med surg-1 Exam Study Guide –
Practice Questions with
Answers. Updated 2026
the preoperative patient asks why the dose of warfarin is being withheld.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
a." the medication is contraindicated with he type of anesthesia you are
receiving"
b.this medication could cause excessive bleeding during surgery if it is not
stopped beforehand.
c. All unnecessary medications are stopped before surgery to prevent you from
vomiting under anesthesia?
D. this medication may increase respiratory depression associated with
anesthetic agents and must be avoided - Ans✔✔-b.this medication could cause
excessive bleeding during surgery if it is not stopped beforehand.
,A patient taking warfarin and digoxin for treatment of atrial fibrillation is
instructed to discontinue the use prior to surgery. The nurse would closely
monitor this patient for which complication?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. increased BP
C.Excessive bleeding from incision sites
D. increased peripheral vascular resistance - Ans✔✔-A. Pulmonary embolism
rationale: warfarin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent mural thrombi
from forming on the walls of the atria during atrial fibrillation.
which nursing interventions would be included in preoperative assessment and
teaching plan for an older adult?select all that apply.
A. administer a sedative to relieve fear and anxiety
B. help patient walk safely to the operating room
c. coordinate assessment with the team of health care providers
D. speak slowly when giving preoperative instructions to the patient
E. understand that the patient may have sensory and cognitive deficits -
Ans✔✔-C,D,E
,An unconscious patient needs to undergo emergency surgery and has no family
members or friends available. Which action would the nurse take regarding
obtaining consent for the surgery?
a. call the local magistrate to get consent for the surgery.
b. obtain consent form a legally appointment representative
c. avoid giving any treatment because it is illegal to treat without consent
d. proceed with plans for surgery; consent is not required for a true medical
emergency. - Ans✔✔-d. proceed with plans for surgery; consent is not required
for a true medical emergency.
Rationale: a true medical emergency may override the need to obtain consent.
which patients would require administration of preoperative antibiotics? select
all that apply?
a. patients undergoing cataract surgery
b. patients with known coronary artery disease
c. patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery
d. patients undergoing joint replacement surgery
e. patients with a history of valvular heart diseases - Ans✔✔-c,d,e
, rationale:
in patients with a history of valvular heart disease, antibiotics may be
administered to prevent infective endocarditis. gastrointestinal surgery carried
a risk of wound contamination and calls for antibiotic treatment. joint
replacement surgeries, wound infections can have serious consequences;
therefore it is prudent to give antibiotics.
the nurse is caring for a patient with renal dysfunction who is scheduled for
surgery. Which nursing interventions are a priority in this situation? select all
that apply.
a. obtain renal function test preoperatively
b. evaluate coagulation studies preoperatively
c. check for the serum potassium levels preoperatively
D. report to the preoperative team if the patient has a problem voiding
E. ready the sequential compression device in the pre operative holding area -
Ans✔✔-A,D
which activities would be included in a surgical time-out prior to surgery?
select all that apply.
a. verify patient identification
b. complete fire risk assessment
c. verify surgical sit end procedure
d. ensure that consent for the specific procedure was obtained
e. ensure that a significant other is available if needed for consultation -
Ans✔✔-a,c,d
Practice Questions with
Answers. Updated 2026
the preoperative patient asks why the dose of warfarin is being withheld.
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
a." the medication is contraindicated with he type of anesthesia you are
receiving"
b.this medication could cause excessive bleeding during surgery if it is not
stopped beforehand.
c. All unnecessary medications are stopped before surgery to prevent you from
vomiting under anesthesia?
D. this medication may increase respiratory depression associated with
anesthetic agents and must be avoided - Ans✔✔-b.this medication could cause
excessive bleeding during surgery if it is not stopped beforehand.
,A patient taking warfarin and digoxin for treatment of atrial fibrillation is
instructed to discontinue the use prior to surgery. The nurse would closely
monitor this patient for which complication?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. increased BP
C.Excessive bleeding from incision sites
D. increased peripheral vascular resistance - Ans✔✔-A. Pulmonary embolism
rationale: warfarin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent mural thrombi
from forming on the walls of the atria during atrial fibrillation.
which nursing interventions would be included in preoperative assessment and
teaching plan for an older adult?select all that apply.
A. administer a sedative to relieve fear and anxiety
B. help patient walk safely to the operating room
c. coordinate assessment with the team of health care providers
D. speak slowly when giving preoperative instructions to the patient
E. understand that the patient may have sensory and cognitive deficits -
Ans✔✔-C,D,E
,An unconscious patient needs to undergo emergency surgery and has no family
members or friends available. Which action would the nurse take regarding
obtaining consent for the surgery?
a. call the local magistrate to get consent for the surgery.
b. obtain consent form a legally appointment representative
c. avoid giving any treatment because it is illegal to treat without consent
d. proceed with plans for surgery; consent is not required for a true medical
emergency. - Ans✔✔-d. proceed with plans for surgery; consent is not required
for a true medical emergency.
Rationale: a true medical emergency may override the need to obtain consent.
which patients would require administration of preoperative antibiotics? select
all that apply?
a. patients undergoing cataract surgery
b. patients with known coronary artery disease
c. patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery
d. patients undergoing joint replacement surgery
e. patients with a history of valvular heart diseases - Ans✔✔-c,d,e
, rationale:
in patients with a history of valvular heart disease, antibiotics may be
administered to prevent infective endocarditis. gastrointestinal surgery carried
a risk of wound contamination and calls for antibiotic treatment. joint
replacement surgeries, wound infections can have serious consequences;
therefore it is prudent to give antibiotics.
the nurse is caring for a patient with renal dysfunction who is scheduled for
surgery. Which nursing interventions are a priority in this situation? select all
that apply.
a. obtain renal function test preoperatively
b. evaluate coagulation studies preoperatively
c. check for the serum potassium levels preoperatively
D. report to the preoperative team if the patient has a problem voiding
E. ready the sequential compression device in the pre operative holding area -
Ans✔✔-A,D
which activities would be included in a surgical time-out prior to surgery?
select all that apply.
a. verify patient identification
b. complete fire risk assessment
c. verify surgical sit end procedure
d. ensure that consent for the specific procedure was obtained
e. ensure that a significant other is available if needed for consultation -
Ans✔✔-a,c,d
