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PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE NURSING CARE (Questions 1-38)
1. A preoperative nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is
the priority action before surgery?
A. Verify the client's identity and surgical site
B. Administer preoperative antibiotics
C. Insert a urinary catheter
D. Apply sequential compression devices
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority action before surgery is to verify the client's identity and surgical
site to ensure the correct procedure is performed on the correct patient. This is a key
component of the Universal Protocol and patient safety. Administering antibiotics (B),
inserting a catheter (C), and applying SCDs (D) are important but secondary to patient
identification and site verification.
2. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client scheduled for surgery.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. The client will need to remain NPO for 8-12 hours before surgery
B. The client will receive general anesthesia
C. The client will have a urinary catheter inserted
D. The client will be discharged the same day
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients are typically required to remain NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8-12
hours before surgery to prevent aspiration during anesthesia. The type of anesthesia (B),
urinary catheter insertion (C), and discharge plan (D) vary depending on the surgery and
are not universal.
3. A nurse is assessing a preoperative client. Which of the following findings
requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
C. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
D. Temperature 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An elevated temperature (101.2°F) may indicate an infection, which could
lead to postponement of surgery. A blood pressure of 140/90 (A) is elevated but may be
manageable. A heart rate of 88 (B) is within normal limits. A blood glucose of 180 (C) is
elevated but may be managed with insulin.
4. A nurse is reviewing a client's preoperative laboratory results. Which of the
following values would be most concerning?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is elevated (hyperkalemia) and can cause
cardiac arrhythmias during surgery. Hemoglobin of 12 (A) is normal for a female.
Sodium of 138 (C) is normal. Creatinine of 1.0 (D) is normal.
5. A nurse is obtaining informed consent for surgery from a client. Which of the
following is the nurse's responsibility?
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A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witness the client's signature
C. Obtain the consent
D. Ensure the client understands the procedure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature on
the consent form. Explaining the risks and benefits (A) and obtaining consent (C) are the
provider's responsibility. Ensuring the client understands the procedure (D) is a
collaborative effort, but the nurse should clarify information as needed.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's allergies before surgery. Which of the following
allergies is most important to report?
A. Penicillin allergy
B. Latex allergy
C. Food allergy
D. Seasonal allergy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A latex allergy is critical to report before surgery because many surgical
supplies (gloves, catheters, drapes) contain latex and can cause a life-threatening
reaction. Penicillin allergy (A) is important but can be managed with alternative
antibiotics. Food (C) and seasonal (D) allergies are less critical in the surgical setting.
7. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will not eat or drink anything after midnight"
B. "I will remove my dentures before surgery"
C. "I will take my blood pressure medication as usual on the morning of surgery"
D. "I will remove my jewelry before surgery"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients may be instructed to hold certain medications (including blood
pressure medications) on the day of surgery, depending on the provider's orders and the
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type of surgery. Clients should clarify medication instructions with their provider. The
other statements are correct: NPO status (A), denture removal (B), and jewelry removal
(D) are standard preoperative instructions.
8. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is the most
important action to prevent surgical site infection?
A. Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of incision
B. Shave the surgical site the night before surgery
C. Keep the client NPO for 12 hours
D. Apply a warming blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision is
the most important action to prevent surgical site infections. Shaving the surgical site
(B) should be done immediately before surgery, not the night before. NPO status (C) is
for anesthesia safety. A warming blanket (D) prevents hypothermia.
9. A nurse is assessing a client's risk for thromboembolism. Which of the following
is a risk factor for thromboembolism?
A. Age over 40
B. Obesity
C. Smoking
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Age over 40 (A), obesity (B), and smoking (C) are all risk factors for
thromboembolism. All of these increase the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis
or pulmonary embolism.
10. A nurse is providing education to a client about preoperative bowel preparation.
Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. Drink clear liquids only after midnight
B. Take a laxative as prescribed
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: PREOPERATIVE NURSING CARE (Questions 1-38)
1. A preoperative nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is
the priority action before surgery?
