NSG 123 Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 1 Lecture
Questions 2026 | Latest Update 2026 | 100% Correct
Answers | Actual Exam Prep
1. Because many patients with diabetes have compromised vascular systems,
their risk of ________ is higher than in patients who are not diabetic.
surgical site infection
a physiological response to anesthesia
comorbid disease
regression
2. Which type of surgery is performed within 24-48 hours of diagnosis of need
for surgical intervention?
Emergent
Urgent
Elective
Exploratory
3. Which patient is at greatest risk for surgical and anesthetic complications?
a 42-year-old patient scheduled for breast biopsy
an 18-year-old patient scheduled for an appendectomy
A 3-year-old patient scheduled for hernia repair
an 80-year-old patient scheduled for exploratory laparotomy
4. If a patient exhibits signs of malignant hyperthermia during surgery, what
immediate action should the nursing team take?
Monitor vital signs without intervention.
, Notify the surgeon and continue the procedure.
Administer dantrolene and initiate cooling measures.
Increase the patient's anesthesia dosage.
5. A patient has just emerged from anesthesia and is being evaluated using the
Aldrete Score. If the patient scores low on the activity and respiration criteria,
what implications does this have for their transfer to PACU?
The patient may not be ready for transfer to PACU due to
inadequate recovery.
The patient needs to be monitored for longer than usual before
transfer.
The patient is fully recovered and can be transferred immediately.
The patient requires additional pain management before transfer.
6. What information must be included in an informed consent document?
A description of potential risks
Statement that participation is fully voluntary
An explanation regarding the extent of use of the subject's
information
All of the above
7. What is the primary focus of phase III in postanesthesia care?
Preparation for discharge
Monitoring vital signs
Conducting preoperative assessments
Administering anesthesia
,8. If a surgical team fails to maintain aseptic technique, what potential outcome
could arise during the procedure?
Faster recovery times
Improved patient satisfaction
Reduced need for postoperative care
Increased risk of infection
9. Describe the significance of recognizing early signs of malignant
hyperthermia in patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Recognizing early signs of malignant hyperthermia, such as
tachycardia, is crucial for timely intervention and patient safety.
Malignant hyperthermia is not a concern with general anesthesia.
Early signs are not significant and can be ignored.
Only postoperative signs are important to monitor.
10. While conducting a preoperative history and assessment, a nurse asks about
the client's medication history. What medication carries the HIGHEST risk for
a postoperative fluid or electrolyte imbalances?
Diuretics
Antidepressants
Opioid analgesics
Anticholinergic agents
11. In which phase of the perioperative process do scrub nurses and circulating
nurses provide care to patients?
Recovery phase
, Postoperative phase
Intraoperative phase
Preoperative phase
12. If a patient expresses anxiety about their upcoming surgery, how should a
nurse apply patient advocacy principles in this situation?
By referring the patient to a surgeon for emotional support.
By only providing information about the surgery without addressing
emotional concerns.
By ignoring the patient's anxiety and focusing on the surgical
procedure.
By addressing the patient's concerns and providing emotional
support while ensuring their rights and dignity are respected.
13. If a surgical procedure is delayed, how might this impact the roles of scrub
nurses and circulating nurses during the intraoperative phase?
It would allow them to focus solely on documentation and
paperwork.
It would have no impact on their roles as they only prepare before
surgery.
It would mean they can leave the operating room until the procedure
starts.
It may require them to adapt their responsibilities and maintain
patient safety while managing the delay.
14. What is a key clinical manifestation of malignant hyperthermia?
Decreased heart rate
Questions 2026 | Latest Update 2026 | 100% Correct
Answers | Actual Exam Prep
1. Because many patients with diabetes have compromised vascular systems,
their risk of ________ is higher than in patients who are not diabetic.
surgical site infection
a physiological response to anesthesia
comorbid disease
regression
2. Which type of surgery is performed within 24-48 hours of diagnosis of need
for surgical intervention?
Emergent
Urgent
Elective
Exploratory
3. Which patient is at greatest risk for surgical and anesthetic complications?
a 42-year-old patient scheduled for breast biopsy
an 18-year-old patient scheduled for an appendectomy
A 3-year-old patient scheduled for hernia repair
an 80-year-old patient scheduled for exploratory laparotomy
4. If a patient exhibits signs of malignant hyperthermia during surgery, what
immediate action should the nursing team take?
Monitor vital signs without intervention.
, Notify the surgeon and continue the procedure.
Administer dantrolene and initiate cooling measures.
Increase the patient's anesthesia dosage.
5. A patient has just emerged from anesthesia and is being evaluated using the
Aldrete Score. If the patient scores low on the activity and respiration criteria,
what implications does this have for their transfer to PACU?
The patient may not be ready for transfer to PACU due to
inadequate recovery.
The patient needs to be monitored for longer than usual before
transfer.
The patient is fully recovered and can be transferred immediately.
The patient requires additional pain management before transfer.
6. What information must be included in an informed consent document?
A description of potential risks
Statement that participation is fully voluntary
An explanation regarding the extent of use of the subject's
information
All of the above
7. What is the primary focus of phase III in postanesthesia care?
Preparation for discharge
Monitoring vital signs
Conducting preoperative assessments
Administering anesthesia
,8. If a surgical team fails to maintain aseptic technique, what potential outcome
could arise during the procedure?
Faster recovery times
Improved patient satisfaction
Reduced need for postoperative care
Increased risk of infection
9. Describe the significance of recognizing early signs of malignant
hyperthermia in patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Recognizing early signs of malignant hyperthermia, such as
tachycardia, is crucial for timely intervention and patient safety.
Malignant hyperthermia is not a concern with general anesthesia.
Early signs are not significant and can be ignored.
Only postoperative signs are important to monitor.
10. While conducting a preoperative history and assessment, a nurse asks about
the client's medication history. What medication carries the HIGHEST risk for
a postoperative fluid or electrolyte imbalances?
Diuretics
Antidepressants
Opioid analgesics
Anticholinergic agents
11. In which phase of the perioperative process do scrub nurses and circulating
nurses provide care to patients?
Recovery phase
, Postoperative phase
Intraoperative phase
Preoperative phase
12. If a patient expresses anxiety about their upcoming surgery, how should a
nurse apply patient advocacy principles in this situation?
By referring the patient to a surgeon for emotional support.
By only providing information about the surgery without addressing
emotional concerns.
By ignoring the patient's anxiety and focusing on the surgical
procedure.
By addressing the patient's concerns and providing emotional
support while ensuring their rights and dignity are respected.
13. If a surgical procedure is delayed, how might this impact the roles of scrub
nurses and circulating nurses during the intraoperative phase?
It would allow them to focus solely on documentation and
paperwork.
It would have no impact on their roles as they only prepare before
surgery.
It would mean they can leave the operating room until the procedure
starts.
It may require them to adapt their responsibilities and maintain
patient safety while managing the delay.
14. What is a key clinical manifestation of malignant hyperthermia?
Decreased heart rate
