Perioperative Nursing Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1.
A patient is scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. During the preoperative
assessment, which finding should the nurse report to the surgical team
immediately?
A. The patient states that they are anxious about the procedure.
B. The patient has been fasting since midnight.
C. The patient reports taking warfarin as prescribed.
D. The patient asks when they can return to normal activities.
Answer: C. The patient reports taking warfarin as prescribed.
Rationale: Warfarin increases the risk of perioperative bleeding because it interferes
with vitamin K–dependent clotting factors. The surgical team must know about
anticoagulant therapy so that the medication can be appropriately managed before
surgery. Anxiety, appropriate fasting, and questions about recovery are common
preoperative concerns and do not represent the same immediate safety issue.
2.
Which nursing action is the priority when receiving a patient into the preoperative
area?
A. Determine the patient's preferred postoperative meal.
B. Verify the patient's identity, procedure, and surgical site.
C. Teach the patient how to use the television system.
D. Ask the family to leave the unit.
,Answer: B. Verify the patient's identity, procedure, and surgical site.
Rationale: Correct patient identification, confirmation of the planned procedure,
and verification of the surgical site are fundamental components of surgical safety.
These checks help prevent wrong-patient, wrong-procedure, and wrong-site
surgery. Other activities can be completed after immediate safety requirements
have been addressed.
3.
Which statement by a patient demonstrates correct understanding of informed
consent?
A. “The nurse will explain all possible surgical risks to me.”
B. “Signing the form means I cannot change my mind.”
C. “The surgeon will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.”
D. “My family can sign the consent even if I am capable of deciding.”
Answer: C. “The surgeon will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives.”
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining the
nature of the procedure, expected benefits, significant risks, alternatives, and
consequences of refusing treatment. The nurse generally verifies that the consent is
signed appropriately, witnesses the signature according to policy, and reinforces
information without independently providing the provider's informed-consent
discussion. A competent patient may withdraw consent.
4.
A patient scheduled for surgery says, “I signed the consent form, but I still do not
understand what the surgeon plans to do.” What should the nurse do?
A. Tell the patient that the consent form is sufficient.
B. Ask the family to explain the procedure.
C. Notify the surgeon before the patient proceeds to surgery.
D. Tell the patient that anesthesia will provide the explanation.
,Answer: C. Notify the surgeon before the patient proceeds to surgery.
Rationale: A patient must understand the procedure before providing valid
informed consent. If the patient expresses inadequate understanding, the nurse
should stop the process and notify the surgeon or appropriate provider so the
procedure can be explained and questions can be answered. The nurse should not
substitute personal explanations for the provider's informed-consent
responsibilities.
5.
Which preoperative assessment finding places a patient at increased risk for
postoperative respiratory complications?
A. History of seasonal allergies
B. Current cigarette smoking
C. Occasional tension headaches
D. Previous appendectomy
Answer: B. Current cigarette smoking.
Rationale: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance, increases airway secretions,
promotes bronchial irritation, and can impair oxygenation and wound healing.
These effects increase the risk of respiratory complications after anesthesia and
surgery. The nurse should document smoking history and provide appropriate
education and interventions.
6.
Which preoperative instruction is most appropriate for a patient who will undergo
abdominal surgery?
A. Avoid coughing after surgery.
B. Remain completely immobile for the first 24 hours.
C. Practice deep breathing, coughing, and splinting techniques.
D. Avoid using the incentive spirometer because it can cause pain.
Answer: C. Practice deep breathing, coughing, and splinting techniques.
, Rationale: Preoperative teaching allows the patient to learn techniques before pain,
sedation, and anxiety interfere with learning. Deep breathing and coughing help
promote lung expansion and secretion clearance, while splinting the incision can
improve comfort during coughing. Incentive spirometry and early mobilization may
also be incorporated into postoperative care.
7.
Which medication history is especially important before a patient receives general
anesthesia?
A. Occasional use of moisturizing lotion
B. Use of herbal supplements
C. Daily use of toothpaste
D. Occasional use of shampoo
Answer: B. Use of herbal supplements.
Rationale: Herbal and dietary supplements may affect coagulation, blood pressure,
blood glucose, sedation, and metabolism of anesthetic medications. Some
supplements may increase bleeding risk or interact with perioperative drugs.
Patients should be instructed to disclose all prescription medications, over-the-
counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and recreational substances.
8.
A patient says, “I am afraid I will wake up during surgery.” Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “There is nothing to worry about.”
B. “You should not think about that.”
C. “Tell me more about what concerns you about anesthesia.”
D. “The anesthesiologist will make sure you never wake up.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what concerns you about anesthesia.”