A. Verify the client's identity and surgical site
B. Administer preoperative antibiotics
C. Insert a urinary catheter
D. Apply sequential compression devices
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority action before surgery is to verify the client's identity and surgical
site to ensure the correct procedure is performed on the correct patient. This is a key
component of the Universal Protocol and patient safety. Administering antibiotics (B),
inserting a catheter (C), and applying SCDs (D) are important but secondary to patient
identification and site verification.
2. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client scheduled for surgery.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. The client will need to remain NPO for 8-12 hours before surgery
B. The client will receive general anesthesia
C. The client will have a urinary catheter inserted
D. The client will be discharged the same day
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients are typically required to remain NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8-12
hours before surgery to prevent aspiration during anesthesia. The type of anesthesia (B),
urinary catheter insertion (C), and discharge plan (D) vary depending on the surgery and
are not universal.
3. A nurse is assessing a preoperative client. Which of the following findings
requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
C. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
D. Temperature 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An elevated temperature (101.2°F) may indicate an infection, which could
lead to postponement of surgery. A blood pressure of 140/90 (A) is elevated but may be
manageable. A heart rate of 88 (B) is within normal limits. A blood glucose of 180 (C) is
elevated but may be managed with insulin.
4. A nurse is reviewing a client's preoperative laboratory results. Which of the
following values would be most concerning?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is elevated (hyperkalemia) and can cause
cardiac arrhythmias during surgery. Hemoglobin of 12 (A) is normal for a female.
Sodium of 138 (C) is normal. Creatinine of 1.0 (D) is normal.
5. A nurse is obtaining informed consent for surgery from a client. Which of the
following is the nurse's responsibility?
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A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery
B. Witness the client's signature
C. Obtain the consent
D. Ensure the client understands the procedure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature on
the consent form. Explaining the risks and benefits (A) and obtaining consent (C) are the
provider's responsibility. Ensuring the client understands the procedure (D) is a
collaborative effort, but the nurse should clarify information as needed.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's allergies before surgery. Which of the following
allergies is most important to report?
A. Penicillin allergy
B. Latex allergy
C. Food allergy
D. Seasonal allergy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A latex allergy is critical to report before surgery because many surgical
supplies (gloves, catheters, drapes) contain latex and can cause a life-threatening
reaction. Penicillin allergy (A) is important but can be managed with alternative
antibiotics. Food (C) and seasonal (D) allergies are less critical in the surgical setting.
7. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will not eat or drink anything after midnight"
B. "I will remove my dentures before surgery"
C. "I will take my blood pressure medication as usual on the morning of surgery"
D. "I will remove my jewelry before surgery"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients may be instructed to hold certain medications (including blood
pressure medications) on the day of surgery, depending on the provider's orders and the
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type of surgery. Clients should clarify medication instructions with their provider. The
other statements are correct: NPO status (A), denture removal (B), and jewelry removal
(D) are standard preoperative instructions.
8. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which of the following is the most
important action to prevent surgical site infection?
A. Administer preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of incision
B. Shave the surgical site the night before surgery
C. Keep the client NPO for 12 hours
D. Apply a warming blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes of the incision is
the most important action to prevent surgical site infections. Shaving the surgical site
(B) should be done immediately before surgery, not the night before. NPO status (C) is
for anesthesia safety. A warming blanket (D) prevents hypothermia.
9. A nurse is assessing a client's risk for thromboembolism. Which of the following
is a risk factor for thromboembolism?
A. Age over 40
B. Obesity
C. Smoking
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Age over 40 (A), obesity (B), and smoking (C) are all risk factors for
thromboembolism. All of these increase the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis
or pulmonary embolism.
10. A nurse is providing education to a client about preoperative bowel preparation.
Which of the following should the nurse include?
A. Drink clear liquids only after midnight
B. Take a laxative as prescribed
