NR 226 Adult Health I Exam 9 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for surgery.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the procedure for informed consent?
A. I will sign the consent form after the nurse explains the risks of the surgery.
B. I can withdraw my consent at any time before the procedure starts.
C. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and its risks to me.
D. My spouse can sign the consent form if I am feeling too anxious.
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing the explanation of the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse witnesses the signature.
2. Which of the following is a primary priority for a nurse when a client is
admitted to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)?
A. Maintaining a patent airway.
B. Monitoring the client’s urine output.
C. Assessing the surgical dressing for drainage.
D. Administering prescribed pain medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are the priority. Airway patency is
the most critical immediate assessment post-anesthesia.
,3. A client is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes the client has not used the incentive spirometer. Which complication is
the nurse trying to prevent?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Atelectasis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Paralytic ileus
Answer: B
Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps expand the lungs and prevent alveolar collapse
(atelectasis), which can lead to pneumonia.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has a history
of smoking. The nurse should explain that smoking increases the risk for which
postoperative complication?
A. Increased risk of wound infection
B. Rapid metabolism of anesthesia
C. Delayed wound healing
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction and decreases hemoglobin levels, leading to
reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, which delays wound healing.
, 5. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is
responsible for coordinating activities in the room and maintaining the sterile
field environment from the outside?
A. Scrub Nurse
B. Circulating Nurse
C. Surgical Technologist
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse is an RN who coordinates the care of the patient in the OR
and remains in the unsterile field to provide needed items.
6. A nurse is assessing a postoperative client and finds the surgical wound has
eviscerated. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Cover the wound with sterile towels moistened with normal saline.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
C. Call the surgeon immediately.
D. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity.
Answer: A
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the protruding
organs with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep them moist.
7. A patient is diagnosed with Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
1. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for surgery.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the procedure for informed consent?
A. I will sign the consent form after the nurse explains the risks of the surgery.
B. I can withdraw my consent at any time before the procedure starts.
C. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and its risks to me.
D. My spouse can sign the consent form if I am feeling too anxious.
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing the explanation of the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse witnesses the signature.
2. Which of the following is a primary priority for a nurse when a client is
admitted to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)?
A. Maintaining a patent airway.
B. Monitoring the client’s urine output.
C. Assessing the surgical dressing for drainage.
D. Administering prescribed pain medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) are the priority. Airway patency is
the most critical immediate assessment post-anesthesia.
,3. A client is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes the client has not used the incentive spirometer. Which complication is
the nurse trying to prevent?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Atelectasis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Paralytic ileus
Answer: B
Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps expand the lungs and prevent alveolar collapse
(atelectasis), which can lead to pneumonia.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has a history
of smoking. The nurse should explain that smoking increases the risk for which
postoperative complication?
A. Increased risk of wound infection
B. Rapid metabolism of anesthesia
C. Delayed wound healing
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction and decreases hemoglobin levels, leading to
reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, which delays wound healing.
, 5. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is
responsible for coordinating activities in the room and maintaining the sterile
field environment from the outside?
A. Scrub Nurse
B. Circulating Nurse
C. Surgical Technologist
D. Anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The circulating nurse is an RN who coordinates the care of the patient in the OR
and remains in the unsterile field to provide needed items.
6. A nurse is assessing a postoperative client and finds the surgical wound has
eviscerated. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Cover the wound with sterile towels moistened with normal saline.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
C. Call the surgeon immediately.
D. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity.
Answer: A
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the protruding
organs with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep them moist.
7. A patient is diagnosed with Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
