Nightingale College BSN 246
HESI: Perioperative Care Questions Verified and Provided with A+
Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
The 63-year-old client arrives at the surgery center BP of 160/88 mmHg.
for her preoperative appointment. She is
scheduled to undergo left hip replacement
surgery in 1 week.
The nurse begins the preoperative assessment by
taking the client's vital signs.
The nurse reviews the client's medications. The
client indicates that she has been taking two
medications; hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, and
warfarin , an anticoagulant, every day for more
than a year.
Which vital sign requires follow-up by the nurse?
What nursing action is most important? Explain the need to withhold the warfarin prior to surgery.
Anticoagulants increase the risk for bleeding during surgery and the
postoperative period, so the nurse must explain the need to withhold
the warfarin prior to surgery and instruct the client to contact the
surgeon to determine how long before surgery the medication should
be stopped.
The nurse then reviews the client's preoperative WBC of 14,000/μL (4.0 x 109/L).
lab test results drawn earlier in the week. The normal WBC count is 4,000 to 10,000/μL (4.0-10 x 109/L). An increase
Which serum lab value requires follow-up by the may indicate the onset of an infection, which may be a contraindication
nurse? to surgery. The nurse should notify the surgeon of this abnormal lab
value.
The nurse talks with the client about what to Demonstrate the deep breathing and coughing technique again.
expect the day of surgery and during The client has demonstrated incorrect technique. When performing
the deep breathing exercises, the client should inhale through the nose and
immediate postoperative period. The nurse exhale slowly through the mouth without pursing the lips. The nurse
provides instructions regarding cough and deep should demonstrate the entire procedure again for best learning by the
breathing exercises. The client performs a return client.
demonstration by breathing in deeply
through
their mouth and exhaling forcefully and
rapidly through pursed lips.
What action should the nurse implement?
When the nurse begins teaching about the benefits "Bedsores are one of many problems that can occur from prolonged
of early mobilization following surgery, the client bedrest."
states, "Oh, I know if I stay in bed very long I will This response acknowledges the client's previous learning and
get bedsores." promotes further learning related to other complications of immobility
How should the nurse respond? such as thrombus formation, constipation, and atelectasis.
The nurse discusses postoperative pain "The pump has a control device that prevents you from taking too much
management with the client and explains the use medicine."
of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The This response provides the client with the information needed to
client expresses fear that they might accidentally understand that she cannot overdose herself while she is sedated after
overdose herself, since they will be sleepy surgery.
after
surgery.
How should the nurse respond?
HESI: Perioperative Care Questions Verified and Provided with A+
Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
The 63-year-old client arrives at the surgery center BP of 160/88 mmHg.
for her preoperative appointment. She is
scheduled to undergo left hip replacement
surgery in 1 week.
The nurse begins the preoperative assessment by
taking the client's vital signs.
The nurse reviews the client's medications. The
client indicates that she has been taking two
medications; hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, and
warfarin , an anticoagulant, every day for more
than a year.
Which vital sign requires follow-up by the nurse?
What nursing action is most important? Explain the need to withhold the warfarin prior to surgery.
Anticoagulants increase the risk for bleeding during surgery and the
postoperative period, so the nurse must explain the need to withhold
the warfarin prior to surgery and instruct the client to contact the
surgeon to determine how long before surgery the medication should
be stopped.
The nurse then reviews the client's preoperative WBC of 14,000/μL (4.0 x 109/L).
lab test results drawn earlier in the week. The normal WBC count is 4,000 to 10,000/μL (4.0-10 x 109/L). An increase
Which serum lab value requires follow-up by the may indicate the onset of an infection, which may be a contraindication
nurse? to surgery. The nurse should notify the surgeon of this abnormal lab
value.
The nurse talks with the client about what to Demonstrate the deep breathing and coughing technique again.
expect the day of surgery and during The client has demonstrated incorrect technique. When performing
the deep breathing exercises, the client should inhale through the nose and
immediate postoperative period. The nurse exhale slowly through the mouth without pursing the lips. The nurse
provides instructions regarding cough and deep should demonstrate the entire procedure again for best learning by the
breathing exercises. The client performs a return client.
demonstration by breathing in deeply
through
their mouth and exhaling forcefully and
rapidly through pursed lips.
What action should the nurse implement?
When the nurse begins teaching about the benefits "Bedsores are one of many problems that can occur from prolonged
of early mobilization following surgery, the client bedrest."
states, "Oh, I know if I stay in bed very long I will This response acknowledges the client's previous learning and
get bedsores." promotes further learning related to other complications of immobility
How should the nurse respond? such as thrombus formation, constipation, and atelectasis.
The nurse discusses postoperative pain "The pump has a control device that prevents you from taking too much
management with the client and explains the use medicine."
of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The This response provides the client with the information needed to
client expresses fear that they might accidentally understand that she cannot overdose herself while she is sedated after
overdose herself, since they will be sleepy surgery.
after
surgery.
How should the nurse respond?
