NUR 242 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM BANK 300 MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE OF THIS
YEAR.ASSURED PASS
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SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE NURSING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. Which assessment
finding requires immediate notification of the anesthesia provider?
A) Serum potassium 3.8 mEq/L
B) Loose tooth noted during assessment
C) Patient reports mild anxiety
D) Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A loose tooth poses an aspiration risk during intubation and extubation.
The anesthesia provider must be notified immediately to plan for careful airway
management. A potassium of 3.8 mEq/L is within normal limits (3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Mild anxiety is expected preoperatively. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg is within
normal range .
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Question 2
A diabetic patient receiving NPH insulin is NPO for surgery in the morning. What is
the priority action?
A) Hold all insulin until after surgery
B) Administer half the usual NPH dose with a small sip of juice
C) Clarify insulin dosing orders with the provider
D) Give full NPH dose subcutaneously as usual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The provider must specify insulin management for NPO patients to
avoid hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Holding all insulin may lead to
hyperglycemia; giving full dose may cause hypoglycemia. The safest action is to
clarify orders .
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Question 3
,Which patient statement indicates understanding of preoperative deep breathing
and coughing exercises?
A) "I will practice these only if I feel short of breath."
B) "I will take shallow breaths to avoid pain."
C) "I will splint my incision with a pillow while coughing."
D) "Coughing is discouraged after surgery."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Splinting the incision with a pillow reduces incisional pain and improves
cough effectiveness, helping prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia.
Deep breathing should be practiced regularly, not only when short of breath.
Shallow breathing promotes atelectasis .
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Question 4
Immediately after surgery, a patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88% on room air.
What is the first action?
A) Call a code blue
B) Increase oxygen to 4 L/min via nasal cannula
C) Assess airway patency and breath sounds
D) Suction the trachea
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The ABCs begin with airway assessment. The nurse must first assess for
airway obstruction, hypoventilation, or bronchospasm before intervening.
Increasing oxygen without assessment could mask an airway problem .
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Question 5
Which finding in the PACU suggests malignant hyperthermia?
A) Hypothermia and bradycardia
B) Muscle rigidity and hypercapnia
C) Hypertension and polyuria
D) Hypoglycemia and shivering
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia presents with muscle rigidity, tachypnea,
hypercapnia, tachycardia, and hyperthermia. This is a life-threatening emergency
requiring dantrolene administration. Hypothermia and bradycardia are not
characteristic .
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Question 6
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM BANK 300 MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE OF THIS
YEAR.ASSURED PASS
---
SECTION 1: PERIOPERATIVE NURSING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. Which assessment
finding requires immediate notification of the anesthesia provider?
A) Serum potassium 3.8 mEq/L
B) Loose tooth noted during assessment
C) Patient reports mild anxiety
D) Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A loose tooth poses an aspiration risk during intubation and extubation.
The anesthesia provider must be notified immediately to plan for careful airway
management. A potassium of 3.8 mEq/L is within normal limits (3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Mild anxiety is expected preoperatively. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg is within
normal range .
---
Question 2
A diabetic patient receiving NPH insulin is NPO for surgery in the morning. What is
the priority action?
A) Hold all insulin until after surgery
B) Administer half the usual NPH dose with a small sip of juice
C) Clarify insulin dosing orders with the provider
D) Give full NPH dose subcutaneously as usual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The provider must specify insulin management for NPO patients to
avoid hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Holding all insulin may lead to
hyperglycemia; giving full dose may cause hypoglycemia. The safest action is to
clarify orders .
---
Question 3
,Which patient statement indicates understanding of preoperative deep breathing
and coughing exercises?
A) "I will practice these only if I feel short of breath."
B) "I will take shallow breaths to avoid pain."
C) "I will splint my incision with a pillow while coughing."
D) "Coughing is discouraged after surgery."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Splinting the incision with a pillow reduces incisional pain and improves
cough effectiveness, helping prevent postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia.
Deep breathing should be practiced regularly, not only when short of breath.
Shallow breathing promotes atelectasis .
---
Question 4
Immediately after surgery, a patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88% on room air.
What is the first action?
A) Call a code blue
B) Increase oxygen to 4 L/min via nasal cannula
C) Assess airway patency and breath sounds
D) Suction the trachea
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: The ABCs begin with airway assessment. The nurse must first assess for
airway obstruction, hypoventilation, or bronchospasm before intervening.
Increasing oxygen without assessment could mask an airway problem .
---
Question 5
Which finding in the PACU suggests malignant hyperthermia?
A) Hypothermia and bradycardia
B) Muscle rigidity and hypercapnia
C) Hypertension and polyuria
D) Hypoglycemia and shivering
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia presents with muscle rigidity, tachypnea,
hypercapnia, tachycardia, and hyperthermia. This is a life-threatening emergency
requiring dantrolene administration. Hypothermia and bradycardia are not
characteristic .
---
Question 6
