N172 Final Exam: Comprehensive Practice Questions and Correct Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Complete Exam Review and Study Guide
.
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Care
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which action is the nurse's primary responsibility
regarding informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure to the patient
B) Witnessing the patient's signature on the consent form
C) Determining whether the patient is competent to sign
D) Obtaining the surgical consent from the patient's family
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent. The nurse's role is
to witness the patient's signature and ensure the patient is signing voluntarily and understands the
procedure.
Question 2
A postoperative patient is being monitored for atelectasis. Which assessment finding should
the nurse prioritize?
A) Increased temperature to 101°F
B) Decreased breath sounds at the lung bases
C) Productive cough with yellow sputum
D) Sharp chest pain on inspiration
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli, commonly evidenced by decreased or absent breath sounds in
,the lower lobes due to shallow breathing after surgery.
Question 3
A patient is 12 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which nursing intervention
most effectively prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B) Teaching the patient to cough and deep breathe
C) Massaging the calves every 4 hours
D) Early ambulation and leg exercises
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
** Early ambulation is the most effective way to promote venous return and prevent the formation of
clots in the lower extremities.
Question 4
A patient is admitted to the PACU after general anesthesia. Which assessment is the priority?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency and respiratory status
C) Urine output
D) Surgical site dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Airway patency and respiratory status are the highest priorities in the immediate post-anesthesia
period because anesthetic agents can cause respiratory depression and airway obstruction.
Question 5
2
,Which finding in the immediate postoperative period requires immediate intervention?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Temperature of 100.4°F
C) Dehiscence with evisceration
D) Pain rated 5/10
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
** Evisceration is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Question 6
A patient with a new below-the-knee amputation should be positioned:
A) With the limb extended and elevated
B) In flexion to prevent pain
C) In Trendelenburg position
D) Prone at all times
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
** Extension and elevation help prevent flexion contractures and reduce edema.
Question 7
Which instruction should be given to a patient after cataract surgery?
A) Avoid bending and lifting
B) Rub the eye to relieve itching
C) Sleep on the operative side
D) Avoid all prescribed eye drops
Answer
3
, Answer: A
Rationale
** Bending and lifting increase intraocular pressure and can compromise the surgical site.
Question 8
Which finding indicates a possible hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty?
A) Mild discomfort at the surgical site
B) Sudden severe pain and shortening of the leg
C) Warmth and redness at the incision
D) Itching around the dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Hip dislocation presents with sudden severe pain, shortening of the affected leg, and external
rotation.
Question 9
Which finding indicates a possible complication after thyroid surgery?
A) Mild incisional pain
B) Stridor and neck swelling
C) Hoarseness that improves
D) Dry mouth
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Stridor and neck swelling may indicate hematoma formation or laryngeal edema, both of which are
life-threatening.
4
Rationales | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Complete Exam Review and Study Guide
.
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Care
Question 1
A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which action is the nurse's primary responsibility
regarding informed consent?
A) Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure to the patient
B) Witnessing the patient's signature on the consent form
C) Determining whether the patient is competent to sign
D) Obtaining the surgical consent from the patient's family
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent. The nurse's role is
to witness the patient's signature and ensure the patient is signing voluntarily and understands the
procedure.
Question 2
A postoperative patient is being monitored for atelectasis. Which assessment finding should
the nurse prioritize?
A) Increased temperature to 101°F
B) Decreased breath sounds at the lung bases
C) Productive cough with yellow sputum
D) Sharp chest pain on inspiration
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli, commonly evidenced by decreased or absent breath sounds in
,the lower lobes due to shallow breathing after surgery.
Question 3
A patient is 12 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which nursing intervention
most effectively prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B) Teaching the patient to cough and deep breathe
C) Massaging the calves every 4 hours
D) Early ambulation and leg exercises
Answer
Answer: D
Rationale
** Early ambulation is the most effective way to promote venous return and prevent the formation of
clots in the lower extremities.
Question 4
A patient is admitted to the PACU after general anesthesia. Which assessment is the priority?
A) Pain level
B) Airway patency and respiratory status
C) Urine output
D) Surgical site dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Airway patency and respiratory status are the highest priorities in the immediate post-anesthesia
period because anesthetic agents can cause respiratory depression and airway obstruction.
Question 5
2
,Which finding in the immediate postoperative period requires immediate intervention?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Temperature of 100.4°F
C) Dehiscence with evisceration
D) Pain rated 5/10
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
** Evisceration is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Question 6
A patient with a new below-the-knee amputation should be positioned:
A) With the limb extended and elevated
B) In flexion to prevent pain
C) In Trendelenburg position
D) Prone at all times
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
** Extension and elevation help prevent flexion contractures and reduce edema.
Question 7
Which instruction should be given to a patient after cataract surgery?
A) Avoid bending and lifting
B) Rub the eye to relieve itching
C) Sleep on the operative side
D) Avoid all prescribed eye drops
Answer
3
, Answer: A
Rationale
** Bending and lifting increase intraocular pressure and can compromise the surgical site.
Question 8
Which finding indicates a possible hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty?
A) Mild discomfort at the surgical site
B) Sudden severe pain and shortening of the leg
C) Warmth and redness at the incision
D) Itching around the dressing
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Hip dislocation presents with sudden severe pain, shortening of the affected leg, and external
rotation.
Question 9
Which finding indicates a possible complication after thyroid surgery?
A) Mild incisional pain
B) Stridor and neck swelling
C) Hoarseness that improves
D) Dry mouth
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
** Stridor and neck swelling may indicate hematoma formation or laryngeal edema, both of which are
life-threatening.
4
