Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
1. The nurse requests the client to sign a surgical informed consent form for an emergency
appendectomy. Which statement by the client indicates further teaching is needed?
1. “I will be glad when this is over so I can go home today.”
2. “I will not be able to eat or drink anything prior to my surgery.”
3. “I can practice relaxing by listening to my favorite music.”
4. “I will need to get up and walk as soon as possible.”
1. “I will be glad when this is over so I can go home today.”
1. The client will be in the hospital for a few days. This is not a day-surgery procedure.
The client needs more teaching.
2. Clients are NPO (nothing by mouth) prior to surgery to prevent aspiration during and
after anesthesia. The client understands the teaching.
3. Listening to music and other relaxing techniques can be used to alleviate anxiety and
pain. This statement indicates the client understands the teaching.
4. Clients are encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible and progress until a return
to daily activity is achieved. The client understands the teaching.
TEST-TAKING HINT: This question is asking the test taker to identify the answer option which
is incorrect. Three (3) options will be appropriate statements which indicate the client
understands the teaching.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Evaluation: Client Needs – Physiological Integrity, Reduction of Risk Potential: Cognitive Level
– Synthesis.
2. The nurse in the holding area of the surgery department is interviewing a client who requests
to keep his religious medal and ring on during surgery. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
1. Notify the surgeon about the client’s request to wear the medal.
2. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
3. Request the family member take the medal prior to surgery.
4. Explain taking the medal to surgery is against the policy.
2. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
,Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
1. The surgeon does not need to be notified of the client’s request; this can be addressed
by the nursing staff.
2.The medal should be taped and the client should be allowed to wear the medal
because meeting spiritual needs is essential to this client’s care.
3. The client should be allowed to bring the medal to surgery if the medal is taped to
the client.
4. Hospital policies should be established for the well-being of clients, and spiritual
needs should be addressed.
TEST-TAKING HINT: Because options “3” and “4” do not allow the client to wear the medal to
surgery, these can be eliminated as possible answers because they are both saying the same thing.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
3. The nurse must obtain surgical consent forms for the scheduled surgery. Which client would
not be able to consent legally to surgery?
1. The 65-year-old client who cannot read or write.
2. The 30-year-old client who does not understand English.
3. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
4. The 80-year-old client who is not oriented to the day.
3. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
1. The 65-year-old client who cannot read can mark an “X” on the form and is legally able to
sign a surgical permit as long as the client understands the benefits, alternatives, and all
potential complications of the surgery.
2. The client who does not speak English can and should have information given and questions
answered in the client’s native language.
3. A 16-year-old client is not legally able to give permission for surgery unless the
adolescent has been given an emancipated status by a judge. This information was
not given in the stem.
4. A client is able to give permission unless determined incompetent. Not knowing the day of the
week is not significant.
TEST-TAKING HINT: Age in a stem or option gives the test taker a clue as to the correct
answer. The nurse must be aware of legal issues when caring for the client.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Assessment: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Analysis.
4. The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
1. Check the permit for the spouse’s signature.
,Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
2. Take and document intake and output.
3. Administer the “on call” sedative.
4. Complete the preoperative checklist.
4. Complete the preoperative checklist.
1. The client’s signature, not the spouse’s, should be on the surgical permit.
2. This would be important information if ab- normal, but it is not the first intervention.
3. “On call” sedatives should be administered after the surgical checklist is completed.
4. Completing the preoperative checklist has the highest priority to ensure all details
are completed without omissions.
TEST-TAKING HINT: A client should never be sedated until the permit has been verified and all
legal issues are settled. The test taker should not read into a question by inserting facts not in the
stem. For example, the test taker may think option “1” could be a correct answer if the client is
con- fused, but the stem does not include this information.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
5. The nurse is interviewing a surgical client in the holding area. Which information should
the nurse report to the anesthesiologist? Select all that apply.
1. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
2. The client is experiencing anxiety.
3. The client smokes two (2) packs of cigarettes a day.
4. The client has had a chest x-ray which does not show infiltrates.
5. The client reports using herbs.
1. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
3. The client smokes two (2) packs of cigarettes a day.
5. The client reports using herbs.
1. Loose teeth or caries need to be reported to the anesthesiologist so he or she can make
provisions to prevent breaking the teeth and causing the client to possibly aspirate
pieces.
