Nursing 354 Perioperative Nursing
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. Which phase of the perioperative period includes the time from the decision to
have surgery until the patient is transferred to the operating room?
A. Intraoperative phase
B. Postoperative phase
C. Preoperative phase
D. Recovery phase
Answer: C. Preoperative phase
Rationale: The preoperative phase begins when the decision for surgery is made
and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating room.
2. What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent before surgery?
A. To document the patient's insurance coverage
B. To allow the nurse to explain the surgical procedure
C. To verify that the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and
,alternatives
D. To ensure that the patient will comply with postoperative instructions
Answer: C. To verify that the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives
Rationale: Informed consent establishes that the patient has received adequate
information and voluntarily agrees to the procedure. The provider performing
the procedure is responsible for explaining it.
3. A patient scheduled for surgery says, "I don't understand what the surgeon told
me about the procedure." What should the nurse do?
A. Explain the procedure in detail
B. Ask the family to explain it
C. Have the patient sign the consent anyway
D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs additional explanation
Answer: D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs additional explanation
Rationale: The healthcare provider performing the procedure must provide the
explanation necessary for informed consent. The nurse should identify gaps in
understanding and notify the provider.
4. Which preoperative finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Pulse of 82 beats/minute
C. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
D. New onset chest pain
Answer: D. New onset chest pain
Rationale: New chest pain may indicate an acute cardiovascular problem and
requires immediate assessment and provider notification before elective
surgery.
,5. Which intervention is most effective for reducing the risk of postoperative
respiratory complications?
A. Limiting oral fluids
B. Maintaining bed rest
C. Teaching deep breathing and coughing exercises
D. Avoiding pain medication
Answer: C. Teaching deep breathing and coughing exercises
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing promote lung expansion and secretion
clearance, helping prevent atelectasis and postoperative respiratory
complications.
6. Which patient factor increases the risk for postoperative wound infection?
A. Adequate nutritional intake
B. Normal blood glucose
C. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
D. Regular physical activity
Answer: C. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs immune function and wound healing and
increases the risk of surgical-site infection.
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I am extremely nervous about having surgery." What
is the best nursing response?
A. "There is nothing to worry about."
B. "You should try to relax."
C. "Everyone feels this way before surgery."
D. "Tell me what concerns you most about the surgery."
, Answer: D. "Tell me what concerns you most about the surgery."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the patient to express concerns
and allows the nurse to provide individualized emotional support.
8. Which preoperative assessment finding is especially important to communicate
to the anesthesia provider?
A. Favorite food
B. Preferred sleeping position
C. History of previous complications with anesthesia
D. Usual bedtime
Answer: C. History of previous complications with anesthesia
Rationale: Previous anesthesia complications may influence anesthesia selection
and perioperative monitoring requirements.
9. Why is the patient instructed to remain NPO before many surgical procedures?
A. To prevent constipation
B. To reduce postoperative pain
C. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D. To prevent postoperative infection
Answer: C. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: Anesthesia can reduce protective airway reflexes. An empty stomach
reduces the amount of gastric contents available for aspiration.
10. Which nursing action is appropriate immediately before a patient enters the
operating room?
A. Remove the patient's identification band
B. Encourage the patient to eat a light meal
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. Which phase of the perioperative period includes the time from the decision to
have surgery until the patient is transferred to the operating room?
A. Intraoperative phase
B. Postoperative phase
C. Preoperative phase
D. Recovery phase
Answer: C. Preoperative phase
Rationale: The preoperative phase begins when the decision for surgery is made
and ends when the patient is transferred to the operating room.
2. What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent before surgery?
A. To document the patient's insurance coverage
B. To allow the nurse to explain the surgical procedure
C. To verify that the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and
,alternatives
D. To ensure that the patient will comply with postoperative instructions
Answer: C. To verify that the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives
Rationale: Informed consent establishes that the patient has received adequate
information and voluntarily agrees to the procedure. The provider performing
the procedure is responsible for explaining it.
3. A patient scheduled for surgery says, "I don't understand what the surgeon told
me about the procedure." What should the nurse do?
A. Explain the procedure in detail
B. Ask the family to explain it
C. Have the patient sign the consent anyway
D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs additional explanation
Answer: D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs additional explanation
Rationale: The healthcare provider performing the procedure must provide the
explanation necessary for informed consent. The nurse should identify gaps in
understanding and notify the provider.
4. Which preoperative finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Pulse of 82 beats/minute
C. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
D. New onset chest pain
Answer: D. New onset chest pain
Rationale: New chest pain may indicate an acute cardiovascular problem and
requires immediate assessment and provider notification before elective
surgery.
,5. Which intervention is most effective for reducing the risk of postoperative
respiratory complications?
A. Limiting oral fluids
B. Maintaining bed rest
C. Teaching deep breathing and coughing exercises
D. Avoiding pain medication
Answer: C. Teaching deep breathing and coughing exercises
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing promote lung expansion and secretion
clearance, helping prevent atelectasis and postoperative respiratory
complications.
6. Which patient factor increases the risk for postoperative wound infection?
A. Adequate nutritional intake
B. Normal blood glucose
C. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
D. Regular physical activity
Answer: C. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Hyperglycemia impairs immune function and wound healing and
increases the risk of surgical-site infection.
7. A patient tells the nurse, "I am extremely nervous about having surgery." What
is the best nursing response?
A. "There is nothing to worry about."
B. "You should try to relax."
C. "Everyone feels this way before surgery."
D. "Tell me what concerns you most about the surgery."
, Answer: D. "Tell me what concerns you most about the surgery."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the patient to express concerns
and allows the nurse to provide individualized emotional support.
8. Which preoperative assessment finding is especially important to communicate
to the anesthesia provider?
A. Favorite food
B. Preferred sleeping position
C. History of previous complications with anesthesia
D. Usual bedtime
Answer: C. History of previous complications with anesthesia
Rationale: Previous anesthesia complications may influence anesthesia selection
and perioperative monitoring requirements.
9. Why is the patient instructed to remain NPO before many surgical procedures?
A. To prevent constipation
B. To reduce postoperative pain
C. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D. To prevent postoperative infection
Answer: C. To decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: Anesthesia can reduce protective airway reflexes. An empty stomach
reduces the amount of gastric contents available for aspiration.
10. Which nursing action is appropriate immediately before a patient enters the
operating room?
A. Remove the patient's identification band
B. Encourage the patient to eat a light meal
