2026/2027
NSG 3250 Exam 3 Complete Study
Guide and Exam Success Review for
2026/2027 Nursing Coursework
Preparation
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the requirements for valid informed consent prior to surgery.
Which patient condition is essential for informed consent to be legally valid?
A. Patient is sedated but cooperative
B. Patient is cognitively aware and legally competent
C. Family member has signed the consent form
D. Consent is obtained after administration of preoperative sedatives
Correct Answer: B. Patient is cognitively aware and legally competent
Rationale:
Informed consent is only valid when the patient is mentally competent, alert, and able
to understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The patient must also be
of legal age (18 years or older) or have a legal guardian if a minor. Sedation or altered
consciousness invalidates consent because decision-making capacity is impaired.
Family members cannot provide consent unless legally authorized.
Question 2
Which of the following correctly lists the three phases of perioperative care?
A. Admission, surgery, discharge
B. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
C. Assessment, diagnosis, evaluation
D. Planning, implementation, evaluation
Correct Answer: B. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
Rationale:
Perioperative care is divided into three main phases: preoperative (before surgery),
intraoperative (during surgery), and postoperative (recovery period). These phases
guide nursing responsibilities and patient management throughout surgical care. The
other options represent general nursing processes or unrelated stages.
,2026/2027
Question 3
Which classification of surgery requires immediate intervention to prevent death or
serious harm?
A. Elective
B. Required
C. Urgent
D. Emergent
Correct Answer: D. Emergent
Rationale:
Emergent surgery must be performed immediately to save life or prevent severe
complications, such as trauma or uncontrolled bleeding. Urgent surgery is needed
within 24–48 hours, required surgery is scheduled within weeks or months, and
elective surgery is planned without immediate risk.
Question 4
A patient is scheduled for cataract surgery in two months. This surgery is best
classified as:
A. Emergent
B. Urgent
C. Required
D. Optional
Correct Answer: C. Required
Rationale:
Required surgeries are necessary but not immediately life-threatening and can be
scheduled within weeks or months. Cataract surgery improves function but does not
pose immediate danger. Emergent and urgent surgeries involve immediate risk, while
optional surgeries are based on personal preference.
Question 5
Which nursing intervention is appropriate in the preoperative phase?
A. Monitoring airway patency in PACU
B. Performing sterile surgical scrub
C. Providing patient education and verifying consent
D. Managing surgical instruments during surgery
Correct Answer: C. Providing patient education and verifying consent
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Preoperative nursing care includes education, psychological preparation, consent
verification, and baseline assessments. Airway monitoring occurs postoperatively,
while sterile field maintenance and instrument handling occur intraoperatively.
Question 6
Which action is the responsibility of the circulating nurse during surgery?
A. Performing the incision
B. Maintaining the sterile field
C. Positioning the patient and obtaining supplies
D. Administering anesthesia
Correct Answer: C. Positioning the patient and obtaining supplies
Rationale:
The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field and assists with patient
positioning, documentation, supply retrieval, and communication with family. The
scrub nurse maintains sterility, and anesthesia is administered by the anesthesia
provider.
Question 7
Which OR area allows staff to wear street clothes?
A. Restricted zone
B. Semi-restricted zone
C. Unrestricted zone
D. Sterile zone
Correct Answer: C. Unrestricted zone
Rationale:
The unrestricted zone includes areas such as reception and waiting rooms where street
clothes are permitted. Restricted zones require surgical attire and masks, while semi-
restricted areas require scrubs.
Question 8
Which stage of general anesthesia is characterized by surgical readiness and stable
vital signs?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
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C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: C. Stage 3
Rationale:
Stage 3 is the surgical anesthesia stage where the patient is unconscious, pain reflexes
are absent, and vital signs are stable. This is the ideal stage for surgery. Stage 4 is
dangerous and involves respiratory and cardiovascular collapse.
Question 9
Which anesthesia stage represents a life-threatening overdose?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: D. Stage 4
Rationale:
Stage 4 (medullary depression) is caused by excessive anesthesia leading to severe
respiratory and cardiovascular failure. Immediate life support is required. The earlier
stages are either mild or surgical levels of anesthesia.
Question 10
Which type of anesthesia involves temporary loss of sensation in a specific body
region?
A. General anesthesia
B. Regional anesthesia
C. Sedation only
D. Topical analgesia only
Correct Answer: B. Regional anesthesia
Rationale:
Regional anesthesia blocks nerve conduction in a specific area, such as spinal or
epidural anesthesia. General anesthesia causes complete unconsciousness, while
topical anesthesia affects only surface tissues.
