007
ADULT HEALTH EXAM 1 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION AND
RATIONALES 2026\2027 UPDATED
GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who has bradycardia following a surgical procedure using
spinal anesthesia. The nurse should plan to administer which of the following
medications to the client?
a. amiodarone
b. propranolol
c. methyldopa
d. epinephrine ANSWER: d. epinerphrine
(epinephrine is a vasopressor which would increase the client's heart rate and prevent
cardiac arrest
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative and has a closed-wound
drainage system in place. which of the following interventions should the nurse plan
include?
a. check the patency of the drain every 12 hours
b. clamp the drain while the client is ambulating
c. cleanse the drain plug with alcohol after emptying
d. secure the drain to the client's bed sheet ANSWER: c. cleanse the drain plug with
alcohol after emptying
(after emptying the drain, the nurse should use one hand to compress the top and
bottom of the device together and the other to cleanse the plug before placing it. Nurse
should check amount, color, and type of drainage at least every 8 hours)
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is scheduled for an elective
surgery. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the provider to
discontinue prior to surgery to minimize the risk of complications?
,007
a. cefazolin
b. digoxin
c. ondansetron
d. warfarin ANSWER: d. warfarin
( the nurse should anticipate that they will discontinue warfarin because it increases the
risk of bleeding during and following surgery. digoxin does not increase client's risk
for surgical complications)
a surgical nurse enters a surgical suite to ensure surgical asepsis is maintained. which
of the following requires intervention by the nurse?
a. the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
b. the circulating nurse opens dressing packages before applying sterile gloves
c. the surgeon has her hands folded 2 inches above her waist
d. the holding area nurse is performing client educaiton ANSWER: a. the scrub
technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
(finger and wrist jewelry are likely contaminated with microorganisms and bacteria)
A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will have an increase in yellow-colored drainage from my incision for 2 weeks"
b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery"
c. "I should avoid taking OTC pain medication if my pain is not severe
d. "I will remain on bed rest until my follow-up appointment with my doctor
ANSWER: b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery (which promotes wound healing)
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative and is asking multiple questions
about the risks of the procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client
,007
b. Ask the surgeon to speak to the client for verification
c. reassure the client that the procedure is necessary for recovery
d. notify the circulating nurse that the client has questions about the procedure
ANSWER: b. ask the surgeon to speak to the client for clarification
(It is the responsibility of the surgeon to explain the risks and benefits of the surgery.)
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postop following a total prostatectomy. The
nurse notes that the client's right calf is red, edematous, and warm to the touch. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. apply an ice pack to the client's right calf
b. elevate the client's right extremity
c. administer testosterone to the client
d. gently massage the client's right calf ANSWER: b. elevate the client's right
extremity (These findings suggest the client has deep-vein thrombosis. The nurse
should keep the client's right extremity elevated to promote venous return.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound with a Penrose drain in place.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to perform?
a. cut a slit in a 4-inch gauze pad to place around the drain
b. use sterile technique when performing dressing changes
c. establish a clamping schedule prior to removal
d. apply negative pressure when emptying the drain ANSWER: b. use the sterile
technique when performing dressing changes
(The nurse should change the Penrose drain dressing using the surgical aseptic
technique. A drain sponge should be used around a Penrose drain. A gauze pad should
never be cut and used around a drain due to the risk of dressing fibers becoming
embedded in the wound. Establish a clamping schedule prior to removal.
Clamping a Penrose drain can lead to infection. A Penrose drain is an open system and
drains by gravity.)
, 007
A nurse is assessing the client's recovery from spinal anesthesia. Which of the following
sensations should the nurse expect to return to the client first?
a. pain
b. cold
c. touch
d. warmth ANSWER: c. touch
(first touch, then pain, then warmth, then cold)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hour postop from a gastrectomy and has an NG
tube set to continuous low suction. Which of the following findings requires
intervention by the nurse?
a. gastric distention
b. absent bowel sounds
c. urine output of 150 mL over the last 4 hours
d. yellow drainage in the NG tube ANSWER: a. gastric distention
(Gastric distention is an indication that the NG tube is not patent. The nurse should
check the tubing for kinks, blockages, and loose connections. The nurse should also
reposition the client to facilitate drainage. The nurse should avoid removing or
irrigating the tube unless directed to do so by the surgeon.)
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to undergo moderate
sedation for a bronchoscopy. The nurse should verify that the client understands the
procedure when the client states the following?
a. "I will need a bowel prep the day before the procedure"
b. "I will drink plenty of fluids he morning of the procedure
c. "I can eat as soon as the procedure is over."
d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure." ANSWER: d.
"I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure."
