College
1. Which member of the healthcare team is primarily responsible for obtaining
the patient’s informed consent for a surgical procedure?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The anesthesiologist
C. The surgeon
D. The pre-operative nurse
Answer: C
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits,
and alternatives to obtain informed consent. The nurse’s role is to witness the signature.
2. A patient is 2 hours post-operative. The nurse notes the urinary output is 20
mL/hr. What is the priority action?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Encourage the patient to drink more water
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer a diuretic as ordered
Answer: C
Rationale: Adult urinary output should be at least 30 mL/hr. Output below this indicates
potential renal failure or hypovolemia and must be reported.
,3. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient at risk for if they are receiving
frequent nasogastric (NG) tube suctioning?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Gastric secretions are rich in potassium; excessive suctioning or vomiting can
lead to hypokalemia.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient for Chvostek’s sign. A positive result indicates
which imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
5. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results show pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, and
HCO3 24. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45) indicates a
respiratory cause.
, 6. Which medication is the treatment of choice for a patient experiencing
Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Atropine
B. Dantrolene sodium
C. Epinephrine
D. Lidocaine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that specifically treats the
hypermetabolic crisis of Malignant Hyperthermia.
7. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which allergy is most critical to
report to the surgical team due to its prevalence in the OR?
A. Latex
B. Peanuts
C. Shellfish
D. Penicillin
Answer: A
Rationale: Latex is widely used in OR equipment; a latex allergy requires a ‘latex-free’
environment to prevent anaphylaxis.
8. A patient reports a ‘popping’ sensation at the abdominal incision site after
coughing. The nurse notes internal organs are protruding. What is the first
action?
A. Cover the area with sterile saline-soaked dressings
B. Push the organs back in gently
C. Call the surgeon immediately
D. Instruct the patient to remain still and take deep breaths
Answer: A