Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Week 5 Quiz Introduction to
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. When preparing a patient for surgery, who is primarily responsible for
obtaining the informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The anesthesiologist
C. The surgeon
D. The pre-operative nurse
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives to obtain informed consent. The nurse witnesses the signature.
2. A patient is administered Atropine pre-operatively. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
A. To decrease oral and respiratory secretions
B. To prevent post-operative pain
C. To reduce anxiety
D. To induce muscle relaxation
Answer: A
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic used to decrease secretions and prevent
aspiration during surgery.
,3. Which of the following is a late sign of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypercapnia
D. Extremely high body temperature
Answer: D
Rationale: While muscle rigidity and tachycardia are early signs, an extremely high
temperature is a late and life-threatening sign of malignant hyperthermia.
4. A post-operative patient is encouraged to use an incentive spirometer to
prevent which complication?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and alveolar expansion to
prevent atelectasis (collapse of alveoli).
5. A nurse observes a patient’s abdominal wound has separated and internal
organs are protruding. What is the priority action?
A. Cover the area with sterile dressings moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Push the organs back into the abdomen
C. Call the surgeon immediately
D. Apply a tight abdominal binder
Answer: A
Rationale: This is an evisceration. The nurse must cover the protruding organs with
sterile, saline-moistened dressings to prevent drying and infection before notifying the
surgeon.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for coordinating the
operating room activities and is not required to be sterile?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Surgeon
C. Circulating nurse
D. Surgical technologist
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse stays in the non-sterile field and manages the overall
environment and coordination of the OR.
7. What is the most effective way to prevent post-operative deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Maintaining bed rest
B. Applying heat to the lower extremities
C. Restricting fluid intake
D. Early ambulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective and simplest way to promote circulation
and prevent venous stasis/DVT.
8. A patient in the PACU is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths per minute after receiving morphine. What should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Epinephrine
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone is the reversal agent for opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. When preparing a patient for surgery, who is primarily responsible for
obtaining the informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The anesthesiologist
C. The surgeon
D. The pre-operative nurse
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives to obtain informed consent. The nurse witnesses the signature.
2. A patient is administered Atropine pre-operatively. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
A. To decrease oral and respiratory secretions
B. To prevent post-operative pain
C. To reduce anxiety
D. To induce muscle relaxation
Answer: A
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic used to decrease secretions and prevent
aspiration during surgery.
,3. Which of the following is a late sign of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypercapnia
D. Extremely high body temperature
Answer: D
Rationale: While muscle rigidity and tachycardia are early signs, an extremely high
temperature is a late and life-threatening sign of malignant hyperthermia.
4. A post-operative patient is encouraged to use an incentive spirometer to
prevent which complication?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and alveolar expansion to
prevent atelectasis (collapse of alveoli).
5. A nurse observes a patient’s abdominal wound has separated and internal
organs are protruding. What is the priority action?
A. Cover the area with sterile dressings moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Push the organs back into the abdomen
C. Call the surgeon immediately
D. Apply a tight abdominal binder
Answer: A
Rationale: This is an evisceration. The nurse must cover the protruding organs with
sterile, saline-moistened dressings to prevent drying and infection before notifying the
surgeon.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for coordinating the
operating room activities and is not required to be sterile?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Surgeon
C. Circulating nurse
D. Surgical technologist
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse stays in the non-sterile field and manages the overall
environment and coordination of the OR.
7. What is the most effective way to prevent post-operative deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Maintaining bed rest
B. Applying heat to the lower extremities
C. Restricting fluid intake
D. Early ambulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective and simplest way to promote circulation
and prevent venous stasis/DVT.
8. A patient in the PACU is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths per minute after receiving morphine. What should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Epinephrine
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Naloxone is the reversal agent for opioid-induced respiratory depression.
