Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the primary concern for a nurse when caring for a postoperative patient?
A) Pain management
B) Early ambulation
C) Wound care
D) Prevention of infection
Answer: D) Prevention of infection
What is the purpose of a surgical consent form?
A) To ensure the patient understands the surgery’s risks and benefits
B) To authorize the physician to perform the surgery
C) To reduce the risk of surgical complications
D) To provide legal protection for the hospital
Answer: A) To ensure the patient understands the surgery’s risks and benefits
After a patient undergoes general anesthesia, what is the first priority in the postoperative phase?
A) Administering pain medication
B) Monitoring vital signs
C) Providing nutrition
D) Ambulation
Answer: B) Monitoring vital signs
Which action should the nurse take immediately after a patient comes out of surgery and is still under the effects of anesthesia?
A) Assist the patient to sit up
B) Administer pain medication
C) Assess the patient’s respiratory status
D) Provide the patient with fluids
Answer: C) Assess the patient’s respiratory status
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. The nurse should:
A) Empty the drain when it is half full
B) Change the drain every 12 hours
C) Monitor the drainage color and amount
D) Ensure the drain is disconnected from the tubing
Answer: C) Monitor the drainage color and amount
What is the most important nursing intervention to prevent postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Early ambulation
B) Administering anticoagulants
C) Applying compression stockings
D) Encouraging fluid intake
Answer: A) Early ambulation
Which of the following would be the best indication that a patient is at risk for postoperative complications?
A) A temperature of 100°F (37.8°C)
B) A heart rate of 80 bpm
C) A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
D) A respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute
Answer: A) A temperature of 100°F (37.8°C)
What should the nurse do if a surgical wound begins to dehisce?
A) Apply a dry sterile dressing and notify the physician
B) Administer antibiotics immediately
C) Apply an ice pack to the wound
D) Encourage the patient to deep breathe
Answer: A) Apply a dry sterile dressing and notify the physician
What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient with a history of smoking who is recovering from surgery?
A) Encouraging the patient to deep breathe
B) Providing increased fluids
C) Administering high doses of pain medication
D) Teaching the patient about smoking cessation
Answer: A) Encouraging the patient to deep breathe
A patient is being discharged after a major abdominal surgery. Which of the following instructions is most important to provide?
A) Take pain medication only as needed
B) Follow up with the surgeon for a wound check
C) Avoid any strenuous activity for the first week
D) Eat high-protein foods to promote healing
Answer: B) Follow up with the surgeon for a wound check
What is the primary purpose of the preoperative assessment?
A) To assess the patient’s emotional response to surgery
B) To identify the patient’s physical and psychological health status
C) To inform the family about the procedure
D) To determine if the patient is able to pay for surgery
Answer: B) To identify the patient’s physical and psychological health status
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had surgery and is receiving intravenous (IV) fluids. Which is the priority when assessing the patient?
A) Pain level
B) Fluid balance
C) Mobility
D) Nutritional status
Answer: B) Fluid balance
When should the nurse administer a preoperative antibiotic?
A) Immediately after surgery
B) Within 30 minutes before incision
C) 1 hour after the procedure
D) When the patient begins to feel anxious
Answer: B) Within 30 minutes before incision
A patient is being prepared for surgery under regional anesthesia. Which of the following should the nurse inform the patient about?
A) They will be unconscious during the procedure
B) They will feel numbness in the area of surgery
C) They will not be able to move during the surgery
D) They will feel a burning sensation in their throat
Answer: B) They will feel numbness in the area of surgery
A patient’s temperature is elevated 48 hours post-surgery. What is the most likely cause of the fever?
A) Postoperative infection
B) Normal response to surgery
C) Inflammatory response to the incision
D) Reaction to anesthesia
Answer: C) Inflammatory response to the incision
After surgery, the nurse finds a patient’s surgical dressing is saturated with blood. What is the priority action?
A) Reinforce the dressing with a clean, dry bandage
B) Notify the physician and prepare for possible surgical intervention
C) Administer pain medication
D) Monitor the patient’s vital signs
Answer: B) Notify the physician and prepare for possible surgical intervention
What is the most effective way to assess a patient’s airway following surgery?
A) Assess the patient’s skin color
B) Listen for breath sounds
C) Ask the patient to speak
D) Check the pulse oximeter reading
Answer: C) Ask the patient to speak
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is experiencing nausea and vomiting. Which intervention should be prioritized?