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's concern and encourages
further communication. Therapeutic communication avoids false reassurance and
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A patient is scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. During the preoperative
assessment, which finding should the nurse report to the surgical team
immediately?
A. The patient states that they are anxious about the procedure.
B. The patient has been fasting since midnight.
C. The patient reports taking warfarin as prescribed.
D. The patient asks when they can return to normal activities.
Answer: C. The patient reports taking warfarin as prescribed.
Rationale: Warfarin increases the risk of perioperative bleeding because it interferes
with vitamin K–dependent clotting factors. The surgical team must know about
anticoagulant therapy so that the medication can be appropriately managed before
surgery. Anxiety, appropriate fasting, and questions about recovery are common
preoperative concerns and do not represent the same immediate safety issue.
2.
Which nursing action is the priority when receiving a patient into the preoperative
area?
A. Determine the patient's preferred postoperative meal.
B. Verify the patient's identity, procedure, and surgical site.
C. Teach the patient how to use the television system.
D. Ask the family to leave the unit.
,Answer: B. Verify the patient's identity, procedure, and surgical site.
Rationale: Correct patient identification, confirmation of the planned procedure,
and verification of the surgical site are fundamental components of surgical safety.
These checks help prevent wrong-patient, wrong-procedure, and wrong-site
surgery. Other activities can be completed after immediate safety requirements
have been addressed.
3.
Which statement by a patient demonstrates correct understanding of informed
consent?
A. “The nurse will explain all possible surgical risks to me.”
B. “Signing the form means I cannot change my mind.”
C. “The surgeon will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.”
D. “My family can sign the consent even if I am capable of deciding.”
Answer: C. “The surgeon will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives.”
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining the
nature of the procedure, expected benefits, significant risks, alternatives, and
consequences of refusing treatment. The nurse generally verifies that the consent is
signed appropriately, witnesses the signature according to policy, and reinforces
information without independently providing the provider's informed-consent
discussion. A competent patient may withdraw consent.
4.
A patient scheduled for surgery says, “I signed the consent form, but I still do not
understand what the surgeon plans to do.” What should the nurse do?
A. Tell the patient that the consent form is sufficient.
B. Ask the family to explain the procedure.
C. Notify the surgeon before the patient proceeds to surgery.
D. Tell the patient that anesthesia will provide the explanation.
,Answer: C. Notify the surgeon before the patient proceeds to surgery.
Rationale: A patient must understand the procedure before providing valid
informed consent. If the patient expresses inadequate understanding, the nurse
should stop the process and notify the surgeon or appropriate provider so the
procedure can be explained and questions can be answered. The nurse should not
substitute personal explanations for the provider's informed-consent
responsibilities.
5.
Which preoperative assessment finding places a patient at increased risk for
postoperative respiratory complications?
A. History of seasonal allergies
B. Current cigarette smoking
C. Occasional tension headaches
D. Previous appendectomy
Answer: B. Current cigarette smoking.
Rationale: Smoking impairs mucociliary clearance, increases airway secretions,
promotes bronchial irritation, and can impair oxygenation and wound healing.
These effects increase the risk of respiratory complications after anesthesia and
surgery. The nurse should document smoking history and provide appropriate
education and interventions.
6.
Which preoperative instruction is most appropriate for a patient who will undergo
abdominal surgery?
A. Avoid coughing after surgery.
B. Remain completely immobile for the first 24 hours.
C. Practice deep breathing, coughing, and splinting techniques.
D. Avoid using the incentive spirometer because it can cause pain.
Answer: C. Practice deep breathing, coughing, and splinting techniques.
, Rationale: Preoperative teaching allows the patient to learn techniques before pain,
sedation, and anxiety interfere with learning. Deep breathing and coughing help
promote lung expansion and secretion clearance, while splinting the incision can
improve comfort during coughing. Incentive spirometry and early mobilization may
also be incorporated into postoperative care.
7.
Which medication history is especially important before a patient receives general
anesthesia?
A. Occasional use of moisturizing lotion
B. Use of herbal supplements
C. Daily use of toothpaste
D. Occasional use of shampoo
Answer: B. Use of herbal supplements.
Rationale: Herbal and dietary supplements may affect coagulation, blood pressure,
blood glucose, sedation, and metabolism of anesthetic medications. Some
supplements may increase bleeding risk or interact with perioperative drugs.
Patients should be instructed to disclose all prescription medications, over-the-
counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and recreational substances.
8.
A patient says, “I am afraid I will wake up during surgery.” Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “There is nothing to worry about.”
B. “You should not think about that.”
C. “Tell me more about what concerns you about anesthesia.”
D. “The anesthesiologist will make sure you never wake up.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what concerns you about anesthesia.”
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's concern and encourages
further communication. Therapeutic communication avoids false reassurance and
