ATI MedIcAl-SurgIcAl: PerIoPerATIve
NurSINg exAM (2026/2027) NurSINg
ProgrAM — coMPreheNSIve SPecIAlTy
exAM wITh verIfIed defINITIoNS
perioperative - Answer--occuring before, during, or after surgery (preoperative,
intraoperative, postoperative)
surgical settings - Answer-hospital settings, surgical centers, offices
nursing goals in perioperative nursing - Answer--quality improvement
-safety
-collaboration
-effective communication
-advocacy
-cost containment
surgical procedure classifications - Answer-1. seriousness (major/minor)
2. urgency (elective/urgent/emergency)
3. purpose (diagnostic, ablative, palliative, reconstructive, procurement for
transplant, constructive, cosmetic)
effect of antibiotics - Answer--potentiate (enhance action of) anesthetic agents
,-if taken within 2 weeks before surgery, aminoglycosides (gentamicin, neomycin,
tobramycin) may cause mild respiratory depression from depressed
neuromuscular transmission
antidysrhythmics effects - Answer--meds (ex: beta blockers) can reduce cardiac
contractility and impair cardiac conduction during anesthesia
anticoagulant effects - Answer-meds like warfarin or aspirin alter normal clotting
factors and increase risk of hemorrhaging; discontinue at least 48 hours before
surgery
anticonvulsant effects - Answer-long term use of certain ones (phenytoin and
phenobarbital) alter metabolism of anesthetic agents
antihypertensive effects - Answer--meds like beta blockers and calcium channel
blockers interact with anesthetic agents to cause bradycardia, hypotension, and
impaired circulation
-inhibit synthesis and storage of norepinephrine in sympathetic nerve endings
corticosteroid effects - Answer--with prolonged use, cause adrenal atrophy,
reducing ability to withstand stress
-before and during surgery, dosages often increased temporarily
insulin effects - Answer--insulin requirements fluctuate after surgery
-ex: some patient need increased doses due to stress from surgery; others need
less due to decreased nutritional intake following surgery
, diuretic effects - Answer--like furosemide potentiate electrolyte imbalances
(particularly potassium) after surgery
NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) effect - Answer--inhibit platelet
aggregation and prolong bleeding time, increasing susceptibility to postop
bleeding
herbal therapy effects (ginger, ginko, ginseng) - Answer--affect platelet activity and
increase susceptibility to postop bleeding
-ginseng increases hypoglycemia with insulin therapy
preop assessment - Answer--notify if elevated temp
-dehydration of mucous membranes
-Virchow's triad: venous stasis, vessel wall injury, hypercoagulability
hemoglobin levels - Answer-male: 14-18
female: 12-16
low Hgb - Answer-anemia
high Hgb - Answer-polycythemia (elevated RBC count)
hematocrit levels - Answer-male: 40-52%
NurSINg exAM (2026/2027) NurSINg
ProgrAM — coMPreheNSIve SPecIAlTy
exAM wITh verIfIed defINITIoNS
perioperative - Answer--occuring before, during, or after surgery (preoperative,
intraoperative, postoperative)
surgical settings - Answer-hospital settings, surgical centers, offices
nursing goals in perioperative nursing - Answer--quality improvement
-safety
-collaboration
-effective communication
-advocacy
-cost containment
surgical procedure classifications - Answer-1. seriousness (major/minor)
2. urgency (elective/urgent/emergency)
3. purpose (diagnostic, ablative, palliative, reconstructive, procurement for
transplant, constructive, cosmetic)
effect of antibiotics - Answer--potentiate (enhance action of) anesthetic agents
,-if taken within 2 weeks before surgery, aminoglycosides (gentamicin, neomycin,
tobramycin) may cause mild respiratory depression from depressed
neuromuscular transmission
antidysrhythmics effects - Answer--meds (ex: beta blockers) can reduce cardiac
contractility and impair cardiac conduction during anesthesia
anticoagulant effects - Answer-meds like warfarin or aspirin alter normal clotting
factors and increase risk of hemorrhaging; discontinue at least 48 hours before
surgery
anticonvulsant effects - Answer-long term use of certain ones (phenytoin and
phenobarbital) alter metabolism of anesthetic agents
antihypertensive effects - Answer--meds like beta blockers and calcium channel
blockers interact with anesthetic agents to cause bradycardia, hypotension, and
impaired circulation
-inhibit synthesis and storage of norepinephrine in sympathetic nerve endings
corticosteroid effects - Answer--with prolonged use, cause adrenal atrophy,
reducing ability to withstand stress
-before and during surgery, dosages often increased temporarily
insulin effects - Answer--insulin requirements fluctuate after surgery
-ex: some patient need increased doses due to stress from surgery; others need
less due to decreased nutritional intake following surgery
, diuretic effects - Answer--like furosemide potentiate electrolyte imbalances
(particularly potassium) after surgery
NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) effect - Answer--inhibit platelet
aggregation and prolong bleeding time, increasing susceptibility to postop
bleeding
herbal therapy effects (ginger, ginko, ginseng) - Answer--affect platelet activity and
increase susceptibility to postop bleeding
-ginseng increases hypoglycemia with insulin therapy
preop assessment - Answer--notify if elevated temp
-dehydration of mucous membranes
-Virchow's triad: venous stasis, vessel wall injury, hypercoagulability
hemoglobin levels - Answer-male: 14-18
female: 12-16
low Hgb - Answer-anemia
high Hgb - Answer-polycythemia (elevated RBC count)
hematocrit levels - Answer-male: 40-52%
