Chapters 17, 18, 19
Perioperative Nursing Care
(Preoperative, Intraoperative,
Postoperative) 2026 Exam
Questions and Correct
Answers | New Update
When a patient is admitted to the PACU, what are the priority
interventions the nurse performs?
a. Assess the surgical site, no tine presence and character of drainage
,b. Assess the amount of urine output and the presence of bladder
distention
c. Assess for airway potency and quality of expirations, and obtain vital
signs.
d. Review results of intraoperative laboratory values and medications
received. - ANSWER ✔✔c. Assess for airway potency and quality of
expirations, and obtain vital signs.
Rationale: Assessment in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) begins
with evaluation of the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) status of
the patient. Identification of inadequate oxygenation and ventilation or
respiratory compromise necessitates prompt intervention.
A patient is admitted to the PACU after major abdominal surgery. During
the initial assessment the patient tells the nurse he thinks he is going to
"throw up." A priority nursing intervention would be to:
a. increase the rate of IV fluids
b. obtain vital signs, including O2 saturation
c. position patient in lateral recovery position
,d. administer antiemetic medication as ordered - ANSWER ✔✔c.
position patient in lateral recovery position
Rationale: If the patient is nauseated and may vomit, place the patient in
a lateral recovery position to keep the airway open and reduce the risk of
aspiration if vomiting occurs.
After admission of the postoperative patient to the clinical unit, which
assessment data require the most immediate attention?
a. Oxygen saturation of 85%
b. Respiratory rate of 13/min
c. Temperature of 100.4F
d. Blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg - ANSWER ✔✔a. Oxygen
saturation of 85%
Rationale: During the initial assessment, identify signs of inadequate
oxygenation and ventilation. Pulse oximetry monitoring is initiated
because it provides a noninvasive means of assessing the adequacy of
oxygenation. Pulse oximetry may indicate low oxygen saturation (<90%
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, to 92%) with respiratory compromise. This necessitates prompt
intervention.
A 70-kg postoperative patient has an average urine output of 25 mL/hr
during the first 8 hours. The priority nursing intervention(s) given this
assessment would be to:
a. perform a straight catheterization to measure the amount of urine in
the bladder
b. notify the physician and anticipate obtaining blood work to evaluate
renal function
c. continue to monitor the patient because this is a normal finding during
this time period
d. evaluate the patient's fluid volume status since surgery and obtain a
bladder ultrasound - ANSWER ✔✔d. evaluate the patient's fluid
volume status since surgery and obtain a bladder ultrasound
Rationale: Because of the possibility of infection associated with
catheterization, the nurse should first try to validate that the bladder is
full. The nurse should consider fluid intake during and after surgery and
should determine bladder fullness by percussion, by palpation, or by a
Perioperative Nursing Care
(Preoperative, Intraoperative,
Postoperative) 2026 Exam
Questions and Correct
Answers | New Update
When a patient is admitted to the PACU, what are the priority
interventions the nurse performs?
a. Assess the surgical site, no tine presence and character of drainage
,b. Assess the amount of urine output and the presence of bladder
distention
c. Assess for airway potency and quality of expirations, and obtain vital
signs.
d. Review results of intraoperative laboratory values and medications
received. - ANSWER ✔✔c. Assess for airway potency and quality of
expirations, and obtain vital signs.
Rationale: Assessment in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) begins
with evaluation of the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) status of
the patient. Identification of inadequate oxygenation and ventilation or
respiratory compromise necessitates prompt intervention.
A patient is admitted to the PACU after major abdominal surgery. During
the initial assessment the patient tells the nurse he thinks he is going to
"throw up." A priority nursing intervention would be to:
a. increase the rate of IV fluids
b. obtain vital signs, including O2 saturation
c. position patient in lateral recovery position
,d. administer antiemetic medication as ordered - ANSWER ✔✔c.
position patient in lateral recovery position
Rationale: If the patient is nauseated and may vomit, place the patient in
a lateral recovery position to keep the airway open and reduce the risk of
aspiration if vomiting occurs.
After admission of the postoperative patient to the clinical unit, which
assessment data require the most immediate attention?
a. Oxygen saturation of 85%
b. Respiratory rate of 13/min
c. Temperature of 100.4F
d. Blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg - ANSWER ✔✔a. Oxygen
saturation of 85%
Rationale: During the initial assessment, identify signs of inadequate
oxygenation and ventilation. Pulse oximetry monitoring is initiated
because it provides a noninvasive means of assessing the adequacy of
oxygenation. Pulse oximetry may indicate low oxygen saturation (<90%
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, to 92%) with respiratory compromise. This necessitates prompt
intervention.
A 70-kg postoperative patient has an average urine output of 25 mL/hr
during the first 8 hours. The priority nursing intervention(s) given this
assessment would be to:
a. perform a straight catheterization to measure the amount of urine in
the bladder
b. notify the physician and anticipate obtaining blood work to evaluate
renal function
c. continue to monitor the patient because this is a normal finding during
this time period
d. evaluate the patient's fluid volume status since surgery and obtain a
bladder ultrasound - ANSWER ✔✔d. evaluate the patient's fluid
volume status since surgery and obtain a bladder ultrasound
Rationale: Because of the possibility of infection associated with
catheterization, the nurse should first try to validate that the bladder is
full. The nurse should consider fluid intake during and after surgery and
should determine bladder fullness by percussion, by palpation, or by a
