RCTC NURS 1117 UNIT 4 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
What does a high residual tell you? What could this lead to? - correct answer ✔✔A high
residual tells you that the nutrition is not moving through the GI system and is just remaining in
the stomach. This could indicates intolerance lead to aspiration or
Why get health history during pre-op assessment? - correct answer ✔✔Determines what
problems they had in the past
What diseases should be noted during pre-op assessment? - correct answer ✔✔Cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal and liver, and endocrine
Why is it important to know if the patient has any respiratory diseases before surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔There is an increased risk of respiratory depression due to anesthesia and post-op
complications
Why is it important to know about any renal and over diseases before surgery? - correct answer
✔✔Renal and liver function impact electrolyte and fluid balance, affect how medications will be
metabolised and excreted, and impairs wound healing
What labs do you check for liver function? Kidney function? - correct answer ✔✔Liver: AST, ALT,
alkaline phosphate, bilirubin
Kidney: BUN, creatinine
Why is it important to know about any Endocrine diseases prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔DM specifically - increased risk for hypoglycemia and acidosis; slows wound healing
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking anticoagulants prior to surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔Increased risk of hemorrhage
, Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking diuretics prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔Increased risk of electrolyte imbalances
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking tranquilizers prior to surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔Interacts with anesthesia to decrease BP
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking corticosteroids prior to surgery? How is this
problem avoided? - correct answer ✔✔Withdrawal may cause cardiovascular collapse; dose
boosted to get through post-op
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking antibiotics prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔May have drug interaction with muscle relaxants in anesthesia
What other things should be assessed during the post op health history? - correct answer
✔✔Previous surgeries, nutrition, use of alcohol, drugs or nicotine, ADL's, occupation, coping
patterns, support system
What must be explained to a patient in order for them to give informed consent? - correct
answer ✔✔Description of procedure, underlying disease processes, the names and
qualifications of the whole treatment team, risks, expected outcomes, recovery & home plan,
and the explanation that consent can be withdrawn at ANY time
Who collects informed consent? - correct answer ✔✔The doctor or physician performing the
procedure
When is informed consent not legal? - correct answer ✔✔If the pt giving consent is confused,
unconscious, sedated, mentally incompetent, or a minor
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
What does a high residual tell you? What could this lead to? - correct answer ✔✔A high
residual tells you that the nutrition is not moving through the GI system and is just remaining in
the stomach. This could indicates intolerance lead to aspiration or
Why get health history during pre-op assessment? - correct answer ✔✔Determines what
problems they had in the past
What diseases should be noted during pre-op assessment? - correct answer ✔✔Cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal and liver, and endocrine
Why is it important to know if the patient has any respiratory diseases before surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔There is an increased risk of respiratory depression due to anesthesia and post-op
complications
Why is it important to know about any renal and over diseases before surgery? - correct answer
✔✔Renal and liver function impact electrolyte and fluid balance, affect how medications will be
metabolised and excreted, and impairs wound healing
What labs do you check for liver function? Kidney function? - correct answer ✔✔Liver: AST, ALT,
alkaline phosphate, bilirubin
Kidney: BUN, creatinine
Why is it important to know about any Endocrine diseases prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔DM specifically - increased risk for hypoglycemia and acidosis; slows wound healing
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking anticoagulants prior to surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔Increased risk of hemorrhage
, Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking diuretics prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔Increased risk of electrolyte imbalances
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking tranquilizers prior to surgery? - correct
answer ✔✔Interacts with anesthesia to decrease BP
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking corticosteroids prior to surgery? How is this
problem avoided? - correct answer ✔✔Withdrawal may cause cardiovascular collapse; dose
boosted to get through post-op
Why would it be important to know if a pt is taking antibiotics prior to surgery? - correct answer
✔✔May have drug interaction with muscle relaxants in anesthesia
What other things should be assessed during the post op health history? - correct answer
✔✔Previous surgeries, nutrition, use of alcohol, drugs or nicotine, ADL's, occupation, coping
patterns, support system
What must be explained to a patient in order for them to give informed consent? - correct
answer ✔✔Description of procedure, underlying disease processes, the names and
qualifications of the whole treatment team, risks, expected outcomes, recovery & home plan,
and the explanation that consent can be withdrawn at ANY time
Who collects informed consent? - correct answer ✔✔The doctor or physician performing the
procedure
When is informed consent not legal? - correct answer ✔✔If the pt giving consent is confused,
unconscious, sedated, mentally incompetent, or a minor
