Question 1

The nurse demonstrates postoperative exercises for a patient. In which order will the nurse instruct the patient to perform the exercises?
1) Turning
2) Breathing
3) Coughing
4) Leg exercises

Accepted Answer

A)  4, 1, 2, 3 
B)  1, 2, 3, 4 
C)  2, 3, 4, 1 
D)  3, 1, 4, 2

Question 2

The nurse is encouraging a reluctant postoperative patient to deep breathe and cough. Which explanation can the nurse provide that may encourage the patient to comply?

Accepted Answer

A)  "If you don't deep breathe and cough, you will get pneumonia." 
B)  "You will need to cough only a few times during this shift." 
C)  "Let's try clearing the throat because that will work just as well." 
D)  "Deep breathing and coughing will clear out the anesthesia."

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient on the medical-surgical floor. Which activity will the nurse encourage to prevent venous stasis and the formation of thrombus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Diaphragmatic breathing 
B)  Incentive spirometry 
C)  Leg exercises 
D)  Coughing

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient in the preoperative holding area of an ambulatory surgery center. Which nursing action will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this area?

Accepted Answer

A)  Count the sterile surgical instruments. 
B)  Empty the urinary drainage bag. 
C)  Check the surgical dressing. 
D)  Apply a warm blanket.

Question 5

The nurse is monitoring a patient in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for postoperative fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which action will be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Encourage copious amounts of water. 
B)  Start an additional intravenous (IV) line. 
C)  Measure and record all intake and output. 
D)  Weigh the patient and compare with preoperative weight.

Question 6

The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see $\bold{first}$?

Accepted Answer

A)  A patient who had cataract surgery is coughing. 
B)  A patient who had vascular repair of the right leg is not doing right leg exercises. 
C)  A patient after knee surgery is wearing intermittent pneumatic compression devices and receiving heparin. 
D)  A patient after surgery has vital signs taken every 15 minutes twice, every 30 minutes twice, hourly for 2 hours then every 4 hours.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite. Which outcome will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this patient at the end of the intraoperative phase?

Accepted Answer

A)  The patient will be free of burns at the grounding pad. 
B)  The patient will be free of nausea and vomiting. 
C)  The patient will be free of infection. 
D)  The patient will be free of pain.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient who will undergo a removal of a lung lobe. Which level of care will the patient require immediately post procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Acute care-medical-surgical unit 
B)  Acute care-intensive care unit 
C)  Ambulatory surgery 
D)  Ambulatory surgery-extended stay

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient has developed profuse bleeding from the surgical site, and the surgeon has determined the need to return to the operative area. How will the nurse classify this procedure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Major 
B)  Urgent 
C)  Elective 
D)  Emergency

Question 10

The nurse is providing preoperative education and reviews with the patient what it will be like to be in the surgical environment. Which points should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  The operative suite will be very dark. 
B)  The family is not allowed in the operating suite. 
C)  The operating table or bed will be comfortable and soft. 
D)  The nurses will be there to assist you through this process. 
E)  The surgical staff will be dressed in special clothing with hats and masks.

Question 11

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for the ambulatory surgery patient who will be having a cyst removed from the right arm. Which will be the $\bold{best}$ explanation for diet progression after surgery?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Start with clear liquids, soup, and crackers. Advance to a normal diet as tolerated." 
B)  "Stay with ice chips for several hours. After that, you can have whatever you want." 
C)  "Stay on clear liquids for 24 hours. Then you can progress to a normal diet." 
D)  "Start with clear liquids for 2 hours and then full liquids for 2 hours. Then progress to a normal diet."

Question 12

The nurse has completed a preoperative assessment for a patient going to surgery and gathers assessment data. Which will be the $\bold{most}$ important next step for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Notify the operating suite that the patient has a latex allergy. 
B)  Document that the patient had a bath at home this morning. 
C)  Administer the ordered preoperative intravenous antibiotic. 
D)  Ask the nursing assistive personnel to obtain vital signs.

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient asks for a bedpan and states to the nurse, "I feel like I need to go to the bathroom, but I can't." Which nursing intervention will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate initially?