2. The nurse should report any client who is extremely anxious, but the nurse can
address the needs of a client experiencing expected surgical anxiety.
3. Smokers are at a higher risk for complications from anesthesia.
4. No infiltrates on a chest x-ray is a normal finding and does not be reported.
5. Herbs—for example, St. John’s wort, licorice, and ginkgo—have serious
interactions with anesthesia and with bodily functions such as coagulation.
TEST-TAKING HINT: This question is an alternate-type question requiring the test taker to
select more than one (1) option as the correct answer. Safety is priority for a client undergoing
surgery.
, Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
6. Which task would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
1. Complete the preoperative checklist.
2. Assess the client’s preoperative vital signs.
3. Teach the client about coughing and deep breathing.
4. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
4. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
1. The nurse should complete this form because it requires analysis, which cannot be delegated
to the UAP.
2. Nurses cannot delegate assessment.
3. The nurse cannot delegate teaching to a UAP.
4. The UAP can remove clothing and jewelry.
TEST-TAKING HINT: The nurse should con- sider the knowledge and training of the person
receiving the assignments. The nurse should never delegate assessment, teaching, administering
medications, evaluation, or care of an unstable client to a UAP.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Planning: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care: Cognitive
Level – Synthesis.
7. The nurse is assessing a client in the day surgery unit who 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?
1. “Don’t worry about your surgery. It is safe.”
2. “Tell me why you’re worried about your surgery.”
3. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
4. “I understand how you feel. Surgery is frightening.”
3. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
1. This statement is giving false reassurance.
2. “Why” is never therapeutic. The client does not owe the nurse an explanation.
3. This statement focuses on the emotion which the client identified and is therapeutic.
4. This statement belittles the client’s fear, and no person understands how another person feels.
TEST-TAKING HINT: There are rules the test taker should implement when answering these
types of questions. The test taker should not select an option which asks the client “why,” such as
option “2,” or an option which states, “I understand,” such as option “4.”
answers graded a+
1. The nurse requests the client to sign a surgical informed consent form for an emergency
appendectomy. Which statement by the client indicates further teaching is needed?
1. “I will be glad when this is over so I can go home today.”
2. “I will not be able to eat or drink anything prior to my surgery.”
3. “I can practice relaxing by listening to my favorite music.”
4. “I will need to get up and walk as soon as possible.”
1. “I will be glad when this is over so I can go home today.”
1. The client will be in the hospital for a few days. This is not a day-surgery procedure.
The client needs more teaching.
2. Clients are NPO (nothing by mouth) prior to surgery to prevent aspiration during and
after anesthesia. The client understands the teaching.
3. Listening to music and other relaxing techniques can be used to alleviate anxiety and
pain. This statement indicates the client understands the teaching.
4. Clients are encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible and progress until a return
to daily activity is achieved. The client understands the teaching.
TEST-TAKING HINT: This question is asking the test taker to identify the answer option which
is incorrect. Three (3) options will be appropriate statements which indicate the client
understands the teaching.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Evaluation: Client Needs – Physiological Integrity, Reduction of Risk Potential: Cognitive Level
– Synthesis.
2. The nurse in the holding area of the surgery department is interviewing a client who requests
to keep his religious medal and ring on during surgery. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
1. Notify the surgeon about the client’s request to wear the medal.
2. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
3. Request the family member take the medal prior to surgery.
4. Explain taking the medal to surgery is against the policy.
2. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
,Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
1. The surgeon does not need to be notified of the client’s request; this can be addressed
by the nursing staff.
2.The medal should be taped and the client should be allowed to wear the medal
because meeting spiritual needs is essential to this client’s care.
3. The client should be allowed to bring the medal to surgery if the medal is taped to
the client.
4. Hospital policies should be established for the well-being of clients, and spiritual
needs should be addressed.
TEST-TAKING HINT: Because options “3” and “4” do not allow the client to wear the medal to
surgery, these can be eliminated as possible answers because they are both saying the same thing.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
3. The nurse must obtain surgical consent forms for the scheduled surgery. Which client would
not be able to consent legally to surgery?
1. The 65-year-old client who cannot read or write.
2. The 30-year-old client who does not understand English.
3. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
4. The 80-year-old client who is not oriented to the day.
3. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
1. The 65-year-old client who cannot read can mark an “X” on the form and is legally able to
sign a surgical permit as long as the client understands the benefits, alternatives, and all
potential complications of the surgery.