A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during a surgical
procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take if the client develops
manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
ADULT HEALTH EXAM 1 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTION AND
RATIONALES 2026\2027 UPDATED
GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who has bradycardia following a surgical procedure using
spinal anesthesia. The nurse should plan to administer which of the following
medications to the client?
a. amiodarone
b. propranolol
c. methyldopa
d. epinephrine ANSWER: d. epinerphrine
(epinephrine is a vasopressor which would increase the client's heart rate and prevent
cardiac arrest
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative and has a closed-wound
drainage system in place. which of the following interventions should the nurse plan
include?
a. check the patency of the drain every 12 hours
b. clamp the drain while the client is ambulating
c. cleanse the drain plug with alcohol after emptying
d. secure the drain to the client's bed sheet ANSWER: c. cleanse the drain plug with
alcohol after emptying
(after emptying the drain, the nurse should use one hand to compress the top and
bottom of the device together and the other to cleanse the plug before placing it. Nurse
should check amount, color, and type of drainage at least every 8 hours)
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is scheduled for an elective
surgery. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the provider to
discontinue prior to surgery to minimize the risk of complications?
,007
a. cefazolin
b. digoxin
c. ondansetron
d. warfarin ANSWER: d. warfarin
( the nurse should anticipate that they will discontinue warfarin because it increases the
risk of bleeding during and following surgery. digoxin does not increase client's risk
for surgical complications)
a surgical nurse enters a surgical suite to ensure surgical asepsis is maintained. which
of the following requires intervention by the nurse?
a. the scrub technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
b. the circulating nurse opens dressing packages before applying sterile gloves
c. the surgeon has her hands folded 2 inches above her waist
d. the holding area nurse is performing client educaiton ANSWER: a. the scrub
technologist is wearing a watch under his scrubs
(finger and wrist jewelry are likely contaminated with microorganisms and bacteria)
A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. "I will have an increase in yellow-colored drainage from my incision for 2 weeks"
b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery"
c. "I should avoid taking OTC pain medication if my pain is not severe
d. "I will remain on bed rest until my follow-up appointment with my doctor
ANSWER: b. "I will eat foods that are high in protein and vitamin C during my
recovery (which promotes wound healing)
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative and is asking multiple questions
about the risks of the procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client
,007
b. Ask the surgeon to speak to the client for verification
c. reassure the client that the procedure is necessary for recovery
d. notify the circulating nurse that the client has questions about the procedure
ANSWER: b. ask the surgeon to speak to the client for clarification
(It is the responsibility of the surgeon to explain the risks and benefits of the surgery.)
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postop following a total prostatectomy. The
nurse notes that the client's right calf is red, edematous, and warm to the touch. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. apply an ice pack to the client's right calf
b. elevate the client's right extremity
c. administer testosterone to the client
d. gently massage the client's right calf ANSWER: b. elevate the client's right
extremity (These findings suggest the client has deep-vein thrombosis. The nurse
should keep the client's right extremity elevated to promote venous return.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound with a Penrose drain in place.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to perform?
a. cut a slit in a 4-inch gauze pad to place around the drain
b. use sterile technique when performing dressing changes
c. establish a clamping schedule prior to removal
d. apply negative pressure when emptying the drain ANSWER: b. use the sterile
technique when performing dressing changes
(The nurse should change the Penrose drain dressing using the surgical aseptic
technique. A drain sponge should be used around a Penrose drain. A gauze pad should
never be cut and used around a drain due to the risk of dressing fibers becoming
embedded in the wound. Establish a clamping schedule prior to removal.
Clamping a Penrose drain can lead to infection. A Penrose drain is an open system and
drains by gravity.)
, 007
A nurse is assessing the client's recovery from spinal anesthesia. Which of the following
sensations should the nurse expect to return to the client first?
a. pain
b. cold
c. touch
d. warmth ANSWER: c. touch
(first touch, then pain, then warmth, then cold)
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hour postop from a gastrectomy and has an NG
tube set to continuous low suction. Which of the following findings requires
intervention by the nurse?
a. gastric distention
b. absent bowel sounds
c. urine output of 150 mL over the last 4 hours
d. yellow drainage in the NG tube ANSWER: a. gastric distention
(Gastric distention is an indication that the NG tube is not patent. The nurse should
check the tubing for kinks, blockages, and loose connections. The nurse should also
reposition the client to facilitate drainage. The nurse should avoid removing or
irrigating the tube unless directed to do so by the surgeon.)
A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to undergo moderate
sedation for a bronchoscopy. The nurse should verify that the client understands the
procedure when the client states the following?
a. "I will need a bowel prep the day before the procedure"
b. "I will drink plenty of fluids he morning of the procedure
c. "I can eat as soon as the procedure is over."
d. "I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure." ANSWER: d.
"I can expect to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure."
A nurse is monitoring a client who received succinylcholine during a surgical
procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take if the client develops
manifestations of malignant hyperthermia?
