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WorksheetsSurgical Nursing Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 17mins
A 64-year-old man scheduled for elective hernia repair expresses fear of anesthesia, recalling that a friend died during surgery years ago. The nurse explains the different anesthesia types, including general, regional, and local anesthesia, emphasizing the safety protocols. Despite reassurance, the patient insists on knowing the risks and complications. He asks if he will still breathe on his own under general anesthesia. Which statement by the nurse is MOST accurate?
Yes, you will breathe normally under general anesthesia.
No, you will need airway support because general anesthesia depresses respiratory function.
You will only need supplemental oxygen through nasal cannula.
Your breathing will not be affected at all by anesthesia.
A 45-year-old woman is undergoing abdominal surgery. Preoperatively, she was taught deep breathing, coughing, and splinting her incision. Postoperatively, she refuses to cough due to pain, leading to decreased breath sounds and low oxygen saturation. The nurse reinforces the importance of splinting and coughing to prevent complications. Which postoperative complication is this patient MOST at risk for?
Urinary retention
Pneumonia and atelectasis
Hemorrhage
Thrombophlebitis
During a surgical procedure, the circulating nurse notices that the scrub nurse accidentally drops an instrument near the edge of the sterile field but quickly places it back. The circulating nurse is unsure whether sterility has been breached but hesitates to report it, fearing conflict. The surgeon continues operating without noticing. Which nursing action is MOST appropriate?
Continue the procedure since the instrument touched the sterile field.
Immediately report the break in aseptic technique and request a sterile replacement.
Ignore the incident to avoid disrupting the operation.
Wait until after the procedure to document the event.
A patient who underwent thyroidectomy suddenly develops difficulty breathing, stridor, and restlessness in the PACU. The nurse suspects airway obstruction due to postoperative complications. The surgeon is paged, and emergency interventions are initiated. Which is the nurse's FIRST priority action?
Administer pain medication
Maintain a patent airway and provide oxygen
Reassure the patient and encourage relaxation
Place the patient on NPO status
A 72-year-old woman is scheduled for exploratory laparotomy. The nurse prepares her bowel using prescribed laxatives and instructs her on skin cleansing. The patient asks why these steps are necessary when the surgeon will be opening her abdomen anyway. The nurse explains that bowel preparation reduces the risk of trauma to intestines, while skin prep decreases microorganisms without causing injury. Which statement BEST summarizes the rationale?
These preparations decrease the chance of infection and intraoperative injury.
They are routine steps and not necessary for your safety.
We do this only for abdominal surgeries.
They are required only when the surgeon requests.
A 59-year-old obese man is recovering from abdominal surgery. On the fourth postoperative day, he suddenly reports feeling a 'pop' at the incision site, followed by drainage and visible separation of the wound edges. The nurse observes protruding bowel loops. The patient is anxious and in pain. What is the IMMEDIATE nursing action?
Apply sterile saline-soaked dressings and notify the surgeon
Reinsert sutures immediately at bedside
Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
Place the patient in high Fowler's position
Which type of surgery is performed to relieve symptoms but not cure the disease?
Diagnostic
Palliative
Reconstructive
Curative
Which of the following surgeries is considered major?
Wisdom tooth extraction
Breast augmentation
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Phacoemulsification
Which classification refers to surgery that may be delayed for weeks or months without severe consequences?
Urgent
Required
Elective
Optional
Which member of the surgical team is responsible for managing the operating room and patient safety?
Scrub nurse
Circulating nurse
RN First Assistant
Anesthesiologist
In surgical asepsis, which area of the gown is considered sterile?
Entire gown front and back
From waist down
Front from chest to level of sterile field
Sleeves only
A patient undergoing spinal anesthesia should be monitored for which complication?
Respiratory depression
Nerve block below the diaphragm
Hypertension and tachycardia
Seizure activity
The nurse teaches the patient that fasting before surgery is important primarily to prevent:
Hypoglycemia
Aspiration
Hemorrhage
Dehydration
Which postoperative complication is MOST associated with prolonged immobility?
Atelectasis
Thrombophlebitis
Hemorrhage
Evisceration
Which of the following is the BEST example of a required surgery?
Appendectomy for ruptured appendix
Repair of a scar for cosmetic reasons
Thyroidectomy for goiter
Liposuction
The 'patient's advocate' role in the surgical team is primarily fulfilled by the:
Surgeon
Circulating nurse
Anesthesiologist
RN First Assistant
What is the main purpose of incentive spirometry postoperatively?
Prevent atelectasis by promoting lung expansion
Relieve pain from abdominal incision
Monitor oxygen saturation levels
Reduce cardiovascular complications
Which of the following is the MOST serious complication of abdominal surgery?
Paralytic ileus
Pneumonia
Hemorrhage
Urinary retention
In the event of evisceration, the nurse should position the patient:
Supine with knees bent
High Fowler's
Prone
Side-lying
Which is the MOST accurate description of general anesthesia?
Complete loss of consciousness and sensation requiring airway support
Partial loss of sensation in a specific body part with preserved consciousness
Reversible nerve block in one limb only
Sedation with preserved reflexes and spontaneous breathing
