NURS 3730 Study Guide Questions with
Complete Answers 2026-2027.
Reason for Surgery --> Diagnostic: - Answer Determines origin and cause of disorder
Reason for Surgery --> Curative - Answer Resolves health problem by repairing or removing
cause
Reason for Surgery --> Restorative - Answer Improves patient's functional ability
Reasons for Surgery --> Palliative - Answer Relieves symptoms of disease process, but does not
cure
Reason for Surgery --> Cosmetic - Answer performed to alter or enhance appearance
urgency of surgery - Answer elective, urgent, emergent
degree of risk of surgery - Answer minor and major
Extent of Surgery - Answer simple. radical, minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
Elective surgery - Answer Planned for correction of a nonacute problem, not life threatening.
[Cataract removal, hernia repair, hemorrhoidectomy, total joint replacement]
urgent surgery - Answer Requires prompt intervention; may be life threatening if treatment is
delayed more than 24-48 hrs
[Intestinal obstruction, Bladder obstruction, kidney or ureteral stones, Bone fracture, Eye injury,
Acute cholecystitis]
emergent surgery - Answer Requires immediate intervention because of life-threatening
consequences
Gunshot or stab wound, Severe bleeding, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Compound fracture,
Appendectomy
Simple (extent of surgery) - Answer Only the most overtly affected areas involved in the
surgery
Simple/partial mastectomy
, Radical (extent of surgery) - Answer Extensive surgery beyond the area obviously involved; is
directed at finding a root cause
(Radical prostatectomy, Radical hysterectomy)
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (extent of surgery) - Answer Surgery performed in a body
cavity or body area through one or more endoscopes; can correct problems, remove organs,
take tissue for biopsy, re-route blood vessels and drainage systems; is a fast-growing and ever-
changing type of surgery
(Arthroscopy, Tubal ligation, Hysterectomy, Lung lobectomy, Coronary artery bypass,
Cholecystectomy)
Cardiovascular system assessment - Answer CAD, MI within 6 months before surgery, angina,
hypertension, dysrhythmias
•Examine the patient's hands and feet for temperature, color, peripheral pulses, capillary refill,
and edema. Report any problems (e.g., absent peripheral pulses, pitting edema, cardiac
symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dyspnea) to the surgeon for further assessment
and evaluation.
Respiratory system assessment - Answer Chronic respiratory problems
Smoking increases carboxyhemoglobin blood level, decreases oxygen delivery
- Considers age, smoking history (including exposure to secondhand smoke), and any chronic
illness.
- Obese patients may have undiagnosed respiratory problems such as obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA), which can lead to complications from anesthesia.
- Observe the patient's posture; respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth; overall respiratory effort;
and lung expansion.
- Document any clubbing of the fingertips (swelling at the base of the nail beds caused by a
chronic lack of oxygen) or cyanosis. Auscultate the lungs to assess for any abnormal breath
sounds (crackles, wheezes, rubs).
Renal/urinary system assessment - Answer kidney impairment inhibits drugs/anesthetic agent
excretion
Complete Answers 2026-2027.
Reason for Surgery --> Diagnostic: - Answer Determines origin and cause of disorder
Reason for Surgery --> Curative - Answer Resolves health problem by repairing or removing
cause
Reason for Surgery --> Restorative - Answer Improves patient's functional ability
Reasons for Surgery --> Palliative - Answer Relieves symptoms of disease process, but does not
cure
Reason for Surgery --> Cosmetic - Answer performed to alter or enhance appearance
urgency of surgery - Answer elective, urgent, emergent
degree of risk of surgery - Answer minor and major
Extent of Surgery - Answer simple. radical, minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
Elective surgery - Answer Planned for correction of a nonacute problem, not life threatening.
[Cataract removal, hernia repair, hemorrhoidectomy, total joint replacement]
urgent surgery - Answer Requires prompt intervention; may be life threatening if treatment is
delayed more than 24-48 hrs
[Intestinal obstruction, Bladder obstruction, kidney or ureteral stones, Bone fracture, Eye injury,
Acute cholecystitis]
emergent surgery - Answer Requires immediate intervention because of life-threatening
consequences
Gunshot or stab wound, Severe bleeding, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Compound fracture,
Appendectomy
Simple (extent of surgery) - Answer Only the most overtly affected areas involved in the
surgery
Simple/partial mastectomy
, Radical (extent of surgery) - Answer Extensive surgery beyond the area obviously involved; is
directed at finding a root cause
(Radical prostatectomy, Radical hysterectomy)
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (extent of surgery) - Answer Surgery performed in a body
cavity or body area through one or more endoscopes; can correct problems, remove organs,
take tissue for biopsy, re-route blood vessels and drainage systems; is a fast-growing and ever-
changing type of surgery
(Arthroscopy, Tubal ligation, Hysterectomy, Lung lobectomy, Coronary artery bypass,
Cholecystectomy)
Cardiovascular system assessment - Answer CAD, MI within 6 months before surgery, angina,
hypertension, dysrhythmias
•Examine the patient's hands and feet for temperature, color, peripheral pulses, capillary refill,
and edema. Report any problems (e.g., absent peripheral pulses, pitting edema, cardiac
symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dyspnea) to the surgeon for further assessment
and evaluation.
Respiratory system assessment - Answer Chronic respiratory problems
Smoking increases carboxyhemoglobin blood level, decreases oxygen delivery
- Considers age, smoking history (including exposure to secondhand smoke), and any chronic
illness.
- Obese patients may have undiagnosed respiratory problems such as obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA), which can lead to complications from anesthesia.
- Observe the patient's posture; respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth; overall respiratory effort;
and lung expansion.
- Document any clubbing of the fingertips (swelling at the base of the nail beds caused by a
chronic lack of oxygen) or cyanosis. Auscultate the lungs to assess for any abnormal breath
sounds (crackles, wheezes, rubs).
Renal/urinary system assessment - Answer kidney impairment inhibits drugs/anesthetic agent
excretion