Accepted Answer

A)  Assess the patient for bladder distention. 
B)  Encourage the patient to wait a minute and try again. 
C)  Inform the patient that everyone feels this way after surgery. 
D)  Call the health care provider to obtain an order for catheterization.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit who has undergone a left total knee arthroplasty. The anesthesia provider has indicated that the patient received a left femoral peripheral nerve block. Which assessment will be an expected finding for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sensation decreased in the left leg 
B)  Patient report of pain in the left foot 
C)  Pulse decreased at the left posterior tibia 
D)  Left toes cool to touch and slightly cyanotic

Question 15

The nurse is reviewing the surgical consent with the patient during preoperative education and finds the patient does not understand what procedure will be completed. What is the nurse's best $\bold{next}$ step?

Accepted Answer

A)  Notify the health care provider about the patient's question. 
B)  Explain the procedure that will be completed. 
C)  Continue with preoperative education. 
D)  Ask the patient to sign the form.

Question 16

The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a colonoscopy. The patient is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) during the procedure. How will the nurse interpret this information?

Accepted Answer

A)  The procedure results in loss of sensation in an area of the body. 
B)  The procedure requires a depressed level of consciousness. 
C)  The procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis. 
D)  The procedure necessitates the patient to be immobile.

Question 17

The nurse and the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) are caring for a group of postoperative patients who need turning, coughing, deep breathing, incentive spirometer, and leg exercises. Which task will the nurse assign to the NAP?

Accepted Answer

A)  Teach postoperative exercises. 
B)  Do nothing associated with postoperative exercises. 
C)  Document in the medical record when exercises are completed. 
D)  Inform the nurse if the patient is unwilling to perform exercises.

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has had a minimally invasive carpel tunnel repair. The patient has a temperature of 97° F and is shivering. Which reason will the nurse $\bold{most}$ likely consider as the primary cause when planning care?

Accepted Answer

A)  Anesthesia lowers metabolism. 
B)  Surgical suites have air currents. 
C)  The patient is dressed only in a gown. 
D)  The large open body cavity contributed to heat loss.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with an incision. Which actions will the nurse take to decrease wound infections? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Maintain normoglycemia. 
B)  Use a straight razor to remove hair. 
C)  Provide bath and linen change daily. 
D)  Perform first dressing change 2 days postoperatively. 
E)  Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with the patient.
F) Administer antibiotics within 60 minutes before surgical incision.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a group of postoperative patients on the surgical unit. Which patient assessments indicate the nurse needs to follow up? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient with abdominal surgery has patent airway. 
B)  Patient with knee surgery has approximated incision. 
C)  Patient with femoral artery surgery has strong pedal pulse. 
D)  Patient with lung surgery has 20 mL/hr of urine output via catheter. 
E)  Patient with bladder surgery has bloody urine within the first 12 hours.
F) Patient with appendix surgery has thready pulse and blood pressure is 90/60.

Exam 50: Care of Surgical Patients

The nurse demonstrates postoperative exercises for a patient. In which order will the nurse instruct the patient to perform the exercises? 1) Turning 2) Breathing 3) Coughing 4) Leg exercises

The nurse is encouraging a reluctant postoperative patient to deep breathe and cough. Which explanation can the nurse provide that may encourage the patient to comply?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient on the medical-surgical floor. Which activity will the nurse encourage to prevent venous stasis and the formation of thrombus?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the preoperative holding area of an ambulatory surgery center. Which nursing action will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this area?

The nurse is monitoring a patient in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for postoperative fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which action will be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see $\bold{first}$ ?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite. Which outcome will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this patient at the end of the intraoperative phase?

The nurse is caring for a patient who will undergo a removal of a lung lobe. Which level of care will the patient require immediately post procedure?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient has developed profuse bleeding from the surgical site, and the surgeon has determined the need to return to the operative area. How will the nurse classify this procedure?

The nurse is providing preoperative education and reviews with the patient what it will be like to be in the surgical environment. Which points should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for the ambulatory surgery patient who will be having a cyst removed from the right arm. Which will be the $\bold{best}$ explanation for diet progression after surgery?

The nurse has completed a preoperative assessment for a patient going to surgery and gathers assessment data. Which will be the $\bold{most}$ important next step for the nurse to take?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient asks for a bedpan and states to the nurse, "I feel like I need to go to the bathroom, but I can't." Which nursing intervention will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate initially?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit who has undergone a left total knee arthroplasty. The anesthesia provider has indicated that the patient received a left femoral peripheral nerve block. Which assessment will be an expected finding for this patient?

