CHAPTER 18 PREOPERATIVE CARE HARDING LEWIS’S MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING, 12TH
EDITION – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
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CORE DOMAINS
• Preoperative assessment and risk identification
• Patient preparation and informed consent
• Physical preparation for surgery
• Psychological and educational preparation
• Medication management and perioperative safety
• Infection prevention and surgical-site preparation
• Nutrition, hydration, and elimination considerations
• Patient safety, documentation, and communication
• Special populations and factors affecting surgical risk
INTRODUCTION
This assessment reviews essential preoperative-care concepts associated with medical-
surgical nursing practice. The questions evaluate knowledge of preoperative assessment,
patient preparation, informed consent, medication considerations, psychological support,
teaching, infection prevention, safety, and recognition of factors that may increase
perioperative risk. Multiple-choice questions are used to assess both foundational knowledge
and the ability to apply principles to realistic patient situations. Effective preparation requires
more than memorizing procedures; nurses must interpret assessment findings, identify
potential risks, communicate important information, and support patients before surgery.
The questions therefore emphasize clinical reasoning, prioritization, patient education,
safety, and appropriate nursing responsibilities.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. What is the primary purpose of preoperative nursing assessment?
A. To determine the patient's insurance eligibility
B. To identify factors that may affect surgical outcomes
C. To select the surgeon for the procedure
D. To eliminate the need for postoperative assessment
Correct Answer: B. To identify factors that may affect surgical outcomes
Explanation: A comprehensive preoperative assessment identifies medical, psychological,
nutritional, medication-related, and other factors that may increase perioperative risk. These
,findings help the healthcare team plan appropriate interventions and promote patient
safety.
Question 2. Which finding should the nurse consider most important when assessing a
patient before surgery?
A. The patient's favorite food
B. The patient's preferred hospital television channel
C. A history of an adverse reaction to anesthesia
D. The patient's usual bedtime
Correct Answer: C. A history of an adverse reaction to anesthesia
Explanation: Previous complications or adverse reactions to anesthesia are highly relevant
to perioperative planning. This information must be communicated to the appropriate
healthcare professionals so anesthesia-related risks can be addressed.
Question 3. Which component of the health history is particularly important before
surgery?
A. Previous surgical experiences
B. Preferred recreational activities
C. Favorite clothing style
D. Typical television viewing habits
Correct Answer: A. Previous surgical experiences
Explanation: Previous surgeries can reveal complications such as difficult intubation,
abnormal bleeding, adverse anesthesia reactions, or postoperative nausea. This information
can influence the current perioperative plan.
Question 4. A patient reports taking several prescription medications, herbal preparations,
and over-the-counter drugs. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Document only prescription medications
B. Tell the patient to stop everything immediately
C. Obtain a complete medication history and communicate relevant findings
D. Ignore nonprescription products because they are harmless
Correct Answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history and communicate relevant
findings
Explanation: All medications, supplements, and herbal products should be identified
because some can affect bleeding, blood pressure, glucose levels, or anesthesia. Medication
changes should occur according to the surgical team's instructions rather than through an
unsupervised decision by the patient.
, Question 5. Which assessment finding may increase a patient's risk for postoperative
respiratory complications?
A. Regular exercise
B. A history of chronic respiratory disease
C. Adequate hydration
D. Normal nutritional status
Correct Answer: B. A history of chronic respiratory disease
Explanation: Chronic respiratory conditions can reduce pulmonary reserve and increase the
risk of complications such as hypoventilation, atelectasis, and impaired oxygenation after
surgery.
Question 6. What is the purpose of obtaining baseline vital signs before surgery?
A. To determine the patient's insurance classification
B. To provide data for comparison during the perioperative period
C. To determine whether the patient can choose the anesthetic
D. To replace the physical examination
Correct Answer: B. To provide data for comparison during the perioperative period
Explanation: Baseline vital signs establish the patient's condition before anesthesia and
surgery. Changes occurring later can then be compared with these baseline measurements
to identify potential complications.
Question 7. Which question is most appropriate when assessing a patient's previous
response to anesthesia?
A. "What television programs do you watch?"
B. "Have you or a family member ever had a serious reaction to anesthesia?"
C. "What is your favorite restaurant?"
D. "Do you prefer morning or evening appointments?"
Correct Answer: B. "Have you or a family member ever had a serious reaction to
anesthesia?"
Explanation: A history of anesthesia-related complications in the patient or family may
provide important information about potential perioperative risks. The nurse should
document and communicate relevant findings.
Question 8. Which patient statement indicates an understanding of the purpose of
preoperative teaching?
