ADULT HEALTH EXAM 1 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION AND
RATIONALES 2026\2027 UPDATED
GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who has bradycardia following a surgical
procedure using spinal anesthesia. The nurse should plan to administer
which of the following medications to the client?
a. amiodarone
b. propranolol
c. methyldopa
d. epinephrine correct answer d. epinerphrine
(epinephrine is a vasopressor which would increase the client's heart rate
and prevent cardiac arrest
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative and has a closed-
wound drainage system in place. which of the following interventions
should the nurse plan include?
a. check the patency of the drain every 12 hours
b. clamp the drain while the client is ambulating
c. cleanse the drain plug with alcohol after emptying
d. secure the drain to the client's bed sheet correct answer c. cleanse the
drain plug with alcohol after emptying
(after emptying the drain, the nurse should use one hand to compress the
top and bottom of the device together and the other to cleanse the plug
before placing it. Nurse should check amount, color, and type of drainage
at least every 8 hours)
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is scheduled for an
elective surgery. Which of the following medications should the nurse
expect the provider to discontinue prior to surgery to minimize the risk of
complications?
,a. cefazolin
b. digoxin
c. ondansetron
d. warfarin correct answer d. warfarin
( the nurse should anticipate that they will discontinue warfarin because it
increases the risk of bleeding during and following surgery. digoxin does
not increase client's risk for surgical complications)
a surgical nurse enters a surgical suite to ensure surgical asepsis is
maintained. which of the following requires intervention by the nurse?
a. the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
b. the circulating nurse opens dressing packages before applying sterile
gloves
c. the surgeon has her hands folded 2 inches above her waist
d. the holding area nurse is performing client educaiton correct answer a.
the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
(finger and wrist jewelry are likely contaminated with microorganisms and
bacteria)
A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who is postoperative
following abdominal surgery. Which of the following client statements
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will have an increase in yellow-colored drainage from my incision for 2
weeks"
b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery"
c. "I should avoid taking OTC pain medication if my pain is not severe
d. "I will remain on bed rest until my follow-up appointment with my doctor
correct answer b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C
during my recovery (which promotes wound healing)
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative and is asking multiple
questions about the risks of the procedure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
a. explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client
,b. Ask the surgeon to speak to the client for verification
c. reassure the client that the procedure is necessary for recovery
d. notify the circulating nurse that the client has questions about the
procedure correct answer b. ask the surgeon to speak to the client for
clarification
(It is the responsibility of the surgeon to explain the risks and benefits of the
surgery.)
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postop following a total
prostatectomy. The nurse notes that the client's right calf is red,
edematous, and warm to the touch. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
a. apply an ice pack to the client's right calf
b. elevate the client's right extremity
c. administer testosterone to the client
d. gently massage the client's right calf correct answer b. elevate the
client's right extremity (These findings suggest the client has deep-vein
thrombosis. The nurse should keep the client's right extremity elevated to
promote venous return.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound with a Penrose
drain in place. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to
perform?
a. cut a slit in a 4-inch gauze pad to place around the drain
b. use sterile technique when performing dressing changes
c. establish a clamping schedule prior to removal
d. apply negative pressure when emptying the drain correct answer b. use
the sterile technique when performing dressing changes
(The nurse should change the Penrose drain dressing using the surgical
aseptic technique. A drain sponge should be used around a Penrose drain.
A gauze pad should never be cut and used around a drain due to the risk of
dressing fibers becoming embedded in the wound. Establish a clamping
schedule prior to removal.
Clamping a Penrose drain can lead to infection. A Penrose drain is an open
system and drains by gravity.)
, A nurse is assessing the client's recovery from spinal anesthesia. Which of
the following sensations should the nurse expect to return to the client first?
a. pain
b. cold
c. touch
d. warmth correct answer c. touch
(first touch, then pain, then warmth, then cold)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hour postop from a gastrectomy and
has an NG tube set to continuous low suction. Which of the following
findings requires intervention by the nurse?
a. gastric distention
b. absent bowel sounds
c. urine output of 150 mL over the last 4 hours
d. yellow drainage in the NG tube correct answer a. gastric distention
(Gastric distention is an indication that the NG tube is not patent. The nurse
should check the tubing for kinks, blockages, and loose connections. The
nurse should also reposition the client to facilitate drainage. The nurse
should avoid removing or irrigating the tube unless directed to do so by the
surgeon.)
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to undergo
moderate sedation for a bronchoscopy. The nurse should verify that the
client understands the procedure when the client states the following?
a. "I will need a bowel prep the day before the procedure"
b. "I will drink plenty of fluids he morning of the procedure
c. "I can eat as soon as the procedure is over."
d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure."
correct answer d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the
procedure."
