NCLEX-Style Test Bank
Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and
Intraoperative Surgical Patients
Unit II: Medical–Surgical Patient Care Problems
Based on: Medical-Surgical Nursing – Concepts and Practice
5th Edition by Holly K. Stromberg
✔ 50 Original NCLEX-Style Questions
✔ Detailed Rationales for Every Answer
✔ Based on 2025 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan
✔ Ideal for ATI, HESI, and Nursing School Prep
Released: 2025
,NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and Intraoperative
Surgical Patients (Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th
Ed (2025)
1. A patient scheduled for elective knee replacement asks why they must stop taking aspirin
before surgery. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. “It can make anesthesia less effective.”
B. “It might interact with your antibiotics.”
C. “It increases your risk of excessive bleeding.”
D. “It causes postoperative nausea.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, which increases bleeding risk during surgery. It
is typically stopped days before an elective procedure.
2. Which action by the scrub nurse best demonstrates their role in the surgical team?
A. Monitoring vital signs
B. Passing instruments in the sterile field
C. Administering anesthesia
D. Communicating with the family
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse works within the sterile field, handing instruments to the surgeon
and maintaining surgical asepsis.
3. A patient donates their own blood in preparation for scheduled surgery. This is known as:
A. Directed donation
B. Allogeneic transfusion
C. Autologous transfusion
D. Cross-matching
Answer: C
Rationale: Autologous transfusion involves collecting and storing the patient’s own blood
before surgery to reduce the risk of transfusion reactions.
4. Which surgical procedure is classified as urgent?
A. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis
B. Cosmetic breast augmentation
C. Carpal tunnel release
D. Coronary artery bypass after myocardial infarction
2
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and Intraoperative
Surgical Patients (Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th
Ed (2025)
Answer: A
Rationale: Urgent surgery is required within 24–48 hours to prevent further complications.
Acute appendicitis is a common example.
5. Which nursing intervention is most important immediately before administering general
anesthesia?
A. Insert a urinary catheter
B. Apply compression stockings
C. Verify the patient’s identity and surgical consent
D. Educate the family about PACU protocols
Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety and informed consent verification are essential preoperative steps
before any sedation or anesthesia is administered.
6. A patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is concerned about recovery. What is the
best explanation the nurse can provide about minimally invasive surgery?
A. “There will be no pain afterward.”
B. “The surgeon will perform it robotically.”
C. “You will have smaller incisions and often faster recovery.”
D. “You will stay in the hospital for several days.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy often result in less tissue trauma,
reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Use of local anesthetics only
B. Family history of anesthetic complications
C. Hypothermia
D. Latex sensitivity
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic reaction to certain general anesthetics and
muscle relaxants. A family history should be reported immediately.
3
Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and
Intraoperative Surgical Patients
Unit II: Medical–Surgical Patient Care Problems
Based on: Medical-Surgical Nursing – Concepts and Practice
5th Edition by Holly K. Stromberg
✔ 50 Original NCLEX-Style Questions
✔ Detailed Rationales for Every Answer
✔ Based on 2025 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan
✔ Ideal for ATI, HESI, and Nursing School Prep
Released: 2025
,NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and Intraoperative
Surgical Patients (Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th
Ed (2025)
1. A patient scheduled for elective knee replacement asks why they must stop taking aspirin
before surgery. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. “It can make anesthesia less effective.”
B. “It might interact with your antibiotics.”
C. “It increases your risk of excessive bleeding.”
D. “It causes postoperative nausea.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, which increases bleeding risk during surgery. It
is typically stopped days before an elective procedure.
2. Which action by the scrub nurse best demonstrates their role in the surgical team?
A. Monitoring vital signs
B. Passing instruments in the sterile field
C. Administering anesthesia
D. Communicating with the family
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse works within the sterile field, handing instruments to the surgeon
and maintaining surgical asepsis.
3. A patient donates their own blood in preparation for scheduled surgery. This is known as:
A. Directed donation
B. Allogeneic transfusion
C. Autologous transfusion
D. Cross-matching
Answer: C
Rationale: Autologous transfusion involves collecting and storing the patient’s own blood
before surgery to reduce the risk of transfusion reactions.
4. Which surgical procedure is classified as urgent?
A. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis
B. Cosmetic breast augmentation
C. Carpal tunnel release
D. Coronary artery bypass after myocardial infarction
2
, NCLEX Test Bank – Chapter 4: Care of Preoperative and Intraoperative
Surgical Patients (Unit II) | 50 Questions + Rationales | Stromberg 5th
Ed (2025)
Answer: A
Rationale: Urgent surgery is required within 24–48 hours to prevent further complications.
Acute appendicitis is a common example.
5. Which nursing intervention is most important immediately before administering general
anesthesia?
A. Insert a urinary catheter
B. Apply compression stockings
C. Verify the patient’s identity and surgical consent
D. Educate the family about PACU protocols
Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety and informed consent verification are essential preoperative steps
before any sedation or anesthesia is administered.
6. A patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy is concerned about recovery. What is the
best explanation the nurse can provide about minimally invasive surgery?
A. “There will be no pain afterward.”
B. “The surgeon will perform it robotically.”
C. “You will have smaller incisions and often faster recovery.”
D. “You will stay in the hospital for several days.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy often result in less tissue trauma,
reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.
7. Which of the following is a risk factor for malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Use of local anesthetics only
B. Family history of anesthetic complications
C. Hypothermia
D. Latex sensitivity
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic reaction to certain general anesthetics and
muscle relaxants. A family history should be reported immediately.
3