A. "Teaching is only necessary if something goes wrong."
B. "The information can help me participate safely in my recovery."
EDITION – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
*
*
CORE DOMAINS
• Preoperative assessment and risk identification
• Patient preparation and informed consent
• Physical preparation for surgery
• Psychological and educational preparation
• Medication management and perioperative safety
• Infection prevention and surgical-site preparation
• Nutrition, hydration, and elimination considerations
• Patient safety, documentation, and communication
• Special populations and factors affecting surgical risk
INTRODUCTION
This assessment reviews essential preoperative-care concepts associated with medical-
surgical nursing practice. The questions evaluate knowledge of preoperative assessment,
patient preparation, informed consent, medication considerations, psychological support,
teaching, infection prevention, safety, and recognition of factors that may increase
perioperative risk. Multiple-choice questions are used to assess both foundational knowledge
and the ability to apply principles to realistic patient situations. Effective preparation requires
more than memorizing procedures; nurses must interpret assessment findings, identify
potential risks, communicate important information, and support patients before surgery.
The questions therefore emphasize clinical reasoning, prioritization, patient education,
safety, and appropriate nursing responsibilities.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. What is the primary purpose of preoperative nursing assessment?
A. To determine the patient's insurance eligibility
B. To identify factors that may affect surgical outcomes
C. To select the surgeon for the procedure
D. To eliminate the need for postoperative assessment
Correct Answer: B. To identify factors that may affect surgical outcomes
Explanation: A comprehensive preoperative assessment identifies medical, psychological,
nutritional, medication-related, and other factors that may increase perioperative risk. These
,findings help the healthcare team plan appropriate interventions and promote patient
safety.
Question 2. Which finding should the nurse consider most important when assessing a
patient before surgery?
A. The patient's favorite food
B. The patient's preferred hospital television channel
C. A history of an adverse reaction to anesthesia
D. The patient's usual bedtime
Correct Answer: C. A history of an adverse reaction to anesthesia
Explanation: Previous complications or adverse reactions to anesthesia are highly relevant
to perioperative planning. This information must be communicated to the appropriate
healthcare professionals so anesthesia-related risks can be addressed.
Question 3. Which component of the health history is particularly important before
surgery?
A. Previous surgical experiences
B. Preferred recreational activities
C. Favorite clothing style
D. Typical television viewing habits
Correct Answer: A. Previous surgical experiences
Explanation: Previous surgeries can reveal complications such as difficult intubation,
abnormal bleeding, adverse anesthesia reactions, or postoperative nausea. This information
can influence the current perioperative plan.
Question 4. A patient reports taking several prescription medications, herbal preparations,
and over-the-counter drugs. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Document only prescription medications
B. Tell the patient to stop everything immediately
C. Obtain a complete medication history and communicate relevant findings
D. Ignore nonprescription products because they are harmless
Correct Answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history and communicate relevant
findings
Explanation: All medications, supplements, and herbal products should be identified
because some can affect bleeding, blood pressure, glucose levels, or anesthesia. Medication
changes should occur according to the surgical team's instructions rather than through an
unsupervised decision by the patient.
, Question 5. Which assessment finding may increase a patient's risk for postoperative
respiratory complications?
A. Regular exercise
B. A history of chronic respiratory disease
C. Adequate hydration
D. Normal nutritional status
Correct Answer: B. A history of chronic respiratory disease
Explanation: Chronic respiratory conditions can reduce pulmonary reserve and increase the
risk of complications such as hypoventilation, atelectasis, and impaired oxygenation after
surgery.
Question 6. What is the purpose of obtaining baseline vital signs before surgery?
A. To determine the patient's insurance classification
B. To provide data for comparison during the perioperative period
C. To determine whether the patient can choose the anesthetic
D. To replace the physical examination
Correct Answer: B. To provide data for comparison during the perioperative period
Explanation: Baseline vital signs establish the patient's condition before anesthesia and
surgery. Changes occurring later can then be compared with these baseline measurements
to identify potential complications.
Question 7. Which question is most appropriate when assessing a patient's previous
response to anesthesia?
A. "What television programs do you watch?"
B. "Have you or a family member ever had a serious reaction to anesthesia?"
C. "What is your favorite restaurant?"
D. "Do you prefer morning or evening appointments?"
Correct Answer: B. "Have you or a family member ever had a serious reaction to
anesthesia?"
Explanation: A history of anesthesia-related complications in the patient or family may
provide important information about potential perioperative risks. The nurse should
document and communicate relevant findings.
Question 8. Which patient statement indicates an understanding of the purpose of
preoperative teaching?
A. "Teaching is only necessary if something goes wrong."
B. "The information can help me participate safely in my recovery."
