ATI RN PERIOPERATIVE NURSING EXAM
NEWEST EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF*
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the nurse's
priority before transferring the client to the operating room?
A. Administer the prescribed preoperative sedative
B. Verify the client's identity and surgical procedure
C. Remove the client's dentures
D. Apply antiembolism stockings
Answer: B. Verify the client's identity and surgical procedure
Rationale: Correct identification and verification of the planned
procedure are essential components of surgical safety and help
prevent wrong-patient or wrong-procedure errors.
2. A client scheduled for surgery asks why they must remain NPO.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. "It prevents postoperative constipation."
B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It prevents fluid retention."
D. "It decreases postoperative pain."
Answer: B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
,Rationale: Fasting decreases stomach contents and lowers the risk of
pulmonary aspiration while protective airway reflexes are impaired by
anesthesia.
3. Which finding should the nurse report before a client undergoes
surgery?
A. Pulse 82/min
B. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Blood pressure 124/76 mm Hg
Answer: B. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Rationale: Fever can indicate an active infection or other condition
that could increase perioperative risk and should be evaluated before
surgery.
4. A nurse is reviewing informed consent with a client. Which
responsibility belongs to the nurse?
A. Explain all surgical risks and alternatives
B. Obtain the surgeon's signature
C. Witness the client's signature
D. Determine whether surgery is necessary
Answer: C. Witness the client's signature
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse
may witness the client's voluntary signature and verify that the client
appears to understand that consent is being given.
,5. A client says, "I don't understand what the surgeon told me about
the procedure." What should the nurse do?
A. Ask the client to sign the consent anyway
B. Explain the procedure in detail
C. Notify the surgeon
D. Ask a family member to explain it
Answer: C. Notify the surgeon
Rationale: The surgeon or other authorized provider must clarify
information about the procedure. The nurse should not provide
explanations beyond their scope or proceed when informed consent is
not adequately understood.
6. Which medication should the nurse question before surgery because
it can increase bleeding risk?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Aspirin
C. Famotidine
D. Ondansetron
Answer: B. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and can increase
perioperative bleeding. The perioperative team should determine
whether and when it should be withheld.
7. A nurse is completing a preoperative assessment. Which information
is most important to obtain regarding previous anesthesia?
, A. Favorite anesthetic medication
B. History of malignant hyperthermia
C. Previous postoperative appetite
D. Preferred postoperative position
Answer: B. History of malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: A personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia is a
major perioperative concern because exposure to triggering
anesthetic agents can cause a life-threatening hypermetabolic
reaction.
8. Which client statement indicates understanding of postoperative
coughing and deep-breathing exercises?
A. "I should avoid coughing after surgery."
B. "I will take several shallow breaths every hour."
C. "I will use the incentive spirometer as instructed."
D. "I should remain in bed after surgery."
Answer: C. "I will use the incentive spirometer as instructed."
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion and helps
prevent postoperative atelectasis and respiratory complications.
9. Which assessment finding indicates that a client may have
postoperative respiratory depression?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Blood pressure 128/74 mm Hg
D. Oxygen saturation 98%
NEWEST EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF*
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the nurse's
priority before transferring the client to the operating room?
A. Administer the prescribed preoperative sedative
B. Verify the client's identity and surgical procedure
C. Remove the client's dentures
D. Apply antiembolism stockings
Answer: B. Verify the client's identity and surgical procedure
Rationale: Correct identification and verification of the planned
procedure are essential components of surgical safety and help
prevent wrong-patient or wrong-procedure errors.
2. A client scheduled for surgery asks why they must remain NPO.
Which response should the nurse make?
A. "It prevents postoperative constipation."
B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
C. "It prevents fluid retention."
D. "It decreases postoperative pain."
Answer: B. "It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia."
,Rationale: Fasting decreases stomach contents and lowers the risk of
pulmonary aspiration while protective airway reflexes are impaired by
anesthesia.
3. Which finding should the nurse report before a client undergoes
surgery?
A. Pulse 82/min
B. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Blood pressure 124/76 mm Hg
Answer: B. Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
Rationale: Fever can indicate an active infection or other condition
that could increase perioperative risk and should be evaluated before
surgery.
4. A nurse is reviewing informed consent with a client. Which
responsibility belongs to the nurse?
A. Explain all surgical risks and alternatives
B. Obtain the surgeon's signature
C. Witness the client's signature
D. Determine whether surgery is necessary
Answer: C. Witness the client's signature
Rationale: The provider performing the procedure is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse
may witness the client's voluntary signature and verify that the client
appears to understand that consent is being given.
,5. A client says, "I don't understand what the surgeon told me about
the procedure." What should the nurse do?
A. Ask the client to sign the consent anyway
B. Explain the procedure in detail
C. Notify the surgeon
D. Ask a family member to explain it
Answer: C. Notify the surgeon
Rationale: The surgeon or other authorized provider must clarify
information about the procedure. The nurse should not provide
explanations beyond their scope or proceed when informed consent is
not adequately understood.
6. Which medication should the nurse question before surgery because
it can increase bleeding risk?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Aspirin
C. Famotidine
D. Ondansetron
Answer: B. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and can increase
perioperative bleeding. The perioperative team should determine
whether and when it should be withheld.
7. A nurse is completing a preoperative assessment. Which information
is most important to obtain regarding previous anesthesia?
, A. Favorite anesthetic medication
B. History of malignant hyperthermia
C. Previous postoperative appetite
D. Preferred postoperative position
Answer: B. History of malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: A personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia is a
major perioperative concern because exposure to triggering
anesthetic agents can cause a life-threatening hypermetabolic
reaction.
8. Which client statement indicates understanding of postoperative
coughing and deep-breathing exercises?
A. "I should avoid coughing after surgery."
B. "I will take several shallow breaths every hour."
C. "I will use the incentive spirometer as instructed."
D. "I should remain in bed after surgery."
Answer: C. "I will use the incentive spirometer as instructed."
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion and helps
prevent postoperative atelectasis and respiratory complications.
9. Which assessment finding indicates that a client may have
postoperative respiratory depression?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Blood pressure 128/74 mm Hg
D. Oxygen saturation 98%
