NSG 223 MED SURG 2 HESI FINAL EXAM – COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK
Herzing University | 2026 Updated | 200+ Questions with Correct Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE (Questions 1-20)
1. What are the three phases of the perioperative experience? Correct
Answer: B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
A) Admission, surgery, discharge
B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
C) Assessment, diagnosis, treatment
D) Acute, chronic, recovery
Rationale: The perioperative experience is classically divided into three
phases: preoperative (physical and psychological preparation), intraoperative
(from OR entry to recovery transfer), and postoperative (recovery, monitoring,
and complication prevention). ---
,2. A male client who had colon surgery 3 days ago is anxious and requesting
assistance to reposition. While the nurse is turning him, the wound
dehiscences and eviscerates. The nurse moistens an available sterile
dressing and places it over the wound. Which intervention should the nurse
implement next? Correct Answer: B) Prepare the client to return to the OR
A) Bring additional sterile dressing supplies to the room
B) Prepare the client to return to the OR
C) Obtain a sample of the drainage to send to the lab
D) Auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds
Rationale: Wound dehiscence with evisceration is a surgical emergency. After
covering the exposed organs with a moist sterile dressing, the priority is to
prepare the client for emergency surgery. Bringing additional supplies is not
the immediate priority. ---
3. A client is 4 hours post-operative from a total hip replacement. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention? Correct Answer: C)
Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
A) Pain rated 6/10 at the surgical site
B) Urine output of 40 mL over the past hour
C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D) Heart rate of 88 bpm
,Rationale: An SpO₂ of 88% indicates hypoxemia and may suggest pulmonary
complications such as atelectasis, pulmonary embolism, or pneumonia. This
requires immediate intervention. ---
4. The nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after a thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding is most concerning? Correct Answer: C) Client has stridor
and respiratory distress
A) Client reports a sore throat
B) Client reports difficulty swallowing
C) Client has stridor and respiratory distress
D) Client has a hoarse voice
Rationale: Stridor and respiratory distress after thyroidectomy may indicate
laryngeal edema, hematoma causing airway compression, or hypocalcemia-
induced laryngospasm. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention. ---
5. A client is scheduled for surgery and reports taking aspirin daily for
arthritis. Which action should the nurse take? Correct Answer: B) Notify the
surgeon immediately
A) Document the finding and proceed with surgery
B) Notify the surgeon immediately
, C) Instruct the client to take the aspirin as usual
D) Administer vitamin K
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and increases bleeding risk.
Surgery may need to be postponed until the effects of aspirin have resolved
(typically 5-7 days). ---
6. The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which assessment finding
requires further evaluation before proceeding? Correct Answer: C) Client
reports chest pain and shortness of breath
A) Client reports anxiety about the procedure
B) Client has a history of smoking
C) Client reports chest pain and shortness of breath
D) Client has a temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
Rationale: Chest pain and shortness of breath may indicate cardiac or
respiratory instability that requires further evaluation before surgery. ---
7. A client is 24 hours post-operative from an open cholecystectomy. Which
finding indicates a potential complication? Correct Answer: B) Temperature
of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
A) Incisional pain rated 4/10
B) Temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
Herzing University | 2026 Updated | 200+ Questions with Correct Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE CARE (Questions 1-20)
1. What are the three phases of the perioperative experience? Correct
Answer: B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
A) Admission, surgery, discharge
B) Preoperative, Intraoperative, Postoperative
C) Assessment, diagnosis, treatment
D) Acute, chronic, recovery
Rationale: The perioperative experience is classically divided into three
phases: preoperative (physical and psychological preparation), intraoperative
(from OR entry to recovery transfer), and postoperative (recovery, monitoring,
and complication prevention). ---
,2. A male client who had colon surgery 3 days ago is anxious and requesting
assistance to reposition. While the nurse is turning him, the wound
dehiscences and eviscerates. The nurse moistens an available sterile
dressing and places it over the wound. Which intervention should the nurse
implement next? Correct Answer: B) Prepare the client to return to the OR
A) Bring additional sterile dressing supplies to the room
B) Prepare the client to return to the OR
C) Obtain a sample of the drainage to send to the lab
D) Auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds
Rationale: Wound dehiscence with evisceration is a surgical emergency. After
covering the exposed organs with a moist sterile dressing, the priority is to
prepare the client for emergency surgery. Bringing additional supplies is not
the immediate priority. ---
3. A client is 4 hours post-operative from a total hip replacement. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention? Correct Answer: C)
Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
A) Pain rated 6/10 at the surgical site
B) Urine output of 40 mL over the past hour
C) Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D) Heart rate of 88 bpm
,Rationale: An SpO₂ of 88% indicates hypoxemia and may suggest pulmonary
complications such as atelectasis, pulmonary embolism, or pneumonia. This
requires immediate intervention. ---
4. The nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after a thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding is most concerning? Correct Answer: C) Client has stridor
and respiratory distress
A) Client reports a sore throat
B) Client reports difficulty swallowing
C) Client has stridor and respiratory distress
D) Client has a hoarse voice
Rationale: Stridor and respiratory distress after thyroidectomy may indicate
laryngeal edema, hematoma causing airway compression, or hypocalcemia-
induced laryngospasm. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate
intervention. ---
5. A client is scheduled for surgery and reports taking aspirin daily for
arthritis. Which action should the nurse take? Correct Answer: B) Notify the
surgeon immediately
A) Document the finding and proceed with surgery
B) Notify the surgeon immediately
, C) Instruct the client to take the aspirin as usual
D) Administer vitamin K
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and increases bleeding risk.
Surgery may need to be postponed until the effects of aspirin have resolved
(typically 5-7 days). ---
6. The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which assessment finding
requires further evaluation before proceeding? Correct Answer: C) Client
reports chest pain and shortness of breath
A) Client reports anxiety about the procedure
B) Client has a history of smoking
C) Client reports chest pain and shortness of breath
D) Client has a temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
Rationale: Chest pain and shortness of breath may indicate cardiac or
respiratory instability that requires further evaluation before surgery. ---
7. A client is 24 hours post-operative from an open cholecystectomy. Which
finding indicates a potential complication? Correct Answer: B) Temperature
of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
A) Incisional pain rated 4/10
B) Temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°C)
