NZ Nursing State Study Guide | Newest
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update |
Expert Verified
• What does inpatient surgical care mean? -✓✓ Admitted to hospital (min 24
hours)
• Surgery classifications? -✓✓ Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
• What does Ambulatory mean? -✓✓ Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
• List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? -✓✓ Return to normal physical
function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
• What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) -✓✓ Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
• What does atelectasis mean? -✓✓ Collapse or closure of lung resulting in reduced
or absent gas exchange
,• List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? -✓✓ Fluid balance input and
output
Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
• What is meningitis? -✓✓ A serious disease in which there is inflammation of the
meninges
• Signs and symptoms of meningitis? -✓✓ Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
• Main cause of meningitis? -✓✓ Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Viral: Enterovirus
• Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) -✓✓ Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
,• What is the purpose of the nursing council? -✓✓ To protect the health and safety
of members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and
competent.
• Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) -✓✓ Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
• What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? -✓✓
Do not give until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
• Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) -✓✓ Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
• List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? -✓✓
Place a pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
• What is airway obstruction caused by? -✓✓ Tongue
Laryngospasm
, Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
• Treatment for airway obstruction? -✓✓ Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
• Manifestations of atelectasis? -✓✓ Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis,
anxiety
• What is a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Occurs from a deep vein thrombosis, clot
forms, travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
• Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
• How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Pre op weight loss
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update |
Expert Verified
• What does inpatient surgical care mean? -✓✓ Admitted to hospital (min 24
hours)
• Surgery classifications? -✓✓ Elective
Diagnostic
Acute
• What does Ambulatory mean? -✓✓ Day surgery (max stay 23 hours)
• List 3 patient orientated goals post surgery? -✓✓ Return to normal physical
function
Remain free from post op complications
Achieve emotional and physical comfort
• What is included in a pre-op assessment? (5) -✓✓ Obtain history
Physical assessment
Determine patient understanding
Identify emotional state and coping skills
Check consent, pre anaesthetic form complete, other pre anaesthetic orders
• What does atelectasis mean? -✓✓ Collapse or closure of lung resulting in reduced
or absent gas exchange
,• List 5 ways to safely care for post op patients? -✓✓ Fluid balance input and
output
Pain management
Assessing wound
Vital signs every five minutes
Checking IV site
• What is meningitis? -✓✓ A serious disease in which there is inflammation of the
meninges
• Signs and symptoms of meningitis? -✓✓ Intense headache
Fever
Light sensitivity
Muscular rigidity
• Main cause of meningitis? -✓✓ Bacterial: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Viral: Enterovirus
• Signs of raised intercranial pressure? (4) -✓✓ Headache
Nausea
Increased bp
Confusion
,• What is the purpose of the nursing council? -✓✓ To protect the health and safety
of members of the public by ensuring RNs are registered, fit to practise, and
competent.
• Signs of otitis? (Ear infection/inflammation) -✓✓ Ear pain
Fever
Difficulty hearing
• What would you do if prescribed medication was not signed by the doctor? -✓✓
Do not give until a signature or verbal consent has been given with a witness
• Signs of a patient on methamphetamine? (5) -✓✓ Dilated pupils
Agitation
Increased bp
Loss of appetite
Paranoia
• List 5 pieces of advice to give a patient following a total hip replacement? -✓✓
Place a pillow between legs when lying on side
Avoid bending past 90 degrees
Avoid crossing legs
Sit on chairs higher than knee height
Take short frequent walks
• What is airway obstruction caused by? -✓✓ Tongue
Laryngospasm
, Retained secretions
Insufficient anaesthetic reversal
• Treatment for airway obstruction? -✓✓ Correct positioning
o2 therapy
Suctioning
Close monitoring
Viral signs
Anti emetics
• Manifestations of atelectasis? -✓✓ Insidious onset
Early s&s: cough, sputum, low grade fever
Later s&s: respiratory distress, dyspnoea, tachycardia, pleural pain, cyanosis,
anxiety
• What is a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Occurs from a deep vein thrombosis, clot
forms, travels to lungs or brain, life threatening
• Diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Chest X-ray
Ecg
Abg
Ultra sound
Pulmonary angiography
• How to prevent a pulmonary embolism? -✓✓ Pre op weight loss