2. The client who does not speak English can and should have information given and questions
answered in the client’s native language.
3. A 16-year-old client is not legally able to give permission for surgery unless the
adolescent has been given an emancipated status by a judge. This information was
not given in the stem.
4. A client is able to give permission unless determined incompetent. Not knowing the day of the
week is not significant.
TEST-TAKING HINT: Age in a stem or option gives the test taker a clue as to the correct
answer. The nurse must be aware of legal issues when caring for the client.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Assessment: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Analysis.
4. The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
1. Check the permit for the spouse’s signature.
,Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
2. Take and document intake and output.
3. Administer the “on call” sedative.
4. Complete the preoperative checklist.
4. Complete the preoperative checklist.
1. The client’s signature, not the spouse’s, should be on the surgical permit.
2. This would be important information if ab- normal, but it is not the first intervention.
3. “On call” sedatives should be administered after the surgical checklist is completed.
4. Completing the preoperative checklist has the highest priority to ensure all details
are completed without omissions.
TEST-TAKING HINT: A client should never be sedated until the permit has been verified and all
legal issues are settled. The test taker should not read into a question by inserting facts not in the
stem. For example, the test taker may think option “1” could be a correct answer if the client is
con- fused, but the stem does not include this information.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
5. The nurse is interviewing a surgical client in the holding area. Which information should
the nurse report to the anesthesiologist? Select all that apply.
1. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
2. The client is experiencing anxiety.
3. The client smokes two (2) packs of cigarettes a day.
4. The client has had a chest x-ray which does not show infiltrates.
5. The client reports using herbs.
1. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
3. The client smokes two (2) packs of cigarettes a day.
5. The client reports using herbs.
1. Loose teeth or caries need to be reported to the anesthesiologist so he or she can make
provisions to prevent breaking the teeth and causing the client to possibly aspirate
pieces.
2. The nurse should report any client who is extremely anxious, but the nurse can
address the needs of a client experiencing expected surgical anxiety.
3. Smokers are at a higher risk for complications from anesthesia.
4. No infiltrates on a chest x-ray is a normal finding and does not be reported.
5. Herbs—for example, St. John’s wort, licorice, and ginkgo—have serious
interactions with anesthesia and with bodily functions such as coagulation.
TEST-TAKING HINT: This question is an alternate-type question requiring the test taker to
select more than one (1) option as the correct answer. Safety is priority for a client undergoing
surgery.
, Nurs PERIOPERATIVE CARE exam questions with
answers graded a+
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Implementation: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care:
Cognitive Level – Application.
6. Which task would be most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP)?
1. Complete the preoperative checklist.
2. Assess the client’s preoperative vital signs.
3. Teach the client about coughing and deep breathing.
4. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
4. Assist the client to remove clothing and jewelry.
1. The nurse should complete this form because it requires analysis, which cannot be delegated
to the UAP.
2. Nurses cannot delegate assessment.
3. The nurse cannot delegate teaching to a UAP.
4. The UAP can remove clothing and jewelry.
TEST-TAKING HINT: The nurse should con- sider the knowledge and training of the person
receiving the assignments. The nurse should never delegate assessment, teaching, administering
medications, evaluation, or care of an unstable client to a UAP.
Content – Surgical: Category of Health Alteration – Preoperative: Integrated Nursing Process –
Planning: Client Needs – Safe Effective Care Environment, Management of Care: Cognitive
Level – Synthesis.
7. The nurse is assessing a client in the day surgery unit who 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?
1. “Don’t worry about your surgery. It is safe.”
2. “Tell me why you’re worried about your surgery.”
3. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
4. “I understand how you feel. Surgery is frightening.”
3. “Tell me about your fears of having this surgery.”
1. This statement is giving false reassurance.
2. “Why” is never therapeutic. The client does not owe the nurse an explanation.
3. This statement focuses on the emotion which the client identified and is therapeutic.
4. This statement belittles the client’s fear, and no person understands how another person feels.
TEST-TAKING HINT: There are rules the test taker should implement when answering these
types of questions. The test taker should not select an option which asks the client “why,” such as
option “2,” or an option which states, “I understand,” such as option “4.”
