Medical-Surgical Nursing Ignatavicius 9th Edition Test
Bank – Practice Exam Questions with Answers
1.A patient is admitted to the ED complaining of severe abdominal pain, stating that he has
been vomiting coffee-ground like emesis. The patient is diagnosed with a perforated gastric
ulcer and is informed that he needs surgery. When can the patient most likely anticipate that
the surgery will be scheduled?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within the next week
C) Without delay because the bleed is emergent
D) As soon as all the days elective surgeries have been completed - Correct answer C
Emergency surgeries are unplanned and occur with little time for preparation for the patient or
the perioperative team. An active bleed is considered an emergency, and the patient requires
immediate attention because the disorder may be life threatening. The surgery would not likely
be deferred until after elective surgeries have been completed.
2.The nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a patient going to surgery. The patient
informs the nurse that he drinks approximately two bottles of wine each day and has for the last
several years. What postoperative difficulties can the nurse anticipate for this patient?
A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome immediately following surgery
B) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 2 to 4 days after his last alcohol drink
,C) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon administration of general anesthesia
D) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 1 week after his last alcohol drink - Correct answer B
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be anticipated between 48 and 96 hours after alcohol
withdrawal and is associated with a significant mortality rate when it occurs postoperatively.
3.In anticipation of a patients scheduled surgery, the nurse is teaching her to perform deep
breathing and coughing to use postoperatively. What action should the nurse teach the patient?
A) The patient should take three deep breaths and cough hard three times, at least every 15
minutes for the immediately postoperative period.
B) The patient should take three deep breaths and exhale forcefully and then take a quick short
breath and cough from deep in the lungs.
C) The patient should take a deep breath in through the mouth and exhale through the mouth,
take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
D) The patient should rapidly inhale, hold for 30 seconds or as long as possible, and exhale
slowly. - Correct answer C
The patient assumes a sitting position to enhance lung expansion. The nurse then demonstrates
how to take a deep, slow breath and how to exhale slowly. After practicing deep breathing
several times, the patient is instructed to breathe deeply, exhale through the mouth, take a
short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
4.The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery prior to her hysterectomy without oophorectomy.
The nurse is witnessing the patients signature on a consent form. Which comment by the
patient would best indicate informed consent?
A) I know Ill be fine because the physician said he has done this procedure hundreds of times.
B) I know Ill have pain after the surgery but theyll do their best to keep it to a minimum.
C) The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of bleeding.
D) Because the physician isnt taking my ovaries, Ill still be able to have children. - Correct answer
C
The surgeon must inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks, complications,
disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what to expect in the early and
,late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the information provided, and, if the patient
requests additional information, the nurse notifies the physician. In the correct response, the
patient is able to tell the nurse what will occur during the procedure and the associated risks.
This indicates the patient has a sufficient understanding of the procedure to provide informed
consent. Clarification of information given may be necessary, but no additional information
should be given. The other listed statements do not reflect an understanding of the surgery to
be performed.
5.The nurse is planning patient teaching for a patient who is scheduled for an open
hemicolectomy. The nurse intends to address the topics of incision splinting and leg exercises
during this teaching session.
When is the best time for the nurse to provide teaching?
A) Upon the patients admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
B) When the patient returns from the PACU
C) During the intraoperative period
D) As soon as possible before the surgical procedure - Correct answer D
Teaching is most effective when provided before surgery. Preoperative teaching is initiated as
soon as possible, beginning in the physicians office, clinic, or at the time of preadmission testing
when diagnostic tests are performed. Upon admission to the PACU, the patient is usually
drowsy, making this an inopportune time for teaching. Upon the patients return from the PACU,
the patient may remain drowsy. During the intraoperative period, anesthesia alters the patients
mental status, rendering teaching ineffective.
6.The nurse is caring for a hospice patient who is scheduled for a surgical procedure to reduce
the size of his spinal tumor in an effort to relieve his pain. The nurse should plan this patient
care with the knowledge that his surgical procedure is classified as which of the following?