A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during a
surgical procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take if
the client develops manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION AND
RATIONALES 2026\2027 UPDATED
GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who has bradycardia following a surgical
procedure using spinal anesthesia. The nurse should plan to administer
which of the following medications to the client?
a. amiodarone
b. propranolol
c. methyldopa
d. epinephrine correct answer d. epinerphrine
(epinephrine is a vasopressor which would increase the client's heart rate
and prevent cardiac arrest
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative and has a closed-
wound drainage system in place. which of the following interventions
should the nurse plan include?
a. check the patency of the drain every 12 hours
b. clamp the drain while the client is ambulating
c. cleanse the drain plug with alcohol after emptying
d. secure the drain to the client's bed sheet correct answer c. cleanse the
drain plug with alcohol after emptying
(after emptying the drain, the nurse should use one hand to compress the
top and bottom of the device together and the other to cleanse the plug
before placing it. Nurse should check amount, color, and type of drainage
at least every 8 hours)
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is scheduled for an
elective surgery. Which of the following medications should the nurse
expect the provider to discontinue prior to surgery to minimize the risk of
complications?
,a. cefazolin
b. digoxin
c. ondansetron
d. warfarin correct answer d. warfarin
( the nurse should anticipate that they will discontinue warfarin because it
increases the risk of bleeding during and following surgery. digoxin does
not increase client's risk for surgical complications)
a surgical nurse enters a surgical suite to ensure surgical asepsis is
maintained. which of the following requires intervention by the nurse?
a. the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
b. the circulating nurse opens dressing packages before applying sterile
gloves
c. the surgeon has her hands folded 2 inches above her waist
d. the holding area nurse is performing client educaiton correct answer a.
the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
(finger and wrist jewelry are likely contaminated with microorganisms and
bacteria)
A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who is postoperative
following abdominal surgery. Which of the following client statements
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will have an increase in yellow-colored drainage from my incision for 2
weeks"
b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery"
c. "I should avoid taking OTC pain medication if my pain is not severe
d. "I will remain on bed rest until my follow-up appointment with my doctor
correct answer b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C
during my recovery (which promotes wound healing)
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative and is asking multiple
questions about the risks of the procedure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
a. explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client
,b. Ask the surgeon to speak to the client for verification
c. reassure the client that the procedure is necessary for recovery
d. notify the circulating nurse that the client has questions about the
procedure correct answer b. ask the surgeon to speak to the client for
clarification
(It is the responsibility of the surgeon to explain the risks and benefits of the
surgery.)
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postop following a total
prostatectomy. The nurse notes that the client's right calf is red,
edematous, and warm to the touch. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
a. apply an ice pack to the client's right calf
b. elevate the client's right extremity
c. administer testosterone to the client
d. gently massage the client's right calf correct answer b. elevate the
client's right extremity (These findings suggest the client has deep-vein
thrombosis. The nurse should keep the client's right extremity elevated to
promote venous return.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound with a Penrose
drain in place. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to
perform?
a. cut a slit in a 4-inch gauze pad to place around the drain
b. use sterile technique when performing dressing changes
c. establish a clamping schedule prior to removal
d. apply negative pressure when emptying the drain correct answer b. use
the sterile technique when performing dressing changes
(The nurse should change the Penrose drain dressing using the surgical
aseptic technique. A drain sponge should be used around a Penrose drain.
A gauze pad should never be cut and used around a drain due to the risk of
dressing fibers becoming embedded in the wound. Establish a clamping
schedule prior to removal.
Clamping a Penrose drain can lead to infection. A Penrose drain is an open
system and drains by gravity.)
, A nurse is assessing the client's recovery from spinal anesthesia. Which of
the following sensations should the nurse expect to return to the client first?
a. pain
b. cold
c. touch
d. warmth correct answer c. touch
(first touch, then pain, then warmth, then cold)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hour postop from a gastrectomy and
has an NG tube set to continuous low suction. Which of the following
findings requires intervention by the nurse?
a. gastric distention
b. absent bowel sounds
c. urine output of 150 mL over the last 4 hours
d. yellow drainage in the NG tube correct answer a. gastric distention
(Gastric distention is an indication that the NG tube is not patent. The nurse
should check the tubing for kinks, blockages, and loose connections. The
nurse should also reposition the client to facilitate drainage. The nurse
should avoid removing or irrigating the tube unless directed to do so by the
surgeon.)
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to undergo
moderate sedation for a bronchoscopy. The nurse should verify that the
client understands the procedure when the client states the following?
a. "I will need a bowel prep the day before the procedure"
b. "I will drink plenty of fluids he morning of the procedure
c. "I can eat as soon as the procedure is over."
d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure."
correct answer d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the
procedure."
A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during a
surgical procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take if
the client develops manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