A) Administering antiemetic medication
B) Encouraging deep breathing
C) Providing a cool compress to the forehead
D) Offering fluids to the patient
Answer: A) Administering antiemetic medication
What is the main purpose of a postoperative chest X-ray?
A) To assess lung function
B) To determine the presence of blood clots
C) To evaluate the surgical site
D) To check for signs of infection
Answer: A) To assess lung function
A patient is to be discharged after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) “You may resume heavy activity after 48 hours.”
B) “It is normal to experience shoulder pain for several days.”
C) “You should avoid drinking fluids for the first 24 hours.”
D) “You must not shower for one week.”
Answer: B) “It is normal to experience shoulder pain for several days.”
A patient has an indwelling urinary catheter post-surgery. The nurse should monitor for:
A) Urine output less than 30 mL/hour
B) Dark brown urine
C) Fever with chills
D) Clear, non-odorous urine
Answer: A) Urine output less than 30 mL/hour
Which is the most important factor for the nurse to monitor in a patient receiving postoperative narcotics?
A) Heart rate
B) Pain level
C) Respiratory rate
D) Blood pressure
Answer: C) Respiratory rate
The nurse should assess for which of the following signs that would indicate the need for a surgical wound dressing change?
A) No drainage for 24 hours
B) The wound is dry and intact
C) Purulent drainage or increased redness at the incision site
D) Clear drainage
Answer: C) Purulent drainage or increased redness at the incision site
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is at risk for hypovolemic shock. Which intervention is most important?
A) Administer intravenous fluids
B) Monitor oxygen saturation levels
C) Apply warm compresses to the extremities
D) Monitor the patient for signs of infection
Answer: A) Administer intravenous fluids
A patient is recovering from an appendectomy and is not passing gas. What should the nurse recommend?
A) Increase fluid intake
B) Use a heating pad to relieve discomfort
C) Ambulate the patient to encourage peristalsis
D) Administer an analgesic
Answer: C) Ambulate the patient to encourage peristalsis
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a surgical wound infection?
A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
B) Provide comfort measures
C) Encourage the patient to eat high-protein foods
D) Assess for other signs of infection
Answer: A) Administer prescribed antibiotics
What should the nurse assess before administering postoperative pain medication to a patient?
A) Vital signs and level of consciousness
B) Urinary output
C) Nutritional intake
D) Physical activity level
Answer: A) Vital signs and level of consciousness
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone surgery. The nurse should position the patient:
A) Flat in bed
B) In a high Fowler’s position
C) On the affected side
D) On the unaffected side
Answer: D) On the unaffected side
A patient is at risk for post-surgical complications due to obesity. What should the nurse prioritize in this patient’s care?
A) Assessing for signs of deep vein thrombosis
B) Ensuring adequate hydration
C) Providing a high-fiber diet
D) Ensuring proper wound care
Answer: A) Assessing for signs of deep vein thrombosis
Which is the best way to prevent postoperative pneumonia in a patient who has undergone surgery?
A) Encourage frequent coughing and deep breathing
B) Administer pain medications frequently
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Limit physical activity for the first 48 hours
Answer: A) Encourage frequent coughing and deep breathing
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient and notices that the surgical dressing is saturated with blood. What should the nurse do first?
A) Reinforce the dressing
B) Change the dressing and assess the wound
C) Notify the physician
D) Assess the patient’s vital signs
Answer: D) Assess the patient’s vital signs
After a surgical procedure, a patient begins to cough and have difficulty breathing. What is the most likely cause of this complication?
A) Pneumonia
B) Atelectasis
C) Hypovolemic shock
D) Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B) Atelectasis
The nurse is preparing a postoperative patient for discharge. What is the most important instruction the nurse should give the patient?
A) “Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks.”
B) “It is normal to experience swelling in the surgical area for several days.”
C) “Follow-up with your healthcare provider for a wound check.”
D) “You can resume all normal activities after a week.”
Answer: C) “Follow-up with your healthcare provider for a wound check.”
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has developed hypothermia. What is the priority intervention?
A) Increase the room temperature
B) Apply warm blankets
C) Encourage oral fluids
D) Administer prescribed antibiotics
Answer: B) Apply warm blankets
Which of the following is a common complication in the postoperative period for older adults?
A) Respiratory distress
B) Postoperative confusion or delirium
C) Excessive bleeding
D) Hyperthermia
Answer: B) Postoperative confusion or delirium
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