NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing 2026 UPDA… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing 2026 UPDA… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for obtaining informed consent from the
patient?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Surgeon
C. The Anesthesiologist
D. The Scrub Technician
Answer: B
Rationale: While the nurse may witness the signature, it is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the
procedure, risks, and benefits to obtain informed consent. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A patient mentions an allergy to bananas and avocados. The nurse should prioritize
assessing for a possible allergy to which substance?
A. Iodine
B. Latex
C. Penicillin
D. Adhesive tape
Answer: B
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain fruits like bananas, avocados, and kiwi with latex
allergy. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating room?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To verify correct patient, site, and procedure
C. To administer pre-operative medications
D. To document the start of anesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol ‘Time-Out’ is a safety measure to ensure the correct patient, correct site,
and correct procedure are identified before the first incision. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing 2026 UPDA… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which medication is the antidote used to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific pharmacological treatment for
Malignant Hyperthermia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice
and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. Upon arrival in the PACU, what is the nurse’s first priority assessment?
A. Pain level
B. Surgical dressing
C. Airway patency
D. Urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the ABCs of nursing, maintaining a patent airway and ensuring adequate ventilation is
the first priority in the immediate postoperative period. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. A nurse observes a patient’s surgical wound has separated and internal organs are
protruding. What is the immediate action?
A. Push the organs back in gently
B. Cover the area with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
C. Call the family to provide support
D. Apply a tight pressure dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evisceration. The nurse should cover the protruding organs with sterile, saline-soaked
dressings and notify the surgeon immediately while keeping the patient calm. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing 2026 UPDA… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for obtaining informed consent from the
patient?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Surgeon
C. The Anesthesiologist
D. The Scrub Technician
Answer: B
Rationale: While the nurse may witness the signature, it is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the
procedure, risks, and benefits to obtain informed consent. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the
ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. A patient mentions an allergy to bananas and avocados. The nurse should prioritize
assessing for a possible allergy to which substance?
A. Iodine
B. Latex
C. Penicillin
D. Adhesive tape
Answer: B
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain fruits like bananas, avocados, and kiwi with latex
allergy. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating room?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To verify correct patient, site, and procedure
C. To administer pre-operative medications
D. To document the start of anesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: The Universal Protocol ‘Time-Out’ is a safety measure to ensure the correct patient, correct site,
and correct procedure are identified before the first incision. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 1 – Perioperative Nursing 2026 UPDA… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which medication is the antidote used to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Dantrolene
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific pharmacological treatment for
Malignant Hyperthermia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice
and improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
5. Upon arrival in the PACU, what is the nurse’s first priority assessment?
A. Pain level
B. Surgical dressing
C. Airway patency
D. Urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the ABCs of nursing, maintaining a patent airway and ensuring adequate ventilation is
the first priority in the immediate postoperative period. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
6. A nurse observes a patient’s surgical wound has separated and internal organs are
protruding. What is the immediate action?
A. Push the organs back in gently
B. Cover the area with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
C. Call the family to provide support
D. Apply a tight pressure dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: This is an evisceration. The nurse should cover the protruding organs with sterile, saline-soaked
dressings and notify the surgeon immediately while keeping the patient calm. Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
