Chapter 18: Preoperative Care
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-
Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
Exam Questions with Answers
User [Date] [Course title]
, A patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells thenurse, "I am afraid
that I will die in surgery like my mother did!" Which initial response would thenurse provide?
a. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
b. "Surgical techniques have improved in recent years."
c. "You will receive medication to reduce your anxiety."
d. "You should talk to thedoctor again about thesurgery." - Correct Answer: ANS: A
The patient's statement may indicate an unusually high anxiety level or a family history of problems such
as malignant hyperthermia, which will require precautions during surgery. theother statements may also
address thepatient's concerns, but further assessment is needed first.
A patient arrives at theoutpatient surgical center for a scheduled laparoscopy under general anesthesia.
Which information requires thenurse's intervention to maintain patient safety?
a. The patient has never had general anesthesia.
b. The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.
c. The patient drank a sip of water 4 hours before arriving.
d. The patient's insurance does not cover outpatient surgery. - Correct Answer: ANS: B
The patient should not drive after general anesthesia. thenurse will need to help thepatient identify a
means of safe transportation home. Clear liquids only require a minimum preoperative fasting period of
2 hours. thepatient's experience with anesthesia and thepatient's insurance coverage are important to
establish, but these are not safety issues
A 38-yr-old woman is admitted for an elective surgical procedure. Which information obtained by
thenurse during thepreoperative assessment must be communicated to theanesthesiologist and
surgeon before surgery?
a. The patient's lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control
b. The patient's history of an infection following a cholecystectomy
c. The patient's report that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago
d. The patient's concern about being able to resume lifting heavy items - Correct Answer: ANS: C
A last menstrual period 8 weeks ago in a woman of childbearing age suggests that thepatient could be
pregnant and pregnancy testing is needed before administration of anesthetic agents. Although
Harding: Lewis’s Medical-
Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition
Exam Questions with Answers
User [Date] [Course title]
, A patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells thenurse, "I am afraid
that I will die in surgery like my mother did!" Which initial response would thenurse provide?
a. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
b. "Surgical techniques have improved in recent years."
c. "You will receive medication to reduce your anxiety."
d. "You should talk to thedoctor again about thesurgery." - Correct Answer: ANS: A
The patient's statement may indicate an unusually high anxiety level or a family history of problems such
as malignant hyperthermia, which will require precautions during surgery. theother statements may also
address thepatient's concerns, but further assessment is needed first.
A patient arrives at theoutpatient surgical center for a scheduled laparoscopy under general anesthesia.
Which information requires thenurse's intervention to maintain patient safety?
a. The patient has never had general anesthesia.
b. The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.
c. The patient drank a sip of water 4 hours before arriving.
d. The patient's insurance does not cover outpatient surgery. - Correct Answer: ANS: B
The patient should not drive after general anesthesia. thenurse will need to help thepatient identify a
means of safe transportation home. Clear liquids only require a minimum preoperative fasting period of
2 hours. thepatient's experience with anesthesia and thepatient's insurance coverage are important to
establish, but these are not safety issues
A 38-yr-old woman is admitted for an elective surgical procedure. Which information obtained by
thenurse during thepreoperative assessment must be communicated to theanesthesiologist and
surgeon before surgery?
a. The patient's lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control
b. The patient's history of an infection following a cholecystectomy
c. The patient's report that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago
d. The patient's concern about being able to resume lifting heavy items - Correct Answer: ANS: C
A last menstrual period 8 weeks ago in a woman of childbearing age suggests that thepatient could be
pregnant and pregnancy testing is needed before administration of anesthetic agents. Although