A) Diagnostic
B) Laparoscopic
C) Curative
D) Palliative - Correct answer D
A patient on hospice will undergo a surgical procedure only for palliative care to reduce pain,
but it is not curative. The reduction of tumor size to relieve pain is considered a palliative
procedure. A laparoscopic procedure is a type of surgery that is utilized for diagnostic purposes
, or for repair. The excision of a tumor is classified as curative. This patient is not having the
tumor removed, only the size reduced.
7.A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a patient who will soon undergo a cardiac
bypass. The nurses teaching plan includes exercises of the extremities. What is the purpose of
teaching a patient leg exercises prior to surgery?
A) Leg exercises increase the patients muscle mass postoperatively.
B) Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis.
C) Leg exercises help to prevent pressure sores to the sacrum and heels.
D) Leg exercise help increase the patients level of consciousness after surgery. - Correct answer
B
Exercise of the extremities includes extension and flexion of the knee and hip joints (similar to
bicycle riding while lying on the side) unless contraindicated by type of surgical procedure (e.g.,
hip replacement). When the patient does leg exercises postoperatively, circulation is increased,
which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Leg exercises do not prevent pressure sores to
the sacrum, or increase the patients level of consciousness. Leg exercises have the potential to
increase strength and mobility, but are unlikely to make a change to muscle mass in the short
term.
8.During the care of a preoperative patient, the nurse has given the patient a preoperative
benzodiazepine. The patient is now requesting to void. What action should the nurse take?
A) Assist the patient to the bathroom.
B) Offer the patient a bedpan or urinal.
C) Wait until the patient gets to the operating room and is catheterized.
D) Have the patient go to the bathroom. - Correct answer B
If a preanesthetic medication is administered, the patient is kept in bed with the side rails raised
because
the medication can cause lightheadedness or drowsiness. If a patient needs to void following
administration of a sedative, the nurse should offer the patient a urinal. The patient should not
get out of
bed because of the potential for lightheadedness.
Bank – Practice Exam Questions with Answers
1.A patient is admitted to the ED complaining of severe abdominal pain, stating that he has
been vomiting coffee-ground like emesis. The patient is diagnosed with a perforated gastric
ulcer and is informed that he needs surgery. When can the patient most likely anticipate that
the surgery will be scheduled?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within the next week
C) Without delay because the bleed is emergent
D) As soon as all the days elective surgeries have been completed - Correct answer C
Emergency surgeries are unplanned and occur with little time for preparation for the patient or
the perioperative team. An active bleed is considered an emergency, and the patient requires
immediate attention because the disorder may be life threatening. The surgery would not likely
be deferred until after elective surgeries have been completed.
2.The nurse is performing a preoperative assessment on a patient going to surgery. The patient
informs the nurse that he drinks approximately two bottles of wine each day and has for the last
several years. What postoperative difficulties can the nurse anticipate for this patient?
A) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome immediately following surgery
B) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 2 to 4 days after his last alcohol drink
,C) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome upon administration of general anesthesia
D) Alcohol withdrawal syndrome 1 week after his last alcohol drink - Correct answer B
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be anticipated between 48 and 96 hours after alcohol
withdrawal and is associated with a significant mortality rate when it occurs postoperatively.
3.In anticipation of a patients scheduled surgery, the nurse is teaching her to perform deep
breathing and coughing to use postoperatively. What action should the nurse teach the patient?
A) The patient should take three deep breaths and cough hard three times, at least every 15
minutes for the immediately postoperative period.
B) The patient should take three deep breaths and exhale forcefully and then take a quick short
breath and cough from deep in the lungs.
C) The patient should take a deep breath in through the mouth and exhale through the mouth,
take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
D) The patient should rapidly inhale, hold for 30 seconds or as long as possible, and exhale
slowly. - Correct answer C
The patient assumes a sitting position to enhance lung expansion. The nurse then demonstrates
how to take a deep, slow breath and how to exhale slowly. After practicing deep breathing
several times, the patient is instructed to breathe deeply, exhale through the mouth, take a
short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
4.The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery prior to her hysterectomy without oophorectomy.
