Med. Surg. 2 Perioperative Nursing: Preoperative Assessment, Baseline
Vital Signs, Medication History, Allergies, Patient Education, Care Planning,
Surgical Indications, Emergency vs Elective Surgery, Inpatient vs Ambulatory
Surgery, Informed Consent, Preoperative Lab Evaluation, Skin Prep,
Preoperative Medications, Anesthesia Classification, Intraoperative
Positioning, Scrub and Circulating Nurse Roles, Surgical Asepsis,
Postoperative Monitoring, PACU Management, Wound Assessment, Pain
Management, PCA Therapy, Complication Prevention, Shock Types, MAP
and Cardiac Output, Fluid Resuscitation, Vasopressors, Oxygen
Optimization, MODS Prevention, Early Ambulation, Patient Safety,
Nutritional Support Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete
A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Perioperative Nursing
Wide variety of nursing functions associated with the patient's surgical experience.
_________: begins with the decision for surgical intervention and ends with the patient being
transferred to the OR
pre-op
_________: ends with the patient being taken to the recovery area
intra-op
_________: ends with the follow-up visit with the surgeon
post-op
What are pre-op nursing responsibilities?
,Baseline assessment
Past medication history
Current medications
Allergies
Patient education
Development of care plan
What are some reasons for surgical procedures?
Diagnosis (lymph node biopsy, bronchoscopy, etc.)
Cure (removal of ruptured appendix, benign ovarian cyst, etc.)
Palliation (cutting a nerve root to remove symptoms of pain, creating a colostomy to bypass an
inoperable bowel obstruction, etc.)
Prevention (removal of mole before it becomes malignant, etc.)
Exploration (laparotomy, etc.)
Cosmetic improvement (repairing a burn scar, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, etc.)
What is the difference between emergency surgery and elective surgery?
Emergency surgeries could include an emergency C-section or an appendectomy, and elective surgeries
include knee or hip replacements.
,What is the difference between inpatient surgery and ambulatory surgery?
Inpatient surgeries are planned in the hospital and require a longer hospital stay. Outpatient or same
day surgery is classified as ambulatory (uses regional or local anesthetics).
Ambulatory surgeries include tonsillectomy, while inpatient surgeries include spinal reconstruction.
What needs to be arranged in order for a patient to have an ambulatory surgery?
A capable driver to take the patient home.
What are some common nursing diagnoses that may apply to a pre-operative patient?
Anxiety related to experience and outcome.
Ineffective health maintenance (requires teaching).
Sleep pattern disturbance prior to surgery.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the pre-op stage. The patient states “I just don’t know about this. Do
other patients get nervous about surgery?” Which of the following is the best response by the nurse:
A. “Oh hush and think positive thoughts.”
B. “It’s only surgery. Lots of people have surgery and are fine.”
C. “Would you like to talk about your upcoming surgery? It is normal to be concerned or nervous.”
D. “Honey, you’ll get through this, don’t worry.”
C. "Would you like to talk about your upcoming surgery? It is normal to be concerned or nervous."
, What information should we be gathering during a preoperative interview?
Obtain health information, allergies, medications.
- Drug allergy vs Food allergy vs Latex allergy.
- Allergy vs Intolerance
Provide and clarify information about the planned surgery, including anesthesia.
Assess the patient’s emotional state, readiness for surgery, and expected outcome.
Why would we need to know about a shellfish allergy before surgery?
If a patient is allergic to shellfish, they may have an allergic reaction to iodine.
What is the difference between drug/food allergies and intolerances?
Anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasms, and hives are all signs of allergies.
Signs of intolerances may include diarrhea or nausea.
A 50-year-old woman is admitted for surgery. During the pre-op assessment the patient states “I am
allergic to banana’s, avocado's, and shell fish. I develop hives.” She states NKDA.
What concerns the nurse related to the patient’s allergies?
What should the nurse do with this information?
Vital Signs, Medication History, Allergies, Patient Education, Care Planning,
Surgical Indications, Emergency vs Elective Surgery, Inpatient vs Ambulatory
Surgery, Informed Consent, Preoperative Lab Evaluation, Skin Prep,
Preoperative Medications, Anesthesia Classification, Intraoperative
Positioning, Scrub and Circulating Nurse Roles, Surgical Asepsis,
Postoperative Monitoring, PACU Management, Wound Assessment, Pain
Management, PCA Therapy, Complication Prevention, Shock Types, MAP
and Cardiac Output, Fluid Resuscitation, Vasopressors, Oxygen
Optimization, MODS Prevention, Early Ambulation, Patient Safety,
Nutritional Support Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete
A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Perioperative Nursing
Wide variety of nursing functions associated with the patient's surgical experience.
_________: begins with the decision for surgical intervention and ends with the patient being
transferred to the OR
pre-op
_________: ends with the patient being taken to the recovery area
intra-op
_________: ends with the follow-up visit with the surgeon
post-op
What are pre-op nursing responsibilities?
,Baseline assessment
Past medication history
Current medications
Allergies
Patient education
Development of care plan
What are some reasons for surgical procedures?
Diagnosis (lymph node biopsy, bronchoscopy, etc.)
Cure (removal of ruptured appendix, benign ovarian cyst, etc.)
Palliation (cutting a nerve root to remove symptoms of pain, creating a colostomy to bypass an
inoperable bowel obstruction, etc.)
Prevention (removal of mole before it becomes malignant, etc.)
Exploration (laparotomy, etc.)
Cosmetic improvement (repairing a burn scar, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, etc.)
What is the difference between emergency surgery and elective surgery?
Emergency surgeries could include an emergency C-section or an appendectomy, and elective surgeries
include knee or hip replacements.
,What is the difference between inpatient surgery and ambulatory surgery?
Inpatient surgeries are planned in the hospital and require a longer hospital stay. Outpatient or same
day surgery is classified as ambulatory (uses regional or local anesthetics).
Ambulatory surgeries include tonsillectomy, while inpatient surgeries include spinal reconstruction.
What needs to be arranged in order for a patient to have an ambulatory surgery?
A capable driver to take the patient home.
What are some common nursing diagnoses that may apply to a pre-operative patient?
Anxiety related to experience and outcome.
Ineffective health maintenance (requires teaching).
Sleep pattern disturbance prior to surgery.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the pre-op stage. The patient states “I just don’t know about this. Do
other patients get nervous about surgery?” Which of the following is the best response by the nurse:
A. “Oh hush and think positive thoughts.”
B. “It’s only surgery. Lots of people have surgery and are fine.”
C. “Would you like to talk about your upcoming surgery? It is normal to be concerned or nervous.”
D. “Honey, you’ll get through this, don’t worry.”
C. "Would you like to talk about your upcoming surgery? It is normal to be concerned or nervous."
, What information should we be gathering during a preoperative interview?
Obtain health information, allergies, medications.
- Drug allergy vs Food allergy vs Latex allergy.
- Allergy vs Intolerance
Provide and clarify information about the planned surgery, including anesthesia.
Assess the patient’s emotional state, readiness for surgery, and expected outcome.
Why would we need to know about a shellfish allergy before surgery?
If a patient is allergic to shellfish, they may have an allergic reaction to iodine.
What is the difference between drug/food allergies and intolerances?
Anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasms, and hives are all signs of allergies.
Signs of intolerances may include diarrhea or nausea.
A 50-year-old woman is admitted for surgery. During the pre-op assessment the patient states “I am
allergic to banana’s, avocado's, and shell fish. I develop hives.” She states NKDA.
What concerns the nurse related to the patient’s allergies?
What should the nurse do with this information?
