NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 9 Practice 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. Which phase of the perioperative period begins when the patient is
transferred to the operating room bed?
A. Preoperative phase
B. Postoperative phase
C. Intraoperative phase
D. Preadmission phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is transferred onto the OR
table and ends when they are admitted to the PACU.
2. A nurse is witnessing a patient sign a surgical consent form. What is the
nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
C. Ensuring the patient is signing voluntarily and is competent
D. Providing the medical diagnosis for the surgery
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature, ensuring the patient is competent
and the signature is authentic. Explaining risks/benefits is the surgeon’s responsibility.
,3. Which assessment finding is the most concerning for a patient in the
immediate postoperative period?
A. Pain level of 6 out of 10
B. Nausea and one episode of vomiting
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Urinary output of 40 mL in the last hour
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing (ABC) are the priority. Oxygen saturation of 88%
indicates potential respiratory compromise.
4. What is the primary purpose of having a patient remain NPO before surgery?
A. To reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
B. To prevent postoperative constipation
C. To ensure the patient loses weight before the procedure
D. To prevent electrolyte imbalances
Answer: A
Rationale: NPO (nothing by mouth) status reduces gastric contents, thereby decreasing
the risk of vomiting and aspiration during induction of anesthesia.
5. A patient reports ‘something gave way’ in their abdominal incision while
coughing. The nurse notes a loop of bowel protruding. What is the first action?
A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
B. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity
C. Call the surgeon immediately
D. Apply a sterile dressing moistened with sterile normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: This is evisceration. The nurse should cover the protruding organ with sterile,
saline-soaked gauze to keep it moist and prevent infection.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile
field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Scrub nurse
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon’s assistant
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse (or technician) maintains the sterile field and handles
instruments within the sterile zone.
7. What is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Tachycardia
B. High fever of 104 F
C. Muscle rigidity
D. Cyanosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia, along with an
increased end-tidal CO2 level. Fever is a late sign.
8. To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) postoperatively, the nurse should
encourage which intervention?
A. Placing pillows under the patient’s knees
B. Early and frequent ambulation
C. Maintaining strict bed rest for 48 hours
D. Applying heat packs to the lower extremities
Answer: B
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective way to promote venous return and
prevent DVT formation.
College
1. Which phase of the perioperative period begins when the patient is
transferred to the operating room bed?
A. Preoperative phase
B. Postoperative phase
C. Intraoperative phase
D. Preadmission phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The intraoperative phase begins when the patient is transferred onto the OR
table and ends when they are admitted to the PACU.
2. A nurse is witnessing a patient sign a surgical consent form. What is the
nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
C. Ensuring the patient is signing voluntarily and is competent
D. Providing the medical diagnosis for the surgery
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature, ensuring the patient is competent
and the signature is authentic. Explaining risks/benefits is the surgeon’s responsibility.
,3. Which assessment finding is the most concerning for a patient in the
immediate postoperative period?
A. Pain level of 6 out of 10
B. Nausea and one episode of vomiting
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Urinary output of 40 mL in the last hour
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and breathing (ABC) are the priority. Oxygen saturation of 88%
indicates potential respiratory compromise.
4. What is the primary purpose of having a patient remain NPO before surgery?
A. To reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
B. To prevent postoperative constipation
C. To ensure the patient loses weight before the procedure
D. To prevent electrolyte imbalances
Answer: A
Rationale: NPO (nothing by mouth) status reduces gastric contents, thereby decreasing
the risk of vomiting and aspiration during induction of anesthesia.
5. A patient reports ‘something gave way’ in their abdominal incision while
coughing. The nurse notes a loop of bowel protruding. What is the first action?
A. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
B. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity
C. Call the surgeon immediately
D. Apply a sterile dressing moistened with sterile normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: This is evisceration. The nurse should cover the protruding organ with sterile,
saline-soaked gauze to keep it moist and prevent infection.
, 6. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile
field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Scrub nurse
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgeon’s assistant
Answer: B
Rationale: The scrub nurse (or technician) maintains the sterile field and handles
instruments within the sterile zone.
7. What is the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Tachycardia
B. High fever of 104 F
C. Muscle rigidity
D. Cyanosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia, along with an
increased end-tidal CO2 level. Fever is a late sign.
8. To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) postoperatively, the nurse should
encourage which intervention?
A. Placing pillows under the patient’s knees
B. Early and frequent ambulation
C. Maintaining strict bed rest for 48 hours
D. Applying heat packs to the lower extremities
Answer: B
Rationale: Early ambulation is the most effective way to promote venous return and
prevent DVT formation.
