1
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Perioperative
Nursing and Surgical Care: Pre-op
Preparation, Intra-op Safety, and Post-op
Recovery
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Preoperative Nursing Responsibilities and Patient Preparation...........2
Topic 2: Intraoperative Safety and Roles of the Surgical Team......................10
Topic 3: Postoperative Recovery, Monitoring, and Complications..................18
Topic 4: Surgical Pain Management and Pharmacologic Considerations........26
Topic 5: Surgical Site Care, Wound Healing, and Infection Prevention...........33
Topic 6: Patient Education, Emotional Support, and Psychosocial Care in the
Perioperative Setting.....................................................................................41
Topic 7: Anesthesia Types, Monitoring, and Patient Safety............................49
Topic 8: Postoperative Complications and Nursing Interventions...................57
Topic 9: Surgical Equipment Handling and Sterile Technique.........................65
Topic 10: Anesthesia Types and Intraoperative Monitoring............................72
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Topic 1: Preoperative Nursing
Responsibilities and Patient Preparation
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action before
obtaining informed consent for surgery?
A. Administer preoperative sedative medications
B. Ensure the patient understands the procedure and has all questions
answered
C. Explain the surgical risks in detail to the patient
D. Document the physician’s discussion of the consent form
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must ensure that informed consent is signed after the
patient fully understands the procedure. It is the physician's responsibility to
explain the procedure, but the nurse verifies comprehension and witnesses
the signature.
2. A nurse is preparing a patient for elective surgery. Which preoperative
teaching point is most important to help prevent postoperative respiratory
complications?
A. Avoiding food 24 hours before surgery
B. Using incentive spirometry and performing deep breathing exercises
C. Taking pain medication only when needed
D. Practicing hand hygiene
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Incentive spirometry and deep breathing prevent atelectasis and
pneumonia, which are common postoperative respiratory complications.
3. When should a nurse notify the surgeon about a patient’s preoperative lab
result?
A. Hemoglobin: 14.2 g/dL
B. Potassium: 3.1 mEq/L
C. Platelet count: 250,000/mm³
D. WBC: 7,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias
under anesthesia. The surgeon must be informed before proceeding.
4. A patient states, “I don’t really understand what will happen during the
surgery.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "You already signed the consent."
B. "Let me notify the surgeon so your questions can be answered."
C. "It’s a routine procedure, don’t worry."
D. "I can explain it to you briefly."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s legal and ethical duty to provide procedure-
specific information. The nurse advocates by notifying the provider.
5. Which preoperative action helps reduce the risk of venous
thromboembolism (VTE)?
A. Keeping the patient NPO
B. Applying graduated compression stockings
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C. Administering antiemetics
D. Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compression stockings promote venous return and are a key VTE
prevention method in surgical patients.
6. What is the purpose of ensuring a patient has been NPO for 8 hours prior
to surgery?
A. Promote hydration
B. Prevent electrolyte imbalance
C. Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D. Ensure adequate sedation levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An empty stomach reduces aspiration risk when anesthesia is
administered.
7. Which of the following preoperative medications is commonly given to
reduce gastric acid secretion?
A. Lorazepam
B. Ranitidine
C. Furosemide
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ranitidine is an H2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid and lower
the risk of aspiration pneumonitis.
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Perioperative
Nursing and Surgical Care: Pre-op
Preparation, Intra-op Safety, and Post-op
Recovery
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Preoperative Nursing Responsibilities and Patient Preparation...........2
Topic 2: Intraoperative Safety and Roles of the Surgical Team......................10
Topic 3: Postoperative Recovery, Monitoring, and Complications..................18
Topic 4: Surgical Pain Management and Pharmacologic Considerations........26
Topic 5: Surgical Site Care, Wound Healing, and Infection Prevention...........33
Topic 6: Patient Education, Emotional Support, and Psychosocial Care in the
Perioperative Setting.....................................................................................41
Topic 7: Anesthesia Types, Monitoring, and Patient Safety............................49
Topic 8: Postoperative Complications and Nursing Interventions...................57
Topic 9: Surgical Equipment Handling and Sterile Technique.........................65
Topic 10: Anesthesia Types and Intraoperative Monitoring............................72
, 2
Topic 1: Preoperative Nursing
Responsibilities and Patient Preparation
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action before
obtaining informed consent for surgery?
A. Administer preoperative sedative medications
B. Ensure the patient understands the procedure and has all questions
answered
C. Explain the surgical risks in detail to the patient
D. Document the physician’s discussion of the consent form
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must ensure that informed consent is signed after the
patient fully understands the procedure. It is the physician's responsibility to
explain the procedure, but the nurse verifies comprehension and witnesses
the signature.
2. A nurse is preparing a patient for elective surgery. Which preoperative
teaching point is most important to help prevent postoperative respiratory
complications?
A. Avoiding food 24 hours before surgery
B. Using incentive spirometry and performing deep breathing exercises
C. Taking pain medication only when needed
D. Practicing hand hygiene
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: Incentive spirometry and deep breathing prevent atelectasis and
pneumonia, which are common postoperative respiratory complications.
3. When should a nurse notify the surgeon about a patient’s preoperative lab
result?
A. Hemoglobin: 14.2 g/dL
B. Potassium: 3.1 mEq/L
C. Platelet count: 250,000/mm³
D. WBC: 7,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias
under anesthesia. The surgeon must be informed before proceeding.
4. A patient states, “I don’t really understand what will happen during the
surgery.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. "You already signed the consent."
B. "Let me notify the surgeon so your questions can be answered."
C. "It’s a routine procedure, don’t worry."
D. "I can explain it to you briefly."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s legal and ethical duty to provide procedure-
specific information. The nurse advocates by notifying the provider.
5. Which preoperative action helps reduce the risk of venous
thromboembolism (VTE)?
A. Keeping the patient NPO
B. Applying graduated compression stockings
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C. Administering antiemetics
D. Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compression stockings promote venous return and are a key VTE
prevention method in surgical patients.
6. What is the purpose of ensuring a patient has been NPO for 8 hours prior
to surgery?
A. Promote hydration
B. Prevent electrolyte imbalance
C. Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D. Ensure adequate sedation levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An empty stomach reduces aspiration risk when anesthesia is
administered.
7. Which of the following preoperative medications is commonly given to
reduce gastric acid secretion?
A. Lorazepam
B. Ranitidine
C. Furosemide
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ranitidine is an H2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid and lower
the risk of aspiration pneumonitis.
