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Postoperative Nursing Care NCLEX Practice
Questions Complete Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales 2026 High-Yield Edition
Exam (elaborations)
POSTOPERATIVE NURSING CARE NCLEX PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
Complete Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales
2026 High-Yield Edition | Already Graded A+
Course: Medical-Surgical Nursing / NCLEX Review / Perioperative
Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
Section 1 Immediate Postoperative Care (PACU) 1-15
Section 2 Pain Management 16-25
Section 3 Respiratory Complications 26-35
Section 4 Cardiovascular Complications 36-45
Section 5 Wound Complications 46-55
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Section Topic Questions
Section 6 Gastrointestinal Complications 56-65
Section 7 Genitourinary Complications 66-70
Section 8 VTE Prophylaxis and Complications 71-80
Section 9 Surgery-Specific Care 81-90
Section 10 Discharge Teaching 91-100
Section 11 Priority Questions 101-110
Section 12 Select All That Apply (SATA) 111-120
• 1: IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE CARE (PACU)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the PACU following abdominal surgery.
Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88 bpm
C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D. Pain rated 5 on a 0-10 scale
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
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Rationale: Oxygen saturation <90% indicates hypoxemia, which is a
priority because it affects airway and breathing (ABCs). Hypotension,
mild tachycardia, and moderate pain should be addressed after
oxygenation is stabilized. The nurse should administer oxygen and
notify the provider immediately.
NCLEX Tip: Always use the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
framework to prioritize care. Hypoxemia is a life-threatening
emergency.
Question 2
A client is admitted to the PACU following a cholecystectomy. The
nurse notes that the client's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min and they are
difficult to arouse. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Stimulate the client
C. Notify the anesthesia provider
D. Apply oxygen via mask
Answer: A. Administer naloxone
Rationale: Respiratory depression (rate <10) with decreased LOC
indicates opioid overdose. Naloxone is the reversal agent and should be
administered immediately. While stimulating the client and applying
oxygen are appropriate, they are not sufficient for severe respiratory
depression. The nurse should administer naloxone first, then continue to
support respirations and notify the provider.
NCLEX Tip: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid-induced
respiratory depression. It can be given IV, IM, or intranasal.
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Question 3
A client in the PACU has a blood pressure of 88/50 mm Hg, heart rate
118 bpm, and respiratory rate 24 breaths/min. The surgical dressing is
dry and intact. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Apply oxygen
D. Document the findings
Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: Hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea in a postoperative
client may indicate hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding, even
with a dry dressing (bleeding may be internal or into tissues). The nurse
should notify the provider immediately while preparing for interventions
(IV fluids, blood products). Increasing IV fluids may be ordered but is
not the first action without provider notification.
NCLEX Tip: Internal bleeding may not be visible on dressings. Always
consider internal hemorrhage in postoperative patients with signs of
shock.
Question 4
A client is 1 hour post-operative following a hysterectomy. The nurse
assesses the client using the Aldrete score. Which parameters are
included in this scoring system?
A. Activity, respirations, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation
B. Pain, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure
C. Level of consciousness, pupillary response, motor function, verbal
response
D. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, pain
Postoperative Nursing Care NCLEX Practice
Questions Complete Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales 2026 High-Yield Edition
Exam (elaborations)
POSTOPERATIVE NURSING CARE NCLEX PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
Complete Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales
2026 High-Yield Edition | Already Graded A+
Course: Medical-Surgical Nursing / NCLEX Review / Perioperative
Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
Section 1 Immediate Postoperative Care (PACU) 1-15
Section 2 Pain Management 16-25
Section 3 Respiratory Complications 26-35
Section 4 Cardiovascular Complications 36-45
Section 5 Wound Complications 46-55
,2|Page
Section Topic Questions
Section 6 Gastrointestinal Complications 56-65
Section 7 Genitourinary Complications 66-70
Section 8 VTE Prophylaxis and Complications 71-80
Section 9 Surgery-Specific Care 81-90
Section 10 Discharge Teaching 91-100
Section 11 Priority Questions 101-110
Section 12 Select All That Apply (SATA) 111-120
• 1: IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE CARE (PACU)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the PACU following abdominal surgery.
Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88 bpm
C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D. Pain rated 5 on a 0-10 scale
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
,3|Page
Rationale: Oxygen saturation <90% indicates hypoxemia, which is a
priority because it affects airway and breathing (ABCs). Hypotension,
mild tachycardia, and moderate pain should be addressed after
oxygenation is stabilized. The nurse should administer oxygen and
notify the provider immediately.
NCLEX Tip: Always use the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
framework to prioritize care. Hypoxemia is a life-threatening
emergency.
Question 2
A client is admitted to the PACU following a cholecystectomy. The
nurse notes that the client's respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min and they are
difficult to arouse. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Stimulate the client
C. Notify the anesthesia provider
D. Apply oxygen via mask
Answer: A. Administer naloxone
Rationale: Respiratory depression (rate <10) with decreased LOC
indicates opioid overdose. Naloxone is the reversal agent and should be
administered immediately. While stimulating the client and applying
oxygen are appropriate, they are not sufficient for severe respiratory
depression. The nurse should administer naloxone first, then continue to
support respirations and notify the provider.
NCLEX Tip: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid-induced
respiratory depression. It can be given IV, IM, or intranasal.
, 4|Page
Question 3
A client in the PACU has a blood pressure of 88/50 mm Hg, heart rate
118 bpm, and respiratory rate 24 breaths/min. The surgical dressing is
dry and intact. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Apply oxygen
D. Document the findings
Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: Hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea in a postoperative
client may indicate hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding, even
with a dry dressing (bleeding may be internal or into tissues). The nurse
should notify the provider immediately while preparing for interventions
(IV fluids, blood products). Increasing IV fluids may be ordered but is
not the first action without provider notification.
NCLEX Tip: Internal bleeding may not be visible on dressings. Always
consider internal hemorrhage in postoperative patients with signs of
shock.
Question 4
A client is 1 hour post-operative following a hysterectomy. The nurse
assesses the client using the Aldrete score. Which parameters are
included in this scoring system?
A. Activity, respirations, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation
B. Pain, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure
C. Level of consciousness, pupillary response, motor function, verbal
response
D. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, pain
