Final Exam: NUR201 / NUR 201 (Latest 2026
/ 2027 Update) Medical-Surgical Nursing I |
Questions and Verified Answers 100%
Correct | Grade A – Fortis College
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells the nurse, "I am afraid that I
will die in surgery like my mother did!" Which initial response should the nurse
provide?
A. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
B. "Surgical techniques have improved in recent years."
C. "You will receive medication to reduce your anxiety."
D. "You should talk to the doctor again about the surgery."
Correct Answer: A. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the patient's specific fears and concerns.
Active listening and therapeutic communication help identify underlying issues and
build trust.
Question 2
Which topic should the nurse discuss preoperatively with a patient scheduled for
an open cholecystectomy?
A. Care for the surgical incision
B. Deep breathing and coughing
C. Oral antibiotic therapy after discharge
D. Medications to be used during surgery
Correct Answer: B. Deep breathing and coughing
Rationale: Preoperative teaching for abdominal surgery should include deep breathing
and coughing exercises to prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia.
,Question 3
While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high
fever after surgery. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
A. Notify the patient that the surgery will be canceled.
B. Place a medical alert sticker on the front of the patient's chart.
C. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction to surgery.
D. Reassure the patient that his temperature will be monitored closely after surgery.
Correct Answer: C. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction
to surgery.
Rationale: Family history of high fever after surgery may indicate malignant
hyperthermia risk, requiring immediate communication with anesthesia.
Question 4
In the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), a patient's vital signs are BP 116/72, pulse
74, respirations 12, SpO2 91%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Place the patient in a side-lying position.
B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
C. Prepare to transfer the patient to a clinical unit.
D. Increase the rate of the postoperative IV fluids.
Correct Answer: B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
Rationale: SpO2 of 91% is below normal (target >95%). Encouraging deep breathing
can improve oxygenation. The patient is arousable, so respiratory status may improve
with stimulation.
Question 5
,On the second postoperative day, a patient's nasogastric (NG) tube is removed and
the patient begins drinking clear liquids. Four hours later, the patient reports
frequent, cramping gas pains. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Reinsert the NG tube.
B. Assist the patient to ambulate.
C. Place the patient on NPO status.
D. Give the prescribed PRN IV opioid.
Correct Answer: B. Assist the patient to ambulate.
Rationale: Gas pains are common after abdominal surgery. Ambulation helps stimulate
peristalsis and relieve gas accumulation.
Question 6
The nurse assesses a patient who had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago.
Which information is most important to communicate to the healthcare provider?
A. The patient's temperature is 100.3°F (37.9°C).
B. The patient's calf is swollen and warm to touch.
C. The patient reports abdominal pain when ambulating.
D. The patient has fluid intake 600 mL greater than the output.
Correct Answer: B. The patient's calf is swollen and warm to touch.
Rationale: A swollen, warm calf is a classic sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious
postoperative complication requiring immediate intervention.
Question 7
A patient rates their pain as 8 on a 0-10 pain scale. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer pain medication as prescribed
B. Apply heat to the painful area
C. Encourage relaxation techniques
D. Distract the patient with conversation
, Correct Answer: A. Administer pain medication as prescribed
Rationale: A pain rating of 8 out of 10 indicates severe pain requiring immediate
intervention. The nurse should administer prescribed pain medication and reassess.
Question 8
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of pain?
A. Vital sign changes
B. The patient's self-report
C. Behavioral changes
D. The nurse's observation
Correct Answer: B. The patient's self-report
Rationale: The patient's self-report of pain is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain is
subjective, and the patient is the best source of information.
Question 9
A patient is receiving morphine via PCA. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing an adverse effect?
A. Pain level 3/10
B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
C. Blood pressure 120/80
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression (RR <10) is a serious adverse effect of opioids. The
nurse should assess the patient and notify the provider.
Question 10
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
/ 2027 Update) Medical-Surgical Nursing I |
Questions and Verified Answers 100%
Correct | Grade A – Fortis College
Question 1
A patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells the nurse, "I am afraid that I
will die in surgery like my mother did!" Which initial response should the nurse
provide?
A. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
B. "Surgical techniques have improved in recent years."
C. "You will receive medication to reduce your anxiety."
D. "You should talk to the doctor again about the surgery."
Correct Answer: A. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the patient's specific fears and concerns.
Active listening and therapeutic communication help identify underlying issues and
build trust.
Question 2
Which topic should the nurse discuss preoperatively with a patient scheduled for
an open cholecystectomy?
A. Care for the surgical incision
B. Deep breathing and coughing
C. Oral antibiotic therapy after discharge
D. Medications to be used during surgery
Correct Answer: B. Deep breathing and coughing
Rationale: Preoperative teaching for abdominal surgery should include deep breathing
and coughing exercises to prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia.
,Question 3
While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high
fever after surgery. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
A. Notify the patient that the surgery will be canceled.
B. Place a medical alert sticker on the front of the patient's chart.
C. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction to surgery.
D. Reassure the patient that his temperature will be monitored closely after surgery.
Correct Answer: C. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction
to surgery.
Rationale: Family history of high fever after surgery may indicate malignant
hyperthermia risk, requiring immediate communication with anesthesia.
Question 4
In the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), a patient's vital signs are BP 116/72, pulse
74, respirations 12, SpO2 91%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Place the patient in a side-lying position.
B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
C. Prepare to transfer the patient to a clinical unit.
D. Increase the rate of the postoperative IV fluids.
Correct Answer: B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
Rationale: SpO2 of 91% is below normal (target >95%). Encouraging deep breathing
can improve oxygenation. The patient is arousable, so respiratory status may improve
with stimulation.
Question 5
,On the second postoperative day, a patient's nasogastric (NG) tube is removed and
the patient begins drinking clear liquids. Four hours later, the patient reports
frequent, cramping gas pains. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Reinsert the NG tube.
B. Assist the patient to ambulate.
C. Place the patient on NPO status.
D. Give the prescribed PRN IV opioid.
Correct Answer: B. Assist the patient to ambulate.
Rationale: Gas pains are common after abdominal surgery. Ambulation helps stimulate
peristalsis and relieve gas accumulation.
Question 6
The nurse assesses a patient who had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago.
Which information is most important to communicate to the healthcare provider?
A. The patient's temperature is 100.3°F (37.9°C).
B. The patient's calf is swollen and warm to touch.
C. The patient reports abdominal pain when ambulating.
D. The patient has fluid intake 600 mL greater than the output.
Correct Answer: B. The patient's calf is swollen and warm to touch.
Rationale: A swollen, warm calf is a classic sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious
postoperative complication requiring immediate intervention.
Question 7
A patient rates their pain as 8 on a 0-10 pain scale. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer pain medication as prescribed
B. Apply heat to the painful area
C. Encourage relaxation techniques
D. Distract the patient with conversation
, Correct Answer: A. Administer pain medication as prescribed
Rationale: A pain rating of 8 out of 10 indicates severe pain requiring immediate
intervention. The nurse should administer prescribed pain medication and reassess.
Question 8
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of pain?
A. Vital sign changes
B. The patient's self-report
C. Behavioral changes
D. The nurse's observation
Correct Answer: B. The patient's self-report
Rationale: The patient's self-report of pain is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain is
subjective, and the patient is the best source of information.
Question 9
A patient is receiving morphine via PCA. Which finding indicates the patient is
experiencing an adverse effect?
A. Pain level 3/10
B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
C. Blood pressure 120/80
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression (RR <10) is a serious adverse effect of opioids. The
nurse should assess the patient and notify the provider.
Question 10
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