Question 11
NSG 3250 Exam 3 Complete Study
Guide and Exam Success Review for
2026/2027 Nursing Coursework
Preparation
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the requirements for valid informed consent prior to surgery.
Which patient condition is essential for informed consent to be legally valid?
A. Patient is sedated but cooperative
B. Patient is cognitively aware and legally competent
C. Family member has signed the consent form
D. Consent is obtained after administration of preoperative sedatives
Correct Answer: B. Patient is cognitively aware and legally competent
Rationale:
Informed consent is only valid when the patient is mentally competent, alert, and able
to understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The patient must also be
of legal age (18 years or older) or have a legal guardian if a minor. Sedation or altered
consciousness invalidates consent because decision-making capacity is impaired.
Family members cannot provide consent unless legally authorized.
Question 2
Which of the following correctly lists the three phases of perioperative care?
A. Admission, surgery, discharge
B. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
C. Assessment, diagnosis, evaluation
D. Planning, implementation, evaluation
Correct Answer: B. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
Rationale:
Perioperative care is divided into three main phases: preoperative (before surgery),
intraoperative (during surgery), and postoperative (recovery period). These phases
guide nursing responsibilities and patient management throughout surgical care. The
other options represent general nursing processes or unrelated stages.
,2026/2027
Question 3
Which classification of surgery requires immediate intervention to prevent death or
serious harm?
A. Elective
B. Required
C. Urgent
D. Emergent
Correct Answer: D. Emergent
Rationale:
Emergent surgery must be performed immediately to save life or prevent severe
complications, such as trauma or uncontrolled bleeding. Urgent surgery is needed
within 24–48 hours, required surgery is scheduled within weeks or months, and
elective surgery is planned without immediate risk.
Question 4
A patient is scheduled for cataract surgery in two months. This surgery is best
classified as:
A. Emergent
B. Urgent
C. Required
D. Optional
Correct Answer: C. Required
Rationale:
Required surgeries are necessary but not immediately life-threatening and can be
scheduled within weeks or months. Cataract surgery improves function but does not
pose immediate danger. Emergent and urgent surgeries involve immediate risk, while
optional surgeries are based on personal preference.
Question 5
Which nursing intervention is appropriate in the preoperative phase?
A. Monitoring airway patency in PACU
B. Performing sterile surgical scrub
C. Providing patient education and verifying consent
D. Managing surgical instruments during surgery
Correct Answer: C. Providing patient education and verifying consent
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Preoperative nursing care includes education, psychological preparation, consent
verification, and baseline assessments. Airway monitoring occurs postoperatively,
while sterile field maintenance and instrument handling occur intraoperatively.
Question 6
Which action is the responsibility of the circulating nurse during surgery?
A. Performing the incision
B. Maintaining the sterile field
C. Positioning the patient and obtaining supplies
D. Administering anesthesia
Correct Answer: C. Positioning the patient and obtaining supplies
Rationale:
The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field and assists with patient
positioning, documentation, supply retrieval, and communication with family. The
scrub nurse maintains sterility, and anesthesia is administered by the anesthesia
provider.
Question 7
Which OR area allows staff to wear street clothes?
A. Restricted zone
B. Semi-restricted zone
C. Unrestricted zone
D. Sterile zone
Correct Answer: C. Unrestricted zone
Rationale:
The unrestricted zone includes areas such as reception and waiting rooms where street
clothes are permitted. Restricted zones require surgical attire and masks, while semi-
restricted areas require scrubs.
Question 8
Which stage of general anesthesia is characterized by surgical readiness and stable
vital signs?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
, 2026/2027
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: C. Stage 3
Rationale:
Stage 3 is the surgical anesthesia stage where the patient is unconscious, pain reflexes
are absent, and vital signs are stable. This is the ideal stage for surgery. Stage 4 is
dangerous and involves respiratory and cardiovascular collapse.
Question 9
Which anesthesia stage represents a life-threatening overdose?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 2
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 4
Correct Answer: D. Stage 4
Rationale:
Stage 4 (medullary depression) is caused by excessive anesthesia leading to severe
respiratory and cardiovascular failure. Immediate life support is required. The earlier
stages are either mild or surgical levels of anesthesia.
Question 10
Which type of anesthesia involves temporary loss of sensation in a specific body
region?
A. General anesthesia
B. Regional anesthesia
C. Sedation only
D. Topical analgesia only
Correct Answer: B. Regional anesthesia
Rationale:
Regional anesthesia blocks nerve conduction in a specific area, such as spinal or
epidural anesthesia. General anesthesia causes complete unconsciousness, while
topical anesthesia affects only surface tissues.
Question 11
