PRACTICE NCLEX EXAM
(Quizlet, Nurseslab, RNPedia, & Brainscape)
Perioperative Nursing
1. The nurse requests a client to sign the surgical consent form for an emergency appendectomy.
Which statement by the client indicates that further teaching is needed?
a. “I will be glad when this is over so that I can go home.”
b. “I will not be able to eat or drink anything prior to my surgery.”
c. “I need to practice relaxing by listening to my favorite music.”
d. “I will need to get up and walk as soon as possible.”
2. The nurse in the holding area of the surgery department is interviewing a client who requests to
keep his religious medal on during surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Notify the surgeon about the client’s request to wear the medal.
b. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
c. Request that the family member take the medal prior to surgery.
d. Explain that taking the medal to surgery is against the policy.
3. The nurse must obtain surgical consent forms for the following clients who are scheduled for
surgery. Which client would not be able to consent to surgery?
a. The 65-year-old client who cannot read or write.
b. The 30-year-old client who does not understand English.
c. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
d. The 80-year-old client who is not oriented to the day.
4. When preparing a client for surgery, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Check the permit for the spouse’s signature.
b. Take and document intake and output.
c. Administer the “on call” sedative.
d. Complete the preoperative checklist.
5. When interviewing the surgical client in the holding area, which information should the nurse report
to the health-care provider? Select all that apply.
a. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
b. The client is experiencing anxiety.
c. The client smokes two packs of cigarettes a day.
d. The client has had a chest x-ray that does not show infiltrates.
e. The client reports using herbs.
6. Which nursing task can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed nursing assistant (NA)?
a. Complete the preoperative checklist.
b. Assess the client’s preoperative vital signs.
c. Teach the client about coughing and deep breathing.
d. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
7. When completing the assessment for the client in the day surgery unit, the client states, “I am really
afraid of having this surgery. I’m afraid of what they will find.” Which statement would be the best
therapeutic response by the nurse?
a. “Don’t worry about your surgery. It is safe.”
b. “Tell me why you’re worried about your surgery.”
, c. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
d. “I understand how you feel. Surgery is frightening.”
8. The 68-year-old client scheduled for intestinal surgery does not have clear fecal contents after three
tap water enemas. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Notify the surgeon of the client’s status.
b. Continue giving enemas until clear.
c. Increase the client’s IV fluid rate.
d. Obtain stat serum electrolytes.
9. The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for abdominal surgery. Which interventions should the
nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
a. Perform range-of-motion exercises.
b. Discuss how to cough effectively.
c. Explain how to perform deep-breathing exercises.
d. Teach ways to manage postoperative pain.
e. Discuss events that occur in the post-anesthesia care unit.
10. The client is scheduled for total hip replacement. Which behavior indicates to the nurse the need for
further preoperative teaching?
a. The client uses the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to inhale through the nose and
exhale through the mouth.
b. The client takes three slow, deep, breaths and coughs forcefully after inhaling for the third
time.
c. The client uses the incentive spirometer and inhales slowly and deeply so that the piston
rises to the preset volume.
d. The client gets out of bed by lifting straight upright from the waist and then swings both legs
along the side of the bed.
11. While completing the preoperative assessment, the male client tells the nurse that he is allergic to
codeine. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Apply an allergy bracelet on the client’s wrist.
b. Label the client’s allergies on the front of the chart.
c. Ask the client what happens when he takes the drug.
d. Document the allergy on the medication administration record.
12. Which laboratory result would require immediate intervention by the nurse for the client scheduled
for surgery?
a. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL.
b. Bleeding time 2 minutes.
c. Hemoglobin 15 gm/dL.
d. Potassium 2.4 mEq/L.
13. Which activities are the circulating nurse’s responsibilities in the operating room?
a. Monitor the position of the client, prepare the surgical site, and ensure the client’s safety.
b. Give preoperative medication in the holding area and monitor the client’s response to
anesthesia.
c. Prepare sutures; set up the sterile field; and count all needles, sponges, and instruments.
d. Prepare the medications to be administered by the anesthesiologist and change the tubing
for the anesthesia machine.
, 14. While working in the operating room the circulating nurse observes the surgical scrub technician
remove a sponge from the edge of the sterile field with a clamp and place the sponge and clamp in
a designated area. Which action should the nurse implement?
a. Place the sponge back where it was.
b. Tell the technician not to waste supplies.
c. Do nothing because this is the correct procedure.
d. Take the sponge out of the room immediately.
