NSG 122 Exam 4 V2 | NSG 122 Nursing
Fundamental Concepts | Herzing | 2026
Q&A with Rationale (Herzing NSG122
Exam 4 2026)
1. A nurse is witnessing a client sign a surgical consent form. What is the nurse’s primary legal
responsibility in this situation?
A. To ensure the client fully understands the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. To provide a detailed description of the surgical steps.
C. To explain the alternative treatments available to the client.
D. To verify that the client is signing the form voluntarily and is competent to do so.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, confirming that the client is who
they say they are and that the consent is voluntary. It is the surgeon’s responsibility to
explain the procedure, risks, and alternatives. The nurse should notify the surgeon if the
client expresses a lack of understanding before the procedure begins.
2. Which postoperative intervention is most effective in preventing atelectasis and
pneumonia?
A. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while awake.
B. Providing humidified oxygen via nasal cannula.
,C. Restricting fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema.
D. Administering cough suppressants to manage discomfort.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps
clear secretions and prevent alveolar collapse. This intervention is a standard of care for
postoperative respiratory hygiene. Cough suppressants are generally avoided because
coughing is a necessary mechanism to clear the airway.
3. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which action by the nurse would
contaminate the field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Placing a sterile gauze pad 1.5 inches from the edge of the sterile drape.
C. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up a pair of sterile forceps.
D. Holding sterile items above the level of the waist.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field violates the principles of surgical asepsis because
microorganisms can drop from the nurse’s sleeve or skin onto the field. The one-inch
border around the edge of a sterile field is considered contaminated, so placing items
within that border is safe as long as they don’t touch the very edge. Maintaining the field
within the nurse’s line of vision and above the waist is essential for maintaining sterility.
, 4. A client is 2 days postoperative from abdominal surgery and reports a ‘popping’ sensation
after coughing. The nurse observes that the wound edges have separated and a loop of bowel
is protruding. What is the priority action?
A. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity gently.
B. Cover the protruding organ with sterile dressings moistened with sterile normal saline.
C. Apply a tight abdominal binder to hold the wound together.
D. Ask the client to walk to the nursing station to get help.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This is a surgical evisceration, which is a medical emergency. Covering the
exposed tissue with sterile, saline-soaked dressings prevents the organ from drying out
and reduces the risk of infection. The nurse must also stay with the client, notify the
surgeon immediately, and keep the client in a low-Fowler’s position with knees bent.
5. Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of a client’s current nutritional
status regarding wound healing?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Total White Blood Cell Count
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum Prealbumin
Correct Answer: D
Fundamental Concepts | Herzing | 2026
Q&A with Rationale (Herzing NSG122
Exam 4 2026)
1. A nurse is witnessing a client sign a surgical consent form. What is the nurse’s primary legal
responsibility in this situation?
A. To ensure the client fully understands the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. To provide a detailed description of the surgical steps.
C. To explain the alternative treatments available to the client.
D. To verify that the client is signing the form voluntarily and is competent to do so.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse acts as a witness to the signature, confirming that the client is who
they say they are and that the consent is voluntary. It is the surgeon’s responsibility to
explain the procedure, risks, and alternatives. The nurse should notify the surgeon if the
client expresses a lack of understanding before the procedure begins.
2. Which postoperative intervention is most effective in preventing atelectasis and
pneumonia?
A. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while awake.
B. Providing humidified oxygen via nasal cannula.
,C. Restricting fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema.
D. Administering cough suppressants to manage discomfort.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps
clear secretions and prevent alveolar collapse. This intervention is a standard of care for
postoperative respiratory hygiene. Cough suppressants are generally avoided because
coughing is a necessary mechanism to clear the airway.
3. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which action by the nurse would
contaminate the field?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the body.
B. Placing a sterile gauze pad 1.5 inches from the edge of the sterile drape.
C. Reaching across the sterile field to pick up a pair of sterile forceps.
D. Holding sterile items above the level of the waist.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field violates the principles of surgical asepsis because
microorganisms can drop from the nurse’s sleeve or skin onto the field. The one-inch
border around the edge of a sterile field is considered contaminated, so placing items
within that border is safe as long as they don’t touch the very edge. Maintaining the field
within the nurse’s line of vision and above the waist is essential for maintaining sterility.
, 4. A client is 2 days postoperative from abdominal surgery and reports a ‘popping’ sensation
after coughing. The nurse observes that the wound edges have separated and a loop of bowel
is protruding. What is the priority action?
A. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity gently.
B. Cover the protruding organ with sterile dressings moistened with sterile normal saline.
C. Apply a tight abdominal binder to hold the wound together.
D. Ask the client to walk to the nursing station to get help.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This is a surgical evisceration, which is a medical emergency. Covering the
exposed tissue with sterile, saline-soaked dressings prevents the organ from drying out
and reduces the risk of infection. The nurse must also stay with the client, notify the
surgeon immediately, and keep the client in a low-Fowler’s position with knees bent.
5. Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of a client’s current nutritional
status regarding wound healing?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Total White Blood Cell Count
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum Prealbumin
Correct Answer: D
