Med Surg Exam 1 [2026] | UPDATED ACTUAL | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | DETAILED
EXAM REVIEW
• A fractured skull would be classified under which category of surgery based on
urgency? -✓✓ANSWER: Emergent
Emergent surgery occurs when the client requires immediate attention. An
elective surgery is classified as a surgery that the client should have. A required
surgery means that the client needs to have surgery. An urgent surgery occurs
when the client requires prompt attention.
• For the client who is taking aspirin, it is important to stop taking this medication
at least how many day(s) before surgery? -✓✓ANSWER: 7
• Which health care profession has the ultimate responsibility to provide
appropriate information regarding a nonemergent surgery? -✓✓ANSWER:
Physician
• The nurse discovers that the client did not sign the operative consent before
receiving the preoperative medication. The appropriate nursing action is: -
✓✓ANSWER: To notify the surgeon
• The nurse expects informed consent to be obtained for insertion of: -
✓✓ANSWER: A gastrostomy tube
• You are the nurse working in an ambulatory surgery center. A teenage son of
your clients ask you why so many people have surgery. What would be your best
,reply? -✓✓ANSWER: "Many people have diagnostic or short therapeutic surgical
procedures."
• A client is scheduled for a surgical procedure. When planning the client's care,
the nurse should consider that which of the following conditions will increase the
client's risk of complications after surgery? -✓✓ANSWER: A history of diabetes
• At what point does the preoperative period end? -✓✓ANSWER: When the client
is transferred onto the operating table
The preoperative phase begins when the decision to proceed with surgical
intervention is made and ends with the transfer of the client onto the OR table.
The intraoperative phase begins when the client is transferred onto the operating
table and ends with admission to the PACU.
• A client is being prepared for a same-day surgical procedure and is discussing
with the nurse what potential ramifications this type of surgery has. Which of the
following would the nurse correctly identify? Select all that apply. -✓✓ANSWER:
Need for teaching is increased.
The client will leave the hospital sooner than in the past.
The client must be prepared to take on more self-care than he or she may have
done in the past.
• When is the ideal time to discuss preoperative teaching -✓✓ANSWER:
Preadmission visit
,• A client is undergoing preoperative assessment. During admission paperwork,
the client reports having enjoyed a hearty breakfast this morning to be ready for
the procedure. What is the nurse's next action? -✓✓ANSWER: Notify the surgeon.
• A 17-year-old client is having same-day surgery. Solely during the intraoperative
phase of perioperative care, the nurse: -✓✓ANSWER: continuously monitors the
sedated client.
• A physically fit 86-year-old is scheduled for right knee replacement. Which
factor the client at increased risk for complications during or after surgery? -
✓✓ANSWER: Age
• A nurse is witnessing a client sign the consent form for surgery. After signing the
consent form, the client starts asking questions regarding the risks and benefits of
a surgical procedure. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? -
✓✓ANSWER: Request that the surgeon come and answer the questions.
• A client is undergoing thoracic surgery. What priority education should the
nurse provide to assist in preventing respiratory complications? -✓✓ANSWER:
Splint the incision site using a pillow during deep breathing and coughing
exercises.
• A client refuses to remove her wedding band when preparing for surgery. What
is the best action for the nurse to take? -✓✓ANSWER: Allow the client to wear the
ring and cover it with tape.
• A patient with uncontrolled diabetes is scheduled for a surgical procedure.
What chief life-threatening hazard should the nurse monitor for? -✓✓ANSWER:
Hypoglycemia
, • The nurse is monitoring a presurgical patient for electrolyte imbalance. Which
classification of medication may cause electrolyte imbalance? -✓✓ANSWER:
Diuretics
• A nurse knows that she must obtain a signed informed consent for which of the
following procedures? Select all that apply. -✓✓ANSWER: Arteriography
Open reduction of a fracture
Cystoscopy
Paracentesis
• A nurse is teaching a client with chronic bronchitis about breathing exercises.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ANSWER: Use
diaphragmatic breathing.
• When the indication for surgery is without delay, the nurse recognizes that the
surgery will be classified as -✓✓ANSWER: emergency.
Emergency surgery means that the client requires immediate attention and the
disorder may be life threatening. Urgent surgery means that the client requires
prompt attention within 24 to 30 hours. Required surgery means that the client
needs to have surgery, and it should be planned within a few weeks or months.
Elective surgery means that there is an indication for surgery, but failure to have
surgery will not be catastrophic.
