MED SURG FINAL EXAM QUESTION BANK (From Exams 1-3 & ATI’s)

Exam 1

1. A patient has received atropine before surgery and complains of dry mouth.

Which action by the nurse is best? Answer: Tell the patient dry mouth is an

expected side effect.

2. A patient arrives at the ambulatory surgery center for a scheduled laparoscopy

procedure in outpatient surgery. Which information is of most concern to the

nurse? Answer: The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.

3. As the nurse prepares a patient the morning of surgery, the patient refuses to

remove a wedding ring, saying, "I have never taken it off since the day I was

married." Which response by the nurse is best? Answer: Suggest that the patient

give the ring to a family member to keep.

4. The outpatient surgery nurse reviews the complete blood cell (CBC) count results

for a patient who is scheduled for surgery in a few days. The results are white

blood cell (WBC) count 10.2 × 103/µL; hemoglobin 15 g/dL; hematocrit 45%;

platelets 150 × 103/µL. Which action should the nurse take? Answer: Continue to

prepare the patient for the surgical procedure.

5. A 36-year-old female is admitted for an elective surgical procedure. Which

information obtained by the nurse during the preoperative assessment is most

important to report to the anesthesiologist before surgery? Answer: The patient's

statement that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago

6. Which information in the preoperative patient's medication history is most

important to communicate to the health care provider? Answer: The patient takes

garlic capsules daily.

7. A patient who takes a diuretic and a β-blocker to control blood pressure is

scheduled for breast reconstruction surgery. Which patient information is most

important to communicate to the health care provider before surgery? Answer:

Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L

8. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is going to be used for a closed, manual

reduction of a dislocated shoulder. What does the nurse anticipate? Answer:

Starting an IV in the patient’s unaffected arm.

9. While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high

fever after surgery. What action by the nurse is a priority? Answer: Alert the

anesthesia care provider of the family member’s reaction to surgery

10.The nurse facilitates student clinical experiences in the surgical suite. Which

action, if performed by a student, would require the nurse to intervene? Answer:

The student wears street clothed in the semi-restricted area.

11.The operating room nurse is providing orientation to a student nurse. Which

action would the nurse list as a major responsibility of a scrub nurse? Answer:

Keep both hands above the operating table level

12.A patient in surgery receives a neuromuscular blocking agent as an adjunct to

general anesthesia. While in the PACU, what assessment finding is most

important for the nurse to report? Answer: Weak chest movement

13.Which action in the perioperative patient plan of care can the charge nurse

delegate to a surgical technologist? Answer: Pass sterile instruments and

supplies to the surgeon and scrub technician

14.When caring for a patient who has received general anesthetic, the circulating

nurse notes red, raised wheals on the patient’s arms. Which action should the

nurse take? Answer: Notify the ACP