NUR 242 Exam 1 – Med-Surg Concepts (2026)
Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Answers with Rationales
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing (Questions 1-70)
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Which finding requires postponement
of the procedure?
A. Temperature 101.5°F
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Glucose 120 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
Answer: A. Temperature 101.5°F
Rationale: Fever may indicate infection, requiring surgery
postponement until the cause is identified and treated .
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and reports allergies to latex. Which
action is most important?
A. Document allergy in the chart
B. Use latex-free supplies
C. Notify the OR staff
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Latex allergy requires documentation, use of latex-free
supplies, and notification of all healthcare personnel involved in the
patient's care .
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and is NPO after midnight. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Do not eat or drink after midnight"
B. "Drink clear liquids only"
,C. "Eat a light breakfast"
D. "No restrictions"
Answer: A. "Do not eat or drink after midnight"
Rationale: NPO status prevents aspiration during anesthesia. Strict
adherence is essential for patient safety .
4. A patient takes warfarin (Coumadin) and is scheduled for surgery. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Notify your provider to discuss stopping warfarin"
B. "Continue warfarin as usual"
C. "Double the dose"
D. "Stop warfarin immediately"
Answer: A. "Notify your provider to discuss stopping warfarin"
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk; the provider will
determine when to stop the medication based on the procedure and
patient's risk factors .
5. A patient in the preoperative holding area is anxious. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Provide information about the procedure
B. Offer reassurance
C. Allow family presence
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Preoperative anxiety is managed with information,
reassurance, and family support to reduce stress .
6. A patient in the preoperative holding area has signed the consent form.
Which statement indicates understanding of informed consent?
A. "I understand the risks and benefits of the procedure"
B. "I didn't read the form"
C. "I signed because my family wanted me to"
D. "I don't understand but signed anyway"
Answer: A. "I understand the risks and benefits of the procedure"
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding of risks,
,benefits, and alternatives. The patient must be competent and
voluntarily agree .
7. A patient in the preoperative holding area states they are allergic to
penicillin. Which action is most important?
A. Document allergy
B. Place allergy band
C. Notify anesthesia provider
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Allergies must be documented, identified with an allergy
band, and communicated to all providers to prevent adverse reactions
.
8. A patient in the preoperative holding area has a missing tooth. Which
action is most important?
A. Document
B. Notify anesthesia provider
C. Remove dentures
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Loose teeth or dentures must be documented, and
anesthesia notified to prevent aspiration during intubation .
9. A patient in the preoperative holding area has jewelry. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Remove jewelry
B. Tape over jewelry
C. Leave jewelry
D. Cover with gauze
Answer: A. Remove jewelry
Rationale: Jewelry should be removed to prevent injury and loss.
Religious items may be taped if permitted by facility policy .
10. A patient is transferred to the operating room. The nurse should verify:
A. Patient identity
, B. Procedure
C. Consent
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: The "time out" includes verifying patient identity, procedure, and
consent before surgery begins .
11. A patient is in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Which assessment is
most important?
A. Airway
B. Breathing
C. Circulation
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) are the priority in PACU to
ensure patient safety .
12. A patient in PACU has a pulse oximetry of 88%. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Notify provider
C. Assess airway
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypoxia requires immediate oxygen therapy, airway assessment,
and notification of the provider .
13. A patient in PACU has a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Notify provider
C. Assess for bleeding
D. All of the above
Galen College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Answers with Rationales
Section 1: Perioperative Nursing (Questions 1-70)
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Which finding requires postponement
of the procedure?
A. Temperature 101.5°F
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
C. Glucose 120 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
Answer: A. Temperature 101.5°F
Rationale: Fever may indicate infection, requiring surgery
postponement until the cause is identified and treated .
2. A patient is scheduled for surgery and reports allergies to latex. Which
action is most important?
A. Document allergy in the chart
B. Use latex-free supplies
C. Notify the OR staff
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Latex allergy requires documentation, use of latex-free
supplies, and notification of all healthcare personnel involved in the
patient's care .
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and is NPO after midnight. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Do not eat or drink after midnight"
B. "Drink clear liquids only"
,C. "Eat a light breakfast"
D. "No restrictions"
Answer: A. "Do not eat or drink after midnight"
Rationale: NPO status prevents aspiration during anesthesia. Strict
adherence is essential for patient safety .
4. A patient takes warfarin (Coumadin) and is scheduled for surgery. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Notify your provider to discuss stopping warfarin"
B. "Continue warfarin as usual"
C. "Double the dose"
D. "Stop warfarin immediately"
Answer: A. "Notify your provider to discuss stopping warfarin"
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk; the provider will
determine when to stop the medication based on the procedure and
patient's risk factors .
5. A patient in the preoperative holding area is anxious. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Provide information about the procedure
B. Offer reassurance
C. Allow family presence
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Preoperative anxiety is managed with information,
reassurance, and family support to reduce stress .
6. A patient in the preoperative holding area has signed the consent form.
Which statement indicates understanding of informed consent?
A. "I understand the risks and benefits of the procedure"
B. "I didn't read the form"
C. "I signed because my family wanted me to"
D. "I don't understand but signed anyway"
Answer: A. "I understand the risks and benefits of the procedure"
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding of risks,
,benefits, and alternatives. The patient must be competent and
voluntarily agree .
7. A patient in the preoperative holding area states they are allergic to
penicillin. Which action is most important?
A. Document allergy
B. Place allergy band
C. Notify anesthesia provider
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Allergies must be documented, identified with an allergy
band, and communicated to all providers to prevent adverse reactions
.
8. A patient in the preoperative holding area has a missing tooth. Which
action is most important?
A. Document
B. Notify anesthesia provider
C. Remove dentures
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Loose teeth or dentures must be documented, and
anesthesia notified to prevent aspiration during intubation .
9. A patient in the preoperative holding area has jewelry. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Remove jewelry
B. Tape over jewelry
C. Leave jewelry
D. Cover with gauze
Answer: A. Remove jewelry
Rationale: Jewelry should be removed to prevent injury and loss.
Religious items may be taped if permitted by facility policy .
10. A patient is transferred to the operating room. The nurse should verify:
A. Patient identity
, B. Procedure
C. Consent
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: The "time out" includes verifying patient identity, procedure, and
consent before surgery begins .
11. A patient is in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Which assessment is
most important?
A. Airway
B. Breathing
C. Circulation
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) are the priority in PACU to
ensure patient safety .
12. A patient in PACU has a pulse oximetry of 88%. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Notify provider
C. Assess airway
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Hypoxia requires immediate oxygen therapy, airway assessment,
and notification of the provider .
13. A patient in PACU has a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Notify provider
C. Assess for bleeding
D. All of the above