15. While the circulating nurse compares the final sponge count with that of the scrub nurse, a
discrepancy in the count is found. Which action should the circulating nurse take first?
a. Notify the client’s surgeon.
b. Complete an Occurrence Report.
c. Contact the surgical manager.
d. Re-count all sponges.
16. Which violation of surgical asepsis would require immediate intervention by the circulating nurse?
a. Surgical supplies were cleaned and sterilized prior to the case.
b. The circulating nurse is wearing a long-sleeved sterile gown.
c. Masks covering the mouth and nose are being worn by the surgical team.
d. The scrub nurse setting up the sterile field is wearing artificial nails.
17. The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis “risk for injury related to positioning” for the client in the
operating room. Which nursing action should the nurse implement?
a. Avoid using the cautery unit that does not have a biomedical tag on it.
b. Carefully pad the client’s elbows before covering the client with a blanket.
c. Apply a warming pad on the OR table before placing the client on the table.
d. Check the chart for any prescription or over-the-counter medication use.
18. When positioning the intraoperative client for surgery, which client should the nurse consider at the
highest rank for irreparable nerve damage?
a. The 16-year-old client in the dorsal recumbent position having an appendectomy.
b. The 68-year-old client in the Trendelenburg position having a cholecystectomy.
c. The 45-year-old client in the reverse Trendelenburg position having a biopsy.
d. The 22-year-old client in the lateral position having a nephrectomy.
19. Which situation demonstrates the circulating nurse acting as the client’s advocate?
a. Plays the client’s favorite audio book during surgery.
b. Keeps the family informed of the findings of the surgery.
c. Keeps the operating room door closed at all times.
d. Calls the client by the first name when the client is recovering.
20. Which statement would be an expected outcome when the circulating nurse evaluates the goal of
the intraoperative client?
a. The client has no injuries from the OR equipment.
b. The client has no postoperative infection.
c. The client has stable vital signs during surgery.
d. The client recovers from anesthesia.
21. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority when preparing the client for a surgical
procedure?
a. Pad the client’s elbows and knees.
(Quizlet, Nurseslab, RNPedia, & Brainscape)
Perioperative Nursing
1. The nurse requests a client to sign the surgical consent form for an emergency appendectomy.
Which statement by the client indicates that further teaching is needed?
a. “I will be glad when this is over so that I can go home.”
b. “I will not be able to eat or drink anything prior to my surgery.”
c. “I need to practice relaxing by listening to my favorite music.”
d. “I will need to get up and walk as soon as possible.”
2. The nurse in the holding area of the surgery department is interviewing a client who requests to
keep his religious medal on during surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Notify the surgeon about the client’s request to wear the medal.
b. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
c. Request that the family member take the medal prior to surgery.
d. Explain that taking the medal to surgery is against the policy.
3. The nurse must obtain surgical consent forms for the following clients who are scheduled for
surgery. Which client would not be able to consent to surgery?
a. The 65-year-old client who cannot read or write.
b. The 30-year-old client who does not understand English.
c. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
d. The 80-year-old client who is not oriented to the day.
4. When preparing a client for surgery, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Check the permit for the spouse’s signature.
b. Take and document intake and output.
c. Administer the “on call” sedative.
d. Complete the preoperative checklist.
5. When interviewing the surgical client in the holding area, which information should the nurse report
to the health-care provider? Select all that apply.
a. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
b. The client is experiencing anxiety.
c. The client smokes two packs of cigarettes a day.
d. The client has had a chest x-ray that does not show infiltrates.
e. The client reports using herbs.
6. Which nursing task can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed nursing assistant (NA)?
a. Complete the preoperative checklist.
b. Assess the client’s preoperative vital signs.
c. Teach the client about coughing and deep breathing.
d. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
7. When completing the assessment for the client in the day surgery unit, the client states, “I am really
afraid of having this surgery. I’m afraid of what they will find.” Which statement would be the best
therapeutic response by the nurse?
a. “Don’t worry about your surgery. It is safe.”
b. “Tell me why you’re worried about your surgery.”
, c. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
d. “I understand how you feel. Surgery is frightening.”
