Perioperative Care Exam 1 Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary goal of pain management postoperatively?
✔✔To promote comfort and recovery
Why should oxygen saturation be closely monitored after surgery?
✔✔Because anaesthesia can depress respiratory function
What does PACU stand for?
✔✔Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit
Why is nausea common after surgery?
✔✔Due to anaesthetic effects on the gastrointestinal system
What is the purpose of postoperative vital sign monitoring?
✔✔To detect complications early
Why is coughing and deep breathing encouraged after surgery?
✔✔To prevent atelectasis
What is atelectasis?
1
,✔✔Collapse of small airways in the lungs
Why is hydration important after surgery?
✔✔To support circulation and healing
What does sterile technique aim to prevent?
✔✔Infection
What does NPO mean in perioperative care?
✔✔Nothing by mouth to reduce the risk of aspiration
Why is allergy assessment critical before anaesthesia?
✔✔To prevent life-threatening allergic reactions during surgery
What is the role of the circulating nurse?
✔✔To manage patient safety, documentation, and the non-sterile environment
Why is the surgical site marked preoperatively?
✔✔To prevent wrong-site surgery
What is the purpose of a surgical time-out?
✔✔To pause and confirm patient identity, procedure, and site
2
, Why must jewellery be removed before surgery?
✔✔To prevent burns, pressure injuries, and infection
What is the goal of surgical hand antisepsis?
✔✔To reduce microorganisms on the hands
Why are prophylactic antibiotics given before incision?
✔✔To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
What is malignant hyperthermia?
✔✔A life-threatening reaction to certain anaesthetic agents
Which sign is an early indicator of airway obstruction in PACU?
✔✔Noisy or laboured breathing
Why is airway assessment the priority after surgery?
✔✔Because anaesthesia can suppress breathing
What is the purpose of a surgical count?
✔✔To ensure no instruments or sponges are left inside the patient
3
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary goal of pain management postoperatively?
✔✔To promote comfort and recovery
Why should oxygen saturation be closely monitored after surgery?
✔✔Because anaesthesia can depress respiratory function
What does PACU stand for?
✔✔Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit
Why is nausea common after surgery?
✔✔Due to anaesthetic effects on the gastrointestinal system
What is the purpose of postoperative vital sign monitoring?
✔✔To detect complications early
Why is coughing and deep breathing encouraged after surgery?
✔✔To prevent atelectasis
What is atelectasis?
1
,✔✔Collapse of small airways in the lungs
Why is hydration important after surgery?
✔✔To support circulation and healing
What does sterile technique aim to prevent?
✔✔Infection
What does NPO mean in perioperative care?
✔✔Nothing by mouth to reduce the risk of aspiration
Why is allergy assessment critical before anaesthesia?
✔✔To prevent life-threatening allergic reactions during surgery
What is the role of the circulating nurse?
✔✔To manage patient safety, documentation, and the non-sterile environment
Why is the surgical site marked preoperatively?
✔✔To prevent wrong-site surgery
What is the purpose of a surgical time-out?
✔✔To pause and confirm patient identity, procedure, and site
2
, Why must jewellery be removed before surgery?
✔✔To prevent burns, pressure injuries, and infection
What is the goal of surgical hand antisepsis?
✔✔To reduce microorganisms on the hands
Why are prophylactic antibiotics given before incision?
✔✔To reduce the risk of surgical site infection
What is malignant hyperthermia?
✔✔A life-threatening reaction to certain anaesthetic agents
Which sign is an early indicator of airway obstruction in PACU?
✔✔Noisy or laboured breathing
Why is airway assessment the priority after surgery?
✔✔Because anaesthesia can suppress breathing
What is the purpose of a surgical count?
✔✔To ensure no instruments or sponges are left inside the patient
3
