Postoperative Nursing Care 100
Question Practice Exam With Correct
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| Already Graded A+ | 2026 Latest
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1. A nurse is caring for a client immediately after surgery. Which
assessment should the nurse perform first upon the client’s
arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)?
A. Assess urinary output B. Assess the surgical dressing C. Assess
airway patency D. Assess bowel sounds
Answer: C. Assess airway patency
Rationale: Airway assessment is always the priority immediately after
surgery because anesthesia can depress respiratory function and
compromise the airway. The nurse must first ensure that the client can
maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation before addressing
other postoperative concerns.
2. Which postoperative finding requires immediate nursing
intervention?
A. Pain rating of 4/10 B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min C.
Temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) D. Small amount of serosanguineous
drainage
,Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory
depression, which may result from anesthesia or opioid medications.
This finding threatens oxygenation and requires immediate
intervention. The other findings are expected during the postoperative
period.
3. A postoperative client reports nausea after receiving opioid
pain medication. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage ambulation immediately B. Offer a large meal C.
Administer prescribed antiemetic medication D. Place the client flat
in bed
Answer: C. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication
Rationale: Nausea is a common side effect of opioid analgesics and
anesthesia. Administering a prescribed antiemetic helps relieve
discomfort and prevent vomiting and aspiration. Large meals and
lying flat may worsen nausea.
4. Which intervention helps prevent postoperative atelectasis?
A. Restricting fluid intake B. Encouraging use of an incentive
spirometer C. Keeping the client on bed rest D. Limiting coughing
exercises
Answer: B. Encouraging use of an incentive spirometer
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung
expansion, reducing the risk of atelectasis. Postoperative clients are at
increased risk for alveolar collapse due to anesthesia and immobility.
5. A nurse notes bright red drainage saturating a postoperative
dressing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,A. Reinforce the dressing B. Notify the healthcare provider C.
Assess vital signs D. Document the drainage
Answer: C. Assess vital signs
Rationale: Excessive bright red drainage may indicate hemorrhage.
The nurse should first assess vital signs to determine hemodynamic
stability and identify signs of shock before notifying the provider.
6. Which postoperative complication is most associated with calf
pain, warmth, and swelling?
A. Pneumonia B. Atelectasis C. Deep vein thrombosis D. Pulmonary
edema
Answer: C. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Calf pain, warmth, redness, and swelling are classic
manifestations of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Postoperative
immobility increases the risk for venous clot formation.
7. Which nursing intervention is best for preventing deep vein
thrombosis in postoperative clients?
A. Restricting fluids B. Applying sequential compression devices C.
Maintaining bed rest D. Limiting leg exercises
Answer: B. Applying sequential compression devices
Rationale: Sequential compression devices improve venous return and
reduce venous stasis, helping prevent DVT formation in postoperative
clients.
8. A postoperative client has absent bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Paralytic ileus B. Pneumonia C. Hypovolemia D. Wound
infection
, Answer: A. Paralytic ileus
Rationale: Paralytic ileus occurs when intestinal motility slows or
stops after surgery. Symptoms include abdominal distention, absent
bowel sounds, nausea, and inability to pass flatus.
9. Which position is most appropriate for a postoperative
unconscious client?
A. Supine position B. Trendelenburg position C. Side-lying position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: C. Side-lying position
Rationale: The side-lying position helps maintain airway patency and
reduces aspiration risk in unconscious postoperative clients.
10. A nurse is teaching a postoperative client how to perform
deep breathing exercises. Which instruction is correct?
A. Breathe rapidly through the mouth B. Hold the breath for several
seconds after inhalation C. Avoid coughing after deep breathing D.
Perform exercises once daily
Answer: B. Hold the breath for several seconds after inhalation
Rationale: Holding the breath after inhalation promotes alveolar
expansion and improves oxygenation. Deep breathing exercises should
be performed regularly throughout the postoperative period.
11. Which finding suggests postoperative hypovolemic
shock?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension B. Warm, dry skin C.
