory values on
four clients waiting for surgery. Which result warrants immediate
communication with the surgical team?
A. Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dL
B. Hemoglobin: 14.8 mg/dL
C. Potassium: 2.9 mEq/L
D. Sodium: 134 mEq/L
, 3|Page
6. An inpatient nurse brings an informed consent form to a client for
an operation scheduled for tomorrow. The client asks about possible
complications from the operation. What response by the nurse is best?
A. Answer the questions and document that teaching was done.
B. Do not have the client sign the consent and call the surgeon.
C. Have the client sign the consent, then call the surgeon.
D. Remind the client of what teaching the surgeon has done.
7. A client has a great deal of pain when coughing and deep breathing
after abdominal surgery despite having pain medication. What action
by the nurse is best?
A. Call the provider to request more analgesia.
B. Demonstrate how to splint the incision.
C. Have the client take shallower breaths.
D. Tell the client a little pain is expected.
8. A nurse is giving a client instructions for showering with special
antimicrobial soap the night before surgery. What instruction is most
appropriate?
A. After you wash the surgical site, shave that area with your own razor.
B. Be sure to wash the area where you will have surgery very thoroughly.
C. Use a washcloth to wash the surgical site; do not take a full shower or
bath.
D. Wash the surgical site first, then shampoo and wash the rest of your
body.
9. A postoperative client has an abdominal drain. What assessment by
the nurse indicates that goals for the priority client problems related
to the drain are being met?
A. Drainage from the surgical site is 30 mL less than yesterday.
B. There is no redness, warmth, or drainage at the insertion site.
