Galen NUR 265 Exam 1–3 &
Final - Med-Surg (2026)
Actual Questions & Verified
Answers (PDF), Exams of
Nursing
EXAM 1: Perioperative, Wound Healing, Fluid/Electrolytes (Q1–50)
1. A patient scheduled for elective surgery reports taking
rivaroxaban (Xarelto). What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication as scheduled
B. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
C. Hold the medication for 5 days pre-op
D. Give vitamin K to reverse effects
Answer: B – Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
Rationale: Direct oral anticoagulants increase bleeding risk;
decision to hold must be made by provider.
2. Which medication should be continued through surgery to
prevent withdrawal or rebound?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metoprolol
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Answer: B – Metoprolol
,Rationale: Beta-blockers should be continued to prevent rebound
tachycardia and hypertension.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes is NPO before surgery. The nurse
should:
A. Hold all insulin
B. Give full dose of long-acting insulin
C. Notify provider for insulin adjustment and monitor glucose
D. Give oral hypoglycemics with a sip of water
Answer: C – Notify provider for insulin adjustment and monitor
glucose
Rationale: NPO patients require insulin adjustments to prevent
hypo/hyperglycemia.
4. A patient asks why they need to remove contact lenses before
surgery. The nurse explains:
A. “Contact lenses can be lost in the OR.”
B. “Contact lenses can cause corneal abrasions during anesthesia.”
C. “They interfere with monitoring equipment.”
D. “They are a hygiene issue.”
Answer: B – “Contact lenses can cause corneal abrasions during
anesthesia.”
Rationale: Reduced tearing and eye closure during anesthesia
increase risk of corneal injury.
5. Which herbal supplement can cause hypotension during
anesthesia?
A. Echinacea
B. Ginkgo biloba
C. St. John’s wort
,D. Valerian root
Answer: C – St. John’s wort
Rationale: St. John’s wort interacts with anesthetic agents and can
cause hypotension.
6. A patient receives glycopyrrolate as a preoperative medication.
The nurse knows this is given to:
A. Decrease anxiety
B. Dry respiratory secretions
C. Induce amnesia
D. Reverse neuromuscular blockade
Answer: B – Dry respiratory secretions
Rationale: Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic that reduces
secretions during intubation.
7. Which laboratory finding would most likely cause postponement
of elective surgery?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
C. Platelets 30,000/µL
D. INR 1.2
Answer: C – Platelets 30,000/µL
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk;
elective surgery may be delayed.
8. A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia is
scheduled for surgery. Which anesthetic agent should be avoided?
A. Propofol
B. Ketamine
C. Sevoflurane
, D. Etomidate
Answer: C – Sevoflurane
Rationale: Volatile anesthetics trigger MH; propofol is safe.
9. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which statement
requires immediate intervention?
A. “I took my blood pressure pill this morning.”
B. “I ate a bacon sandwich 4 hours ago.”
C. “I am allergic to penicillin.”
D. “My wedding ring won’t come off.”
Answer: B – “I ate a bacon sandwich 4 hours ago.”
*Rationale: Solid food requires 6-8 hours fasting; bacon sandwich is
solid food.*
10. A patient asks why they need to wear sequential compression
devices (SCDs) during surgery. The nurse explains:
A. “They keep your legs warm.”
B. “They prevent blood clots by improving circulation.”
C. “They monitor your blood pressure.”
D. “They help you wake up faster.”
Answer: B – “They prevent blood clots by improving circulation.”
Rationale: SCDs provide mechanical prophylaxis against DVT.
11. A patient receives midazolam (Versed) preoperatively. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperthermia
D. Seizures
Answer: B – Respiratory depression
Final - Med-Surg (2026)
Actual Questions & Verified
Answers (PDF), Exams of
Nursing
EXAM 1: Perioperative, Wound Healing, Fluid/Electrolytes (Q1–50)
1. A patient scheduled for elective surgery reports taking
rivaroxaban (Xarelto). What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication as scheduled
B. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
C. Hold the medication for 5 days pre-op
D. Give vitamin K to reverse effects
Answer: B – Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist
Rationale: Direct oral anticoagulants increase bleeding risk;
decision to hold must be made by provider.
2. Which medication should be continued through surgery to
prevent withdrawal or rebound?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metoprolol
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Answer: B – Metoprolol
,Rationale: Beta-blockers should be continued to prevent rebound
tachycardia and hypertension.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes is NPO before surgery. The nurse
should:
A. Hold all insulin
B. Give full dose of long-acting insulin
C. Notify provider for insulin adjustment and monitor glucose
D. Give oral hypoglycemics with a sip of water
Answer: C – Notify provider for insulin adjustment and monitor
glucose
Rationale: NPO patients require insulin adjustments to prevent
hypo/hyperglycemia.
4. A patient asks why they need to remove contact lenses before
surgery. The nurse explains:
A. “Contact lenses can be lost in the OR.”
B. “Contact lenses can cause corneal abrasions during anesthesia.”
C. “They interfere with monitoring equipment.”
D. “They are a hygiene issue.”
Answer: B – “Contact lenses can cause corneal abrasions during
anesthesia.”
Rationale: Reduced tearing and eye closure during anesthesia
increase risk of corneal injury.
5. Which herbal supplement can cause hypotension during
anesthesia?
A. Echinacea
B. Ginkgo biloba
C. St. John’s wort
,D. Valerian root
Answer: C – St. John’s wort
Rationale: St. John’s wort interacts with anesthetic agents and can
cause hypotension.
6. A patient receives glycopyrrolate as a preoperative medication.
The nurse knows this is given to:
A. Decrease anxiety
B. Dry respiratory secretions
C. Induce amnesia
D. Reverse neuromuscular blockade
Answer: B – Dry respiratory secretions
Rationale: Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic that reduces
secretions during intubation.
7. Which laboratory finding would most likely cause postponement
of elective surgery?
A. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
B. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
C. Platelets 30,000/µL
D. INR 1.2
Answer: C – Platelets 30,000/µL
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk;
elective surgery may be delayed.
8. A patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia is
scheduled for surgery. Which anesthetic agent should be avoided?
A. Propofol
B. Ketamine
C. Sevoflurane
, D. Etomidate
Answer: C – Sevoflurane
Rationale: Volatile anesthetics trigger MH; propofol is safe.
9. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which statement
requires immediate intervention?
A. “I took my blood pressure pill this morning.”
B. “I ate a bacon sandwich 4 hours ago.”
C. “I am allergic to penicillin.”
D. “My wedding ring won’t come off.”
Answer: B – “I ate a bacon sandwich 4 hours ago.”
*Rationale: Solid food requires 6-8 hours fasting; bacon sandwich is
solid food.*
10. A patient asks why they need to wear sequential compression
devices (SCDs) during surgery. The nurse explains:
A. “They keep your legs warm.”
B. “They prevent blood clots by improving circulation.”
C. “They monitor your blood pressure.”
D. “They help you wake up faster.”
Answer: B – “They prevent blood clots by improving circulation.”
Rationale: SCDs provide mechanical prophylaxis against DVT.
11. A patient receives midazolam (Versed) preoperatively. The nurse
should monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperthermia
D. Seizures
Answer: B – Respiratory depression