The nurse is witnessing the patients signature on a consent form. Which comment by the
patient would best indicate informed consent?
A) I know Ill be fine because the physician said he has done this procedure hundreds of times.
B) I know Ill have pain after the surgery but theyll do their best to keep it to a minimum.
C) The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of bleeding.
D) Because the physician isnt taking my ovaries, Ill still be able to have children. - Correct answer
C
The surgeon must inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks, complications,
disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what to expect in the early and
,late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the information provided, and, if the patient
requests additional information, the nurse notifies the physician. In the correct response, the
patient is able to tell the nurse what will occur during the procedure and the associated risks.
This indicates the patient has a sufficient understanding of the procedure to provide informed
consent. Clarification of information given may be necessary, but no additional information
should be given. The other listed statements do not reflect an understanding of the surgery to
be performed.
5.The nurse is planning patient teaching for a patient who is scheduled for an open
hemicolectomy. The nurse intends to address the topics of incision splinting and leg exercises
during this teaching session.
When is the best time for the nurse to provide teaching?
A) Upon the patients admission to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
B) When the patient returns from the PACU
C) During the intraoperative period
D) As soon as possible before the surgical procedure - Correct answer D
Teaching is most effective when provided before surgery. Preoperative teaching is initiated as
soon as possible, beginning in the physicians office, clinic, or at the time of preadmission testing
when diagnostic tests are performed. Upon admission to the PACU, the patient is usually
drowsy, making this an inopportune time for teaching. Upon the patients return from the PACU,
the patient may remain drowsy. During the intraoperative period, anesthesia alters the patients
mental status, rendering teaching ineffective.
6.The nurse is caring for a hospice patient who is scheduled for a surgical procedure to reduce
the size of his spinal tumor in an effort to relieve his pain. The nurse should plan this patient
care with the knowledge that his surgical procedure is classified as which of the following?
A) Diagnostic
B) Laparoscopic
C) Curative
D) Palliative - Correct answer D
A patient on hospice will undergo a surgical procedure only for palliative care to reduce pain,
but it is not curative. The reduction of tumor size to relieve pain is considered a palliative
procedure. A laparoscopic procedure is a type of surgery that is utilized for diagnostic purposes
, or for repair. The excision of a tumor is classified as curative. This patient is not having the
tumor removed, only the size reduced.
7.A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a patient who will soon undergo a cardiac
bypass. The nurses teaching plan includes exercises of the extremities. What is the purpose of
teaching a patient leg exercises prior to surgery?
A) Leg exercises increase the patients muscle mass postoperatively.
B) Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis.
C) Leg exercises help to prevent pressure sores to the sacrum and heels.
D) Leg exercise help increase the patients level of consciousness after surgery. - Correct answer
B
Exercise of the extremities includes extension and flexion of the knee and hip joints (similar to
bicycle riding while lying on the side) unless contraindicated by type of surgical procedure (e.g.,
hip replacement). When the patient does leg exercises postoperatively, circulation is increased,
which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Leg exercises do not prevent pressure sores to
the sacrum, or increase the patients level of consciousness. Leg exercises have the potential to
increase strength and mobility, but are unlikely to make a change to muscle mass in the short
term.
8.During the care of a preoperative patient, the nurse has given the patient a preoperative
benzodiazepine. The patient is now requesting to void. What action should the nurse take?
A) Assist the patient to the bathroom.
B) Offer the patient a bedpan or urinal.
C) Wait until the patient gets to the operating room and is catheterized.
D) Have the patient go to the bathroom. - Correct answer B
If a preanesthetic medication is administered, the patient is kept in bed with the side rails raised
because
the medication can cause lightheadedness or drowsiness. If a patient needs to void following
administration of a sedative, the nurse should offer the patient a urinal. The patient should not
get out of
bed because of the potential for lightheadedness.
