Medical-Surgical Nursing
Exam Questions and
Answers: Pain Management
and Preoperative Care,
Exams of Nursing Assured
A+ Certified Pass
A patient is admitted to the ED complaining of severe abdominal pain, stating that
he has been vomiting coffee-ground like emesis. The patient is diagnosed with a
perforated gastric ulcer and is informed that he needs surgery. When can the
patient most likely anticipate that the surgery will be scheduled?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within the next week
C) Without delay because the bleed is emergent
D) As soon as all the days elective surgeries have been completed - ANSWERS-C
(Emergency surgeries are unplanned and occur with little time for preparation for
the patient or the perioperative team. An active bleed is considered an
emergency, and the patient requires immediate attention because the disorder
may be life threatening. The surgery would not likely be deferred until after
elective surgeries have been completed.)
,The nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a patient going to surgery.
The patient informs the nurse that he drinks approximately two bottles of wine
each day and has for the last several years. What postoperative difficulties can the
nurse anticipate for this patient?
A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome immediately following surgery
B) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 2 to 4 days after his last alcohol drink
C) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon administration of general anesthesia
D) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 1 week after his last alcohol drink - ANSWERS-B
(Alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be anticipated between 48 and 96 hours after
alcohol withdrawal and is associated with a significant mortality rate when it
occurs postoperatively.)
In anticipation of a patients scheduled surgery, the nurse is teaching her to
perform deep breathing and coughing to use postoperatively. What action should
the nurse teach the patient?
A) The patient should take three deep breaths and cough hard three times, at
least every 15 minutes for the immediately postoperative period.
B) The patient should take three deep breaths and exhale forcefully and then take
a quick short breath and cough from deep in the lungs.
C) The patient should take a deep breath in through the mouth and exhale
through the mouth, take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
D) The patient should rapidly inhale, hold for 30 seconds or as long as possible,
and exhale slowly. - ANSWERS-C
4. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery prior to her hysterectomy without
oophorectomy. The nurse is witnessing the patients signature on a consent form.
Which comment by the patient would best indicate informed consent?
, A) I know Ill be fine because the physician said he has done this procedure
hundreds of times.
B) I know Ill have pain after the surgery but theyll do their best to keep it to a
minimum.
C) The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of
bleeding.
D) Because the physician isnt taking my ovaries, Ill still be able to have children. -
ANSWERS-C
(The surgeon must inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks,
complications, disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what
to expect in the early and late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the
information provided, and, if the patient requests additional information, the
nurse notifies the physician. In the correct response, the patient is able to tell the
nurse what will occur during the procedure and the associated risks. This indicates
the patient has a sufficient understanding of the procedure to provide informed
consent. Clarification of information given may be necessary, but no additional
information should be given. )
The nurse is planning patient teaching for a patient who is scheduled for an open
hemicolectomy. The nurse intends to address the topics of incision splinting and
leg exercises during this teaching session. When is the best time for the nurse to
provide teaching?
A) Upon the patients admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
B) When the patient returns from the PACU
C) During the intraoperative period
D) As soon as possible before the surgical procedure - ANSWERS-D
Exam Questions and
Answers: Pain Management
and Preoperative Care,
Exams of Nursing Assured
A+ Certified Pass
A patient is admitted to the ED complaining of severe abdominal pain, stating that
he has been vomiting coffee-ground like emesis. The patient is diagnosed with a
perforated gastric ulcer and is informed that he needs surgery. When can the
patient most likely anticipate that the surgery will be scheduled?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within the next week
C) Without delay because the bleed is emergent
D) As soon as all the days elective surgeries have been completed - ANSWERS-C
(Emergency surgeries are unplanned and occur with little time for preparation for
the patient or the perioperative team. An active bleed is considered an
emergency, and the patient requires immediate attention because the disorder
may be life threatening. The surgery would not likely be deferred until after
elective surgeries have been completed.)
,The nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a patient going to surgery.
The patient informs the nurse that he drinks approximately two bottles of wine
each day and has for the last several years. What postoperative difficulties can the
nurse anticipate for this patient?
A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome immediately following surgery
B) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 2 to 4 days after his last alcohol drink
C) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon administration of general anesthesia
D) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 1 week after his last alcohol drink - ANSWERS-B
(Alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be anticipated between 48 and 96 hours after
alcohol withdrawal and is associated with a significant mortality rate when it
occurs postoperatively.)
In anticipation of a patients scheduled surgery, the nurse is teaching her to
perform deep breathing and coughing to use postoperatively. What action should
the nurse teach the patient?
A) The patient should take three deep breaths and cough hard three times, at
least every 15 minutes for the immediately postoperative period.
B) The patient should take three deep breaths and exhale forcefully and then take
a quick short breath and cough from deep in the lungs.
C) The patient should take a deep breath in through the mouth and exhale
through the mouth, take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
D) The patient should rapidly inhale, hold for 30 seconds or as long as possible,
and exhale slowly. - ANSWERS-C
4. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery prior to her hysterectomy without
oophorectomy. The nurse is witnessing the patients signature on a consent form.
Which comment by the patient would best indicate informed consent?
, A) I know Ill be fine because the physician said he has done this procedure
hundreds of times.
B) I know Ill have pain after the surgery but theyll do their best to keep it to a
minimum.
C) The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of
bleeding.
D) Because the physician isnt taking my ovaries, Ill still be able to have children. -
ANSWERS-C
(The surgeon must inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks,
complications, disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what
to expect in the early and late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the
information provided, and, if the patient requests additional information, the
nurse notifies the physician. In the correct response, the patient is able to tell the
nurse what will occur during the procedure and the associated risks. This indicates
the patient has a sufficient understanding of the procedure to provide informed
consent. Clarification of information given may be necessary, but no additional
information should be given. )
The nurse is planning patient teaching for a patient who is scheduled for an open
hemicolectomy. The nurse intends to address the topics of incision splinting and
leg exercises during this teaching session. When is the best time for the nurse to
provide teaching?
A) Upon the patients admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
B) When the patient returns from the PACU
C) During the intraoperative period
D) As soon as possible before the surgical procedure - ANSWERS-D