• Clients who have received corticosteroids preoperatively are at risk for which
type of insufficiency? -✓✓ANSWER: Adrenal
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | DETAILED
EXAM REVIEW
• A fractured skull would be classified under which category of surgery based on
urgency? -✓✓ANSWER: Emergent
Emergent surgery occurs when the client requires immediate attention. An
elective surgery is classified as a surgery that the client should have. A required
surgery means that the client needs to have surgery. An urgent surgery occurs
when the client requires prompt attention.
• For the client who is taking aspirin, it is important to stop taking this medication
at least how many day(s) before surgery? -✓✓ANSWER: 7
• Which health care profession has the ultimate responsibility to provide
appropriate information regarding a nonemergent surgery? -✓✓ANSWER:
Physician
• The nurse discovers that the client did not sign the operative consent before
receiving the preoperative medication. The appropriate nursing action is: -
✓✓ANSWER: To notify the surgeon
• The nurse expects informed consent to be obtained for insertion of: -
✓✓ANSWER: A gastrostomy tube
• You are the nurse working in an ambulatory surgery center. A teenage son of
your clients ask you why so many people have surgery. What would be your best
,reply? -✓✓ANSWER: "Many people have diagnostic or short therapeutic surgical
procedures."
• A client is scheduled for a surgical procedure. When planning the client's care,
the nurse should consider that which of the following conditions will increase the
client's risk of complications after surgery? -✓✓ANSWER: A history of diabetes
• At what point does the preoperative period end? -✓✓ANSWER: When the client
is transferred onto the operating table
The preoperative phase begins when the decision to proceed with surgical
intervention is made and ends with the transfer of the client onto the OR table.
The intraoperative phase begins when the client is transferred onto the operating
table and ends with admission to the PACU.
• A client is being prepared for a same-day surgical procedure and is discussing
with the nurse what potential ramifications this type of surgery has. Which of the
following would the nurse correctly identify? Select all that apply. -✓✓ANSWER:
Need for teaching is increased.
The client will leave the hospital sooner than in the past.
The client must be prepared to take on more self-care than he or she may have
done in the past.
• When is the ideal time to discuss preoperative teaching -✓✓ANSWER:
Preadmission visit
,• A client is undergoing preoperative assessment. During admission paperwork,
the client reports having enjoyed a hearty breakfast this morning to be ready for
the procedure. What is the nurse's next action? -✓✓ANSWER: Notify the surgeon.
• A 17-year-old client is having same-day surgery. Solely during the intraoperative
phase of perioperative care, the nurse: -✓✓ANSWER: continuously monitors the
sedated client.
• A physically fit 86-year-old is scheduled for right knee replacement. Which
factor the client at increased risk for complications during or after surgery? -
✓✓ANSWER: Age
• A nurse is witnessing a client sign the consent form for surgery. After signing the
consent form, the client starts asking questions regarding the risks and benefits of
a surgical procedure. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? -
✓✓ANSWER: Request that the surgeon come and answer the questions.
• A client is undergoing thoracic surgery. What priority education should the
nurse provide to assist in preventing respiratory complications? -✓✓ANSWER:
Splint the incision site using a pillow during deep breathing and coughing
exercises.
• A client refuses to remove her wedding band when preparing for surgery. What
is the best action for the nurse to take? -✓✓ANSWER: Allow the client to wear the
ring and cover it with tape.
• A patient with uncontrolled diabetes is scheduled for a surgical procedure.
What chief life-threatening hazard should the nurse monitor for? -✓✓ANSWER:
Hypoglycemia
, • The nurse is monitoring a presurgical patient for electrolyte imbalance. Which
classification of medication may cause electrolyte imbalance? -✓✓ANSWER:
Diuretics
• A nurse knows that she must obtain a signed informed consent for which of the
following procedures? Select all that apply. -✓✓ANSWER: Arteriography
Open reduction of a fracture
Cystoscopy
Paracentesis
• A nurse is teaching a client with chronic bronchitis about breathing exercises.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ANSWER: Use
diaphragmatic breathing.
• When the indication for surgery is without delay, the nurse recognizes that the
surgery will be classified as -✓✓ANSWER: emergency.
Emergency surgery means that the client requires immediate attention and the
disorder may be life threatening. Urgent surgery means that the client requires
prompt attention within 24 to 30 hours. Required surgery means that the client
needs to have surgery, and it should be planned within a few weeks or months.
Elective surgery means that there is an indication for surgery, but failure to have
surgery will not be catastrophic.
• Clients who have received corticosteroids preoperatively are at risk for which
type of insufficiency? -✓✓ANSWER: Adrenal