The nurse is reviewing the surgical consent with the patient during preoperative education and finds the patient does not understand what procedure will be completed. What is the nurse's best $\bold{next}$ step?

The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a colonoscopy. The patient is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) during the procedure. How will the nurse interpret this information?

The nurse and the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) are caring for a group of postoperative patients who need turning, coughing, deep breathing, incentive spirometer, and leg exercises. Which task will the nurse assign to the NAP?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has had a minimally invasive carpel tunnel repair. The patient has a temperature of 97° F and is shivering. Which reason will the nurse $\bold{most}$ likely consider as the primary cause when planning care?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with an incision. Which actions will the nurse take to decrease wound infections? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a group of postoperative patients on the surgical unit. Which patient assessments indicate the nurse needs to follow up? (Select all that apply.)

Exam 50: Care of Surgical Patients

The nurse demonstrates postoperative exercises for a patient. In which order will the nurse instruct the patient to perform the exercises? 1) Turning 2) Breathing 3) Coughing 4) Leg exercises

The nurse is encouraging a reluctant postoperative patient to deep breathe and cough. Which explanation can the nurse provide that may encourage the patient to comply?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient on the medical-surgical floor. Which activity will the nurse encourage to prevent venous stasis and the formation of thrombus?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the preoperative holding area of an ambulatory surgery center. Which nursing action will be most\bold{most}most appropriate for this area?

The nurse is monitoring a patient in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) for postoperative fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Which action will be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first\bold{first}first ?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite. Which outcome will be most\bold{most}most appropriate for this patient at the end of the intraoperative phase?

The nurse is caring for a patient who will undergo a removal of a lung lobe. Which level of care will the patient require immediately post procedure?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient has developed profuse bleeding from the surgical site, and the surgeon has determined the need to return to the operative area. How will the nurse classify this procedure?

The nurse is providing preoperative education and reviews with the patient what it will be like to be in the surgical environment. Which points should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for the ambulatory surgery patient who will be having a cyst removed from the right arm. Which will be the best\bold{best}best explanation for diet progression after surgery?

The nurse has completed a preoperative assessment for a patient going to surgery and gathers assessment data. Which will be the most\bold{most}most important next step for the nurse to take?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient asks for a bedpan and states to the nurse, "I feel like I need to go to the bathroom, but I can't." Which nursing intervention will be most\bold{most}most appropriate initially?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit who has undergone a left total knee arthroplasty. The anesthesia provider has indicated that the patient received a left femoral peripheral nerve block. Which assessment will be an expected finding for this patient?

The nurse is reviewing the surgical consent with the patient during preoperative education and finds the patient does not understand what procedure will be completed. What is the nurse's best next\bold{next}next step?

The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a colonoscopy. The patient is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) during the procedure. How will the nurse interpret this information?

The nurse and the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) are caring for a group of postoperative patients who need turning, coughing, deep breathing, incentive spirometer, and leg exercises. Which task will the nurse assign to the NAP?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has had a minimally invasive carpel tunnel repair. The patient has a temperature of 97° F and is shivering. Which reason will the nurse most\bold{most}most likely consider as the primary cause when planning care?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with an incision. Which actions will the nurse take to decrease wound infections? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a group of postoperative patients on the surgical unit. Which patient assessments indicate the nurse needs to follow up? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a patient in the preoperative holding area of an ambulatory surgery center. Which nursing action will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this area?

The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see $\bold{first}$ ?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite. Which outcome will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate for this patient at the end of the intraoperative phase?

The nurse is providing preoperative teaching for the ambulatory surgery patient who will be having a cyst removed from the right arm. Which will be the $\bold{best}$ explanation for diet progression after surgery?

The nurse has completed a preoperative assessment for a patient going to surgery and gathers assessment data. Which will be the $\bold{most}$ important next step for the nurse to take?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient asks for a bedpan and states to the nurse, "I feel like I need to go to the bathroom, but I can't." Which nursing intervention will be $\bold{most}$ appropriate initially?

The nurse is reviewing the surgical consent with the patient during preoperative education and finds the patient does not understand what procedure will be completed. What is the nurse's best $\bold{next}$ step?

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who has had a minimally invasive carpel tunnel repair. The patient has a temperature of 97° F and is shivering. Which reason will the nurse $\bold{most}$ likely consider as the primary cause when planning care?