NU NUR 340 Module 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing Care of Adults and
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following is the
primary purpose of the preoperative assessment?
A) To establish a baseline for comparison during and after surgery
B) To complete the hospital's admission paperwork
C) To determine the patient's insurance coverage
D) To select the appropriate anesthetic agent
Correct Answer: To establish a baseline for comparison during and after
surgery
Rationale: The primary purpose of the preoperative assessment is to collect
comprehensive data to establish a baseline for comparison during and after
surgery. This helps identify risks, plan care, and detect complications early,
distinguishing it from administrative or anesthetic tasks.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of smoking. The nurse
should advise the patient to stop smoking at least how many weeks before
surgery to reduce pulmonary complications?
A) 1-2 weeks
B) 2-4 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 6-8 weeks
Correct Answer: 4-6 weeks
Rationale: Smoking cessation for 4-6 weeks before surgery significantly
reduces postoperative pulmonary complications by improving pulmonary
,function and decreasing mucus production. Shorter cessation periods are
less effective.
3. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list before surgery. Which of
the following medications should be held 7-10 days before surgery due to an
increased risk of bleeding?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Warfarin
C) Metformin
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding
and should typically be held for 7-10 days before surgery. Acetaminophen
does not affect bleeding, metformin is held for other reasons, and lisinopril is
an antihypertensive.
4. A patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery. The nurse
understands that the primary reason for this is to:
A) Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
B) Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
C) Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D) Ensure the patient's stomach is empty for the procedure
Correct Answer: Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status is to reduce the risk of
aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during the induction of and
emergence from anesthesia. This is a major safety precaution.
,5. A patient is being prepared for surgery and is anxious. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Provide detailed information about the surgical procedure
B) Use therapeutic communication, such as active listening and empathy
C) Reassure the patient that everything will be fine
D) Distract the patient with conversation
Correct Answer: Use therapeutic communication, such as active listening and
empathy
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques, such as active listening
and empathy, can help reduce anxiety by validating the patient's feelings
and providing support. This is more effective than reassurance or distraction
alone.
6. A patient is in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and is shivering. The
nurse should first:
A) Apply a warm blanket
B) Assess the patient's temperature
C) Notify the anesthesia provider
D) Administer a warm intravenous fluid bolus
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's temperature
Rationale: Shivering in the PACU is often due to hypothermia from
anesthesia, but it can also be a sign of a fever or other complications. The
nurse should first assess the patient's temperature to determine the cause.
, 7. The nurse is caring for a patient in the PACU. The patient's oxygen
saturation is 88% on room air. The nurse should first:
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
B) Assess the patient's airway and breathing
C) Notify the anesthesia provider
D) Document the finding
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's airway and breathing
Rationale: The nurse should always first assess the patient, particularly the
airway and breathing, to determine the cause of the hypoxemia before
initiating interventions. After assessment, oxygen may be administered.
8. A patient is in the PACU and is experiencing emergence delirium. Which of
the following is a priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a sedative as prescribed
B) Ensure the patient's safety and prevent injury
C) Notify the surgeon
D) Document the behavior
Correct Answer: Ensure the patient's safety and prevent injury
Rationale: Emergence delirium is a state of confusion and agitation that can
occur as the patient wakes from anesthesia. The priority is to ensure the
patient's safety and prevent injury.
9. A patient is postoperative and is experiencing nausea. The nurse should
first:
A) Administer an antiemetic as prescribed
Older Adults II Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following is the
primary purpose of the preoperative assessment?
A) To establish a baseline for comparison during and after surgery
B) To complete the hospital's admission paperwork
C) To determine the patient's insurance coverage
D) To select the appropriate anesthetic agent
Correct Answer: To establish a baseline for comparison during and after
surgery
Rationale: The primary purpose of the preoperative assessment is to collect
comprehensive data to establish a baseline for comparison during and after
surgery. This helps identify risks, plan care, and detect complications early,
distinguishing it from administrative or anesthetic tasks.
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of smoking. The nurse
should advise the patient to stop smoking at least how many weeks before
surgery to reduce pulmonary complications?
A) 1-2 weeks
B) 2-4 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 6-8 weeks
Correct Answer: 4-6 weeks
Rationale: Smoking cessation for 4-6 weeks before surgery significantly
reduces postoperative pulmonary complications by improving pulmonary
,function and decreasing mucus production. Shorter cessation periods are
less effective.
3. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list before surgery. Which of
the following medications should be held 7-10 days before surgery due to an
increased risk of bleeding?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Warfarin
C) Metformin
D) Lisinopril
Correct Answer: Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding
and should typically be held for 7-10 days before surgery. Acetaminophen
does not affect bleeding, metformin is held for other reasons, and lisinopril is
an antihypertensive.
4. A patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery. The nurse
understands that the primary reason for this is to:
A) Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
B) Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
C) Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
D) Ensure the patient's stomach is empty for the procedure
Correct Answer: Reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: The primary reason for NPO status is to reduce the risk of
aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during the induction of and
emergence from anesthesia. This is a major safety precaution.
,5. A patient is being prepared for surgery and is anxious. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A) Provide detailed information about the surgical procedure
B) Use therapeutic communication, such as active listening and empathy
C) Reassure the patient that everything will be fine
D) Distract the patient with conversation
Correct Answer: Use therapeutic communication, such as active listening and
empathy
Rationale: Therapeutic communication techniques, such as active listening
and empathy, can help reduce anxiety by validating the patient's feelings
and providing support. This is more effective than reassurance or distraction
alone.
6. A patient is in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and is shivering. The
nurse should first:
A) Apply a warm blanket
B) Assess the patient's temperature
C) Notify the anesthesia provider
D) Administer a warm intravenous fluid bolus
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's temperature
Rationale: Shivering in the PACU is often due to hypothermia from
anesthesia, but it can also be a sign of a fever or other complications. The
nurse should first assess the patient's temperature to determine the cause.
, 7. The nurse is caring for a patient in the PACU. The patient's oxygen
saturation is 88% on room air. The nurse should first:
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
B) Assess the patient's airway and breathing
C) Notify the anesthesia provider
D) Document the finding
Correct Answer: Assess the patient's airway and breathing
Rationale: The nurse should always first assess the patient, particularly the
airway and breathing, to determine the cause of the hypoxemia before
initiating interventions. After assessment, oxygen may be administered.
8. A patient is in the PACU and is experiencing emergence delirium. Which of
the following is a priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a sedative as prescribed
B) Ensure the patient's safety and prevent injury
C) Notify the surgeon
D) Document the behavior
Correct Answer: Ensure the patient's safety and prevent injury
Rationale: Emergence delirium is a state of confusion and agitation that can
occur as the patient wakes from anesthesia. The priority is to ensure the
patient's safety and prevent injury.
9. A patient is postoperative and is experiencing nausea. The nurse should
first:
A) Administer an antiemetic as prescribed