Tachycardia and hypotension D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C. Tachycardia and hypotension
Question Practice Exam With Correct
Verified And Well Analyzed Solutions
| Already Graded A+ | 2026 Latest
Update!!!
1. A nurse is caring for a client immediately after surgery. Which
assessment should the nurse perform first upon the client’s
arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)?
A. Assess urinary output B. Assess the surgical dressing C. Assess
airway patency D. Assess bowel sounds
Answer: C. Assess airway patency
Rationale: Airway assessment is always the priority immediately after
surgery because anesthesia can depress respiratory function and
compromise the airway. The nurse must first ensure that the client can
maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation before addressing
other postoperative concerns.
2. Which postoperative finding requires immediate nursing
intervention?
A. Pain rating of 4/10 B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min C.
Temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) D. Small amount of serosanguineous
drainage
,Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory
depression, which may result from anesthesia or opioid medications.
This finding threatens oxygenation and requires immediate
intervention. The other findings are expected during the postoperative
period.
3. A postoperative client reports nausea after receiving opioid
pain medication. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage ambulation immediately B. Offer a large meal C.
Administer prescribed antiemetic medication D. Place the client flat
in bed
Answer: C. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication
Rationale: Nausea is a common side effect of opioid analgesics and
anesthesia. Administering a prescribed antiemetic helps relieve
discomfort and prevent vomiting and aspiration. Large meals and
lying flat may worsen nausea.
4. Which intervention helps prevent postoperative atelectasis?
A. Restricting fluid intake B. Encouraging use of an incentive
spirometer C. Keeping the client on bed rest D. Limiting coughing
exercises
Answer: B. Encouraging use of an incentive spirometer
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung
expansion, reducing the risk of atelectasis. Postoperative clients are at
increased risk for alveolar collapse due to anesthesia and immobility.
5. A nurse notes bright red drainage saturating a postoperative
dressing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,A. Reinforce the dressing B. Notify the healthcare provider C.
Assess vital signs D. Document the drainage
Answer: C. Assess vital signs
Rationale: Excessive bright red drainage may indicate hemorrhage.
The nurse should first assess vital signs to determine hemodynamic
stability and identify signs of shock before notifying the provider.
6. Which postoperative complication is most associated with calf
pain, warmth, and swelling?
A. Pneumonia B. Atelectasis C. Deep vein thrombosis D. Pulmonary
edema
Answer: C. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Calf pain, warmth, redness, and swelling are classic
manifestations of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Postoperative
immobility increases the risk for venous clot formation.
7. Which nursing intervention is best for preventing deep vein
thrombosis in postoperative clients?
A. Restricting fluids B. Applying sequential compression devices C.
Maintaining bed rest D. Limiting leg exercises
Answer: B. Applying sequential compression devices
Rationale: Sequential compression devices improve venous return and
reduce venous stasis, helping prevent DVT formation in postoperative
clients.
8. A postoperative client has absent bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Paralytic ileus B. Pneumonia C. Hypovolemia D. Wound
infection
, Answer: A. Paralytic ileus
Rationale: Paralytic ileus occurs when intestinal motility slows or
stops after surgery. Symptoms include abdominal distention, absent
bowel sounds, nausea, and inability to pass flatus.
9. Which position is most appropriate for a postoperative
unconscious client?
A. Supine position B. Trendelenburg position C. Side-lying position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: C. Side-lying position
Rationale: The side-lying position helps maintain airway patency and
reduces aspiration risk in unconscious postoperative clients.
10. A nurse is teaching a postoperative client how to perform
deep breathing exercises. Which instruction is correct?
A. Breathe rapidly through the mouth B. Hold the breath for several
seconds after inhalation C. Avoid coughing after deep breathing D.
Perform exercises once daily
Answer: B. Hold the breath for several seconds after inhalation
Rationale: Holding the breath after inhalation promotes alveolar
expansion and improves oxygenation. Deep breathing exercises should
be performed regularly throughout the postoperative period.
11. Which finding suggests postoperative hypovolemic
shock?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension B. Warm, dry skin C.
Tachycardia and hypotension D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C. Tachycardia and hypotension
