NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Final Exam|2026 Updated
Questions,Answers With Rationales
Nurse prep hub
THIS EXAM CONTAINS:
NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Final Exam
2026 Updated
Questions,Answers With Rationales
, NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Final Exam
Perioperative & Postoperative Care
1. The nurse is receiving a client from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
following abdominal surgery. What is the priority nursing action upon the client's arrival to the
surgical unit?
A. Assess the patency of the surgical drains.
B. Check the surgical incision for bleeding.
C. Assess the client's airway and respiratory status.
D. Compare vital signs to preoperative measurements.
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority in the immediate postoperative period is always airway, breathing,
and circulation (ABCs). Assessing the patency of the airway and the client's respiratory
status is the first action to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Other assessments,
while important, come after airway stability is
confirmed 2 .
2. A postoperative client asks the nurse why it is so important to deep-breathe and cough
after surgery. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that retained
pulmonary secretions can lead to which condition?
A. Hypoxemia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Atelectasis and pneumonia
D. Fluid imbalance
Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing help to expand alveoli and clear pulmonary
secretions. Retained secretions can block airways, leading to alveolar collapse
(atelectasis) and creating a environment for bacteria to grow, resulting in
pneumonia 2 .
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, 3. A client who had abdominal surgery 4 days ago has a sudden coughing episode and
reports feeling like "something gave way" in the incision. The nurse removes the dressing
and observes a loop of bowel protruding through the incision. Place the following
nursing interventions in the correct order of priority.
1. Contact the surgeon immediately.
2. Cover the protruding organs with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing.
3. Place the client in a low Fowler's position with knees bent.
4. Instruct the client to remain quiet and not to cough.
Answer: 3, 4, 2, 1
Rationale: This is a wound evisceration. The immediate priorities are to protect the client
and the organs. First, place the client in a low Fowler's position with knees bent to
decrease intra-abdominal pressure (3). Instruct the client to remain quiet and avoid
coughing to prevent further protrusion (4). Then, cover the organs with a sterile, saline-
soaked dressing to keep them moist and prevent trauma (2). Finally, have another nurse
contact the surgeon while you stay with the client (1)
2 9 .
4. The nurse is conducting preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for surgery in one
week. The client has a history of arthritis and takes acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I need to check with my doctor about when to stop the aspirin."
B. "Aspirin can cause my blood to clot abnormally after surgery."
C. "I should continue to take my aspirin as usual right up until the day of surgery."
D. "Aspirin can increase my risk for bleeding after the procedure."
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin has antiplatelet properties that increase the risk of bleeding during and
after surgery. It is typically discontinued at least 48 hours before a scheduled procedure.
The client should always consult with the healthcare provider, but continuing to take it
up until the day of surgery indicates a
misunderstanding of the teaching 2 9 .
5. A client with a perforated gastric ulcer is scheduled for emergency surgery. The client
is sedated and unable to sign the consent form. What is the most
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
https://www.stuvia.com/user/NursePrepHub 2/19
Questions,Answers With Rationales
Nurse prep hub
THIS EXAM CONTAINS:
NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Final Exam
2026 Updated
Questions,Answers With Rationales
, NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Final Exam
Perioperative & Postoperative Care
1. The nurse is receiving a client from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
following abdominal surgery. What is the priority nursing action upon the client's arrival to the
surgical unit?
A. Assess the patency of the surgical drains.
B. Check the surgical incision for bleeding.
C. Assess the client's airway and respiratory status.
D. Compare vital signs to preoperative measurements.
Answer: C
Rationale: The priority in the immediate postoperative period is always airway, breathing,
and circulation (ABCs). Assessing the patency of the airway and the client's respiratory
status is the first action to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Other assessments,
while important, come after airway stability is
confirmed 2 .
2. A postoperative client asks the nurse why it is so important to deep-breathe and cough
after surgery. The nurse's response is based on the understanding that retained
pulmonary secretions can lead to which condition?
A. Hypoxemia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Atelectasis and pneumonia
D. Fluid imbalance
Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing help to expand alveoli and clear pulmonary
secretions. Retained secretions can block airways, leading to alveolar collapse
(atelectasis) and creating a environment for bacteria to grow, resulting in
pneumonia 2 .
https://www.stuvia.com/user/NursePrepHub 1/19
, 3. A client who had abdominal surgery 4 days ago has a sudden coughing episode and
reports feeling like "something gave way" in the incision. The nurse removes the dressing
and observes a loop of bowel protruding through the incision. Place the following
nursing interventions in the correct order of priority.
1. Contact the surgeon immediately.
2. Cover the protruding organs with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing.
3. Place the client in a low Fowler's position with knees bent.
4. Instruct the client to remain quiet and not to cough.
Answer: 3, 4, 2, 1
Rationale: This is a wound evisceration. The immediate priorities are to protect the client
and the organs. First, place the client in a low Fowler's position with knees bent to
decrease intra-abdominal pressure (3). Instruct the client to remain quiet and avoid
coughing to prevent further protrusion (4). Then, cover the organs with a sterile, saline-
soaked dressing to keep them moist and prevent trauma (2). Finally, have another nurse
contact the surgeon while you stay with the client (1)
2 9 .
4. The nurse is conducting preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for surgery in one
week. The client has a history of arthritis and takes acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I need to check with my doctor about when to stop the aspirin."
B. "Aspirin can cause my blood to clot abnormally after surgery."
C. "I should continue to take my aspirin as usual right up until the day of surgery."
D. "Aspirin can increase my risk for bleeding after the procedure."
Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin has antiplatelet properties that increase the risk of bleeding during and
after surgery. It is typically discontinued at least 48 hours before a scheduled procedure.
The client should always consult with the healthcare provider, but continuing to take it
up until the day of surgery indicates a
misunderstanding of the teaching 2 9 .
5. A client with a perforated gastric ulcer is scheduled for emergency surgery. The client
is sedated and unable to sign the consent form. What is the most
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
https://www.stuvia.com/user/NursePrepHub 2/19