8. The 68-year-old client scheduled for intestinal surgery does not have clear fecal contents after three
tap water enemas. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Notify the surgeon of the client’s status.
b. Continue giving enemas until clear.
c. Increase the client’s IV fluid rate.
d. Obtain stat serum electrolytes.
9. The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for abdominal surgery. Which interventions should the
nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
a. Perform range-of-motion exercises.
b. Discuss how to cough effectively.
c. Explain how to perform deep-breathing exercises.
d. Teach ways to manage postoperative pain.
e. Discuss events that occur in the post-anesthesia care unit.
10. The client is scheduled for total hip replacement. Which behavior indicates to the nurse the need for
further preoperative teaching?
a. The client uses the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to inhale through the nose and
exhale through the mouth.
b. The client takes three slow, deep, breaths and coughs forcefully after inhaling for the third
time.
c. The client uses the incentive spirometer and inhales slowly and deeply so that the piston
rises to the preset volume.
d. The client gets out of bed by lifting straight upright from the waist and then swings both legs
along the side of the bed.
11. While completing the preoperative assessment, the male client tells the nurse that he is allergic to
codeine. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Apply an allergy bracelet on the client’s wrist.
b. Label the client’s allergies on the front of the chart.
c. Ask the client what happens when he takes the drug.
d. Document the allergy on the medication administration record.
12. Which laboratory result would require immediate intervention by the nurse for the client scheduled
for surgery?
a. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL.
b. Bleeding time 2 minutes.
c. Hemoglobin 15 gm/dL.
d. Potassium 2.4 mEq/L.
13. Which activities are the circulating nurse’s responsibilities in the operating room?
a. Monitor the position of the client, prepare the surgical site, and ensure the client’s safety.
b. Give preoperative medication in the holding area and monitor the client’s response to
anesthesia.
c. Prepare sutures; set up the sterile field; and count all needles, sponges, and instruments.
d. Prepare the medications to be administered by the anesthesiologist and change the tubing
for the anesthesia machine.
, 14. While working in the operating room the circulating nurse observes the surgical scrub technician
remove a sponge from the edge of the sterile field with a clamp and place the sponge and clamp in
a designated area. Which action should the nurse implement?
a. Place the sponge back where it was.
b. Tell the technician not to waste supplies.
c. Do nothing because this is the correct procedure.
d. Take the sponge out of the room immediately.
15. While the circulating nurse compares the final sponge count with that of the scrub nurse, a
discrepancy in the count is found. Which action should the circulating nurse take first?
a. Notify the client’s surgeon.
b. Complete an Occurrence Report.
c. Contact the surgical manager.
d. Re-count all sponges.
16. Which violation of surgical asepsis would require immediate intervention by the circulating nurse?
a. Surgical supplies were cleaned and sterilized prior to the case.
b. The circulating nurse is wearing a long-sleeved sterile gown.
c. Masks covering the mouth and nose are being worn by the surgical team.
d. The scrub nurse setting up the sterile field is wearing artificial nails.
17. The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis “risk for injury related to positioning” for the client in the
operating room. Which nursing action should the nurse implement?
a. Avoid using the cautery unit that does not have a biomedical tag on it.
b. Carefully pad the client’s elbows before covering the client with a blanket.
c. Apply a warming pad on the OR table before placing the client on the table.
d. Check the chart for any prescription or over-the-counter medication use.
18. When positioning the intraoperative client for surgery, which client should the nurse consider at the
highest rank for irreparable nerve damage?
a. The 16-year-old client in the dorsal recumbent position having an appendectomy.
b. The 68-year-old client in the Trendelenburg position having a cholecystectomy.
c. The 45-year-old client in the reverse Trendelenburg position having a biopsy.
d. The 22-year-old client in the lateral position having a nephrectomy.
19. Which situation demonstrates the circulating nurse acting as the client’s advocate?
a. Plays the client’s favorite audio book during surgery.
b. Keeps the family informed of the findings of the surgery.
c. Keeps the operating room door closed at all times.
d. Calls the client by the first name when the client is recovering.
20. Which statement would be an expected outcome when the circulating nurse evaluates the goal of
the intraoperative client?
a. The client has no injuries from the OR equipment.
b. The client has no postoperative infection.
c. The client has stable vital signs during surgery.
d. The client recovers from anesthesia.
21. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority when preparing the client for a surgical
procedure?
a. Pad the client’s elbows and knees.
