NSG 3105 WEEK 2: PERI-OPERATIVE
NURSING, PAIN EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
4 different surgical settings - ANS Emergency; Unexpected, urgent
Elective; Planned
Inpatient; same-day admission
Ambulatory; same-day surgery, usually under 2hrs, under 3-4hrs in PACU/PARR
Pre-operative interview includes information regarding: - ANS Which medications
(anticoagulants, ASA) or herbal remedies
NPO instructions
Pain management options
Infection prevention, wound care
Post-op discharge and care
Why should herbal remedies be stopped pre-op? - ANS We don't know enough about herbal
medications, often times pt will have to stop them pre-op. They are not regulated and generally
less understood.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,How do you reverse the effect of anticoagulant medications pre-operatively? - ANS Frozen
plasma or vitamin K
General goals of a pre-op nursing assessment - ANS Baseline date: vitals, bloodwork, systems
assessments
Review meds
Ensure pre-op labs and tests are completed and documented
Support for pt and family
Determine informed decision to have surgery
Influencing factors (Age, past experiences, current health, socioeconomic status)
Common fears related to surgery
Malignant hyperthermia - have you had an anesthetic or family history of malignant
hyperthermia?
Previous surgeries, medical conditions, Menstrual/OBS history
Past health history Familial disease, conditions, cardiac / endocrine
Diet
Current Medications Prescription, OTC, Herbal products, Dietary supplements, vitamins,
recreational
Malignant Hyperthermia - what are the important things to know for the pt pre-surgery? -
ANS Fast rise in blood temperature, severe muscle contractions following general anesthetic
- OFTEN HEREDITARY so we must know whether they have had anesthesia before and if there is
any family history of it.
Why do we ask about alcohol and drug use pre-op? - ANS Potential for altered effects or
ineffective doses of anesthesia and pain medication due to tolerance
Why do you ask about endocrine history pre-op? - ANS things like thyroid issues or diabetes -
some patients will need increased insulin and other medications while in hospital
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Why do we have to ask about diet pre-op? - ANS those on the keto diet will have high levels
of ketones in blood (could otherwise signify diabetes or dehydration)
What do you assess for the nervous system pre-op? - ANS Presence of glasses, hearing aids,
dentures to ensure they are kept safe - either labelled for the patient or kept with family.
Behaviours when anesthesia wears off
Cardiovascular pre-op assessment - ANS identify acute or chronic problems (angina,
hypertension, heart failure, recent MI, renal diasease, or diabetes)
identify any drugs or herbal supplements that may effect coagulation
identify pts with prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers or defibrillators
assess pt for edema noting location & severity
inspect neck for distention
obtain bilateral baseline for BP
assess pulses for rate, rhythm, & quality
Respiratory pre-op assessment - ANS identify acute or chronic problems (infection, COPD,
asthma & note the use of a CPAP machine)
assess history of smoking, including the time since the last cigarette & the pack year
determine baseline respiratory rate & rhythm
observe for cough, dyspnea, & use of accessory muscles of respiration
auscultate lungs for normal & adventitious sounds
Urinary system pre-op assessment - ANS Renal history, presence of an enlarged prostate due
to changes with catheterization ability, creatinine levels, Urea levels, problems with voiding,
Advise of potential for bladder spasms
Why do they measure creatinine levels before a contrast CT? - ANS Because there is a risk of
contrast-induced kidney injury that could be exacerbated by contrast
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
NURSING, PAIN EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
4 different surgical settings - ANS Emergency; Unexpected, urgent
Elective; Planned
Inpatient; same-day admission
Ambulatory; same-day surgery, usually under 2hrs, under 3-4hrs in PACU/PARR
Pre-operative interview includes information regarding: - ANS Which medications
(anticoagulants, ASA) or herbal remedies
NPO instructions
Pain management options
Infection prevention, wound care
Post-op discharge and care
Why should herbal remedies be stopped pre-op? - ANS We don't know enough about herbal
medications, often times pt will have to stop them pre-op. They are not regulated and generally
less understood.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,How do you reverse the effect of anticoagulant medications pre-operatively? - ANS Frozen
plasma or vitamin K
General goals of a pre-op nursing assessment - ANS Baseline date: vitals, bloodwork, systems
assessments
Review meds
Ensure pre-op labs and tests are completed and documented
Support for pt and family
Determine informed decision to have surgery
Influencing factors (Age, past experiences, current health, socioeconomic status)
Common fears related to surgery
Malignant hyperthermia - have you had an anesthetic or family history of malignant
hyperthermia?
Previous surgeries, medical conditions, Menstrual/OBS history
Past health history Familial disease, conditions, cardiac / endocrine
Diet
Current Medications Prescription, OTC, Herbal products, Dietary supplements, vitamins,
recreational
Malignant Hyperthermia - what are the important things to know for the pt pre-surgery? -
ANS Fast rise in blood temperature, severe muscle contractions following general anesthetic
- OFTEN HEREDITARY so we must know whether they have had anesthesia before and if there is
any family history of it.
Why do we ask about alcohol and drug use pre-op? - ANS Potential for altered effects or
ineffective doses of anesthesia and pain medication due to tolerance
Why do you ask about endocrine history pre-op? - ANS things like thyroid issues or diabetes -
some patients will need increased insulin and other medications while in hospital
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Why do we have to ask about diet pre-op? - ANS those on the keto diet will have high levels
of ketones in blood (could otherwise signify diabetes or dehydration)
What do you assess for the nervous system pre-op? - ANS Presence of glasses, hearing aids,
dentures to ensure they are kept safe - either labelled for the patient or kept with family.
Behaviours when anesthesia wears off
Cardiovascular pre-op assessment - ANS identify acute or chronic problems (angina,
hypertension, heart failure, recent MI, renal diasease, or diabetes)
identify any drugs or herbal supplements that may effect coagulation
identify pts with prosthetic heart valves, pacemakers or defibrillators
assess pt for edema noting location & severity
inspect neck for distention
obtain bilateral baseline for BP
assess pulses for rate, rhythm, & quality
Respiratory pre-op assessment - ANS identify acute or chronic problems (infection, COPD,
asthma & note the use of a CPAP machine)
assess history of smoking, including the time since the last cigarette & the pack year
determine baseline respiratory rate & rhythm
observe for cough, dyspnea, & use of accessory muscles of respiration
auscultate lungs for normal & adventitious sounds
Urinary system pre-op assessment - ANS Renal history, presence of an enlarged prostate due
to changes with catheterization ability, creatinine levels, Urea levels, problems with voiding,
Advise of potential for bladder spasms
Why do they measure creatinine levels before a contrast CT? - ANS Because there is a risk of
contrast-induced kidney injury that could be exacerbated by contrast
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
