Nursing Fundamentals Exam 7 Study Guide 2026 |Galen College
1. Which member of the healthcare team is primarily responsible for obtaining
the patient’s informed consent for a surgical procedure?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The pre-operative nurse
C. The nurse anesthetist
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is typically to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery at 0800. The nurse notes the patient last
ate at 0200. What is the priority action?
A. Proceed with pre-operative medications
B. Document the intake and proceed to surgery
C. Encourage the patient to drink water to clear the stomach
D. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
Answer: D
Rationale: NPO status is crucial to prevent aspiration. The surgeon and anesthesiologist
must be notified to determine if surgery should be delayed.
,3. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating
room?
A. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
B. To allow the surgeon to rest
C. To count the surgical sponges
D. To administer the final dose of antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: The Time-Out is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, site, and
procedure are identified before starting.
4. A patient exhibits tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising
temperature during surgery. What condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Septic shock
C. Anaphylactic reaction
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia
characterized by high fever and muscle rigidity.
5. Which medication is the antidote used to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene
B. Atropine
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a muscle relaxant that is the primary pharmacological
treatment for malignant hyperthermia.
, 6. In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), what is the priority assessment for a
patient arriving from surgery?
A. Airway patency
B. Pain level
C. Surgical site dressing
D. Urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is the priority. Airway patency is the first
assessment in the immediate post-operative phase.
7. A post-operative patient has not voided for 8 hours. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Perform a bladder scan
B. Insert a foley catheter
C. Increase IV fluid rate
D. Administer a diuretic
Answer: A
Rationale: A bladder scan is a non-invasive way to assess the amount of urine in the
bladder before proceeding to invasive measures like catheterization.
8. Which assessment finding indicates a potential complication of a paralytic
ileus?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Passing flatus
C. Absent bowel sounds and abdominal distension
D. Frequent small liquid stools
Answer: C
Rationale: Paralytic ileus is the absence of intestinal peristalsis, resulting in absent bowel
sounds and distension.
1. Which member of the healthcare team is primarily responsible for obtaining
the patient’s informed consent for a surgical procedure?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The pre-operative nurse
C. The nurse anesthetist
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is typically to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery at 0800. The nurse notes the patient last
ate at 0200. What is the priority action?
A. Proceed with pre-operative medications
B. Document the intake and proceed to surgery
C. Encourage the patient to drink water to clear the stomach
D. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
Answer: D
Rationale: NPO status is crucial to prevent aspiration. The surgeon and anesthesiologist
must be notified to determine if surgery should be delayed.
,3. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time-Out’ performed in the operating
room?
A. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
B. To allow the surgeon to rest
C. To count the surgical sponges
D. To administer the final dose of antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: The Time-Out is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, site, and
procedure are identified before starting.
4. A patient exhibits tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising
temperature during surgery. What condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Septic shock
C. Anaphylactic reaction
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia
characterized by high fever and muscle rigidity.
5. Which medication is the antidote used to treat Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene
B. Atropine
C. Naloxone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a muscle relaxant that is the primary pharmacological
treatment for malignant hyperthermia.
, 6. In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), what is the priority assessment for a
patient arriving from surgery?
A. Airway patency
B. Pain level
C. Surgical site dressing
D. Urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is the priority. Airway patency is the first
assessment in the immediate post-operative phase.
7. A post-operative patient has not voided for 8 hours. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Perform a bladder scan
B. Insert a foley catheter
C. Increase IV fluid rate
D. Administer a diuretic
Answer: A
Rationale: A bladder scan is a non-invasive way to assess the amount of urine in the
bladder before proceeding to invasive measures like catheterization.
8. Which assessment finding indicates a potential complication of a paralytic
ileus?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Passing flatus
C. Absent bowel sounds and abdominal distension
D. Frequent small liquid stools
Answer: C
Rationale: Paralytic ileus is the absence of intestinal peristalsis, resulting in absent bowel
sounds and distension.
