,Verified NUR 265 Exam 2 Test Bank & Guaranteed
Success Exam Prep Guide | Advanced Medical
Surgical Nursing | Galen College of Nursing | Q & A
| 2026/2027 Edition
1. A patient is 2 hours post-operative from abdominal surgery. Which finding requires
immediate notification of the surgeon?
A) Pain rated 5/10 on a 0-10 scale
B) Heart rate 110 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg
C) Urine output 40 mL/hr
D) Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
Correct Answer: B) Heart rate 110 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension in the immediate postoperative period is a critical
indicator of potential hypovolemia or internal hemorrhage. This hemodynamic instability
requires urgent surgical evaluation to prevent progression to hypovolemic shock. Urine output
of 40 mL/hr is acceptable (≥30 mL/hr). Low-grade fever (99.8°F) is common in the first 24 hours
post-op.
2. A patient received general anesthesia. What is the nurse's priority in the immediate post-
operative period?
A) Pain management
B) Airway patency
C) Wound assessment
D) Fluid replacement
,Correct Answer: B) Airway patency
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) form the foundation of post-anesthesia
care. Residual effects of anesthetics and muscle relaxants can cause airway obstruction or
respiratory depression. Ensuring a patent airway is always the first priority before addressing
pain, the surgical site, or fluid status.
3. Which patient is at highest risk for malignant hyperthermia?
A) A patient with a history of hypertension
B) A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia receiving volatile anesthetics
C) A patient with diabetes mellitus
D) A patient with a history of smoking
Correct Answer: B) A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia receiving volatile
anesthetics
Rationale: The highest risk for malignant hyperthermia is a patient with a family history of
malignant hyperthermia who is receiving volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane, sevoflurane) or
succinylcholine. Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction with autosomal dominant
inheritance.
4. A patient post-operative has a Jackson-Pratt drain with 150 mL of bright red blood in 1 hour.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Document as normal
, B) Empty the drain
C) Notify the provider
D) Apply pressure to the site
Correct Answer: C) Notify the provider
Rationale: Drainage >100 mL/hr of bright red blood suggests active bleeding. The provider
should be notified immediately. This may indicate hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention.
Documentation and drain emptying are secondary to reporting the finding.
5. A patient post-operative reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse suspects
pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A) Give aspirin
B) Apply oxygen and notify provider
C) Ambulate the patient
D) Administer morphine
Correct Answer: B) Apply oxygen and notify provider
Rationale: Oxygenation and rapid treatment are critical for pulmonary embolism. The priority is
to support oxygenation and notify the provider for further intervention (anticoagulation,
diagnostic studies). Aspirin is not the primary treatment for PE; ambulation would be
contraindicated.
Success Exam Prep Guide | Advanced Medical
Surgical Nursing | Galen College of Nursing | Q & A
| 2026/2027 Edition
1. A patient is 2 hours post-operative from abdominal surgery. Which finding requires
immediate notification of the surgeon?
A) Pain rated 5/10 on a 0-10 scale
B) Heart rate 110 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg
C) Urine output 40 mL/hr
D) Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
Correct Answer: B) Heart rate 110 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension in the immediate postoperative period is a critical
indicator of potential hypovolemia or internal hemorrhage. This hemodynamic instability
requires urgent surgical evaluation to prevent progression to hypovolemic shock. Urine output
of 40 mL/hr is acceptable (≥30 mL/hr). Low-grade fever (99.8°F) is common in the first 24 hours
post-op.
2. A patient received general anesthesia. What is the nurse's priority in the immediate post-
operative period?
A) Pain management
B) Airway patency
C) Wound assessment
D) Fluid replacement
,Correct Answer: B) Airway patency
Rationale: The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) form the foundation of post-anesthesia
care. Residual effects of anesthetics and muscle relaxants can cause airway obstruction or
respiratory depression. Ensuring a patent airway is always the first priority before addressing
pain, the surgical site, or fluid status.
3. Which patient is at highest risk for malignant hyperthermia?
A) A patient with a history of hypertension
B) A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia receiving volatile anesthetics
C) A patient with diabetes mellitus
D) A patient with a history of smoking
Correct Answer: B) A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia receiving volatile
anesthetics
Rationale: The highest risk for malignant hyperthermia is a patient with a family history of
malignant hyperthermia who is receiving volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane, sevoflurane) or
succinylcholine. Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction with autosomal dominant
inheritance.
4. A patient post-operative has a Jackson-Pratt drain with 150 mL of bright red blood in 1 hour.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Document as normal
, B) Empty the drain
C) Notify the provider
D) Apply pressure to the site
Correct Answer: C) Notify the provider
Rationale: Drainage >100 mL/hr of bright red blood suggests active bleeding. The provider
should be notified immediately. This may indicate hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention.
Documentation and drain emptying are secondary to reporting the finding.
5. A patient post-operative reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse suspects
pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A) Give aspirin
B) Apply oxygen and notify provider
C) Ambulate the patient
D) Administer morphine
Correct Answer: B) Apply oxygen and notify provider
Rationale: Oxygenation and rapid treatment are critical for pulmonary embolism. The priority is
to support oxygenation and notify the provider for further intervention (anticoagulation,
diagnostic studies). Aspirin is not the primary treatment for PE; ambulation would be
contraindicated.
