Diagnostic Procedures: Patient Prep & Recovery Quiz

1. A patient asks why they must remove all metal before an MRI. Which explanation is most accurate?

Metal conducts electricity and can cause burns

Metal interferes with magnetic fields and image quality

Metal is always radioactive

It is purely a hospital safety preference

2. Informed consent for a diagnostic procedure must include which element?

Physician's name and credentials only

Risks, benefits, alternatives, and right to refuse

Cost of procedure exclusively

Hospital liability statement only

3. Before discharge post-procedure, the nurse teaches about signs requiring immediate medical attention. Which is most critical?

Mild bruising at puncture site

Chest pain, shortness of breath, or bleeding

Appetite decrease for 1 day

Mild fatigue lasting 2 days

4. A patient undergoing cardiac catheterization has a documented shellfish allergy. Why is this significant?

Shellfish allergies are unrelated to contrast media

Contrast media contains iodine, cross-reactive with shellfish

Shellfish allergies contraindicate all procedures

It only matters if the patient has asthma

5. Which assessment finding immediately post-procedure indicates a complication requiring notification of the physician?

Mild drowsiness from sedation

Severe hypotension and altered mental status

Normal heart rate and stable blood pressure

Patient asking for water to drink

6. After a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), when can a patient resume oral intake?

Immediately after procedure

When gag reflex returns and throat numbing resolves

After 8 hours of observation

Never, only NPO diet allowed

7. A patient on warfarin is scheduled for a colonoscopy with biopsy. What is the priority nursing action?

Hold warfarin without physician consultation

Report warfarin use to the physician before procedure

Increase warfarin dose to prevent clotting

Administer vitamin K immediately

8. When preparing a patient for a bone marrow biopsy, the nurse should explain which expected sensation?

Sharp cutting pain throughout the procedure

Pressure and brief discomfort during aspiration

No sensation due to anesthesia

Intense burning pain that lasts for hours

9. Which patient would be CONTRAINDICATED for a stress echocardiogram?

Patient with stable angina and normal EKG

Patient with acute myocardial infarction

Patient with hypertension on medication

Patient with mild dyspnea on exertion

10. Post-biopsy, a patient develops bleeding at the site. What is the nurse's immediate action?

Apply direct pressure with sterile gauze

Elevate the limb above heart level only

Apply heat to the area

Notify the patient the bleeding is normal

11. What is the primary nursing responsibility before a diagnostic procedure requiring contrast media?

Assess renal function and allergies

Ensure NPO status only

Administer sedatives immediately

Start an IV line without consent

12. Before a CT scan with IV contrast, which medication history is most critical to report?

Daily aspirin use

Metformin use in renal impairment

Occasional antacid use

Weekly vitamin supplementation

13. A patient receiving conscious sedation during a colonoscopy suddenly becomes unresponsive. What is the nurse's first action?

Administer naloxone

Check airway patency and oxygen saturation

Call for immediate discharge

Increase sedation dosage

14. After a lumbar puncture, the most important nursing intervention is to keep the patient in which position?

Semi-Fowler's for 2 hours

Supine or prone for 4–6 hours

High Fowler's immediately

Trendelenburg for 1 hour

15. NPO (nothing by mouth) status before an upper endoscopy is typically how many hours?

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours

8 hours

16. A patient undergoing an MRI asks if they can wear their pacemaker. What is the correct response?

Yes, it is always safe

No, it is a contraindication unless approved

Only if the pacemaker is older than 5 years

Yes, but only for 15 minutes maximum

17. Post-procedure, a patient who had a femoral angiogram should be monitored for which complication?

Hematoma formation at the puncture site

Hypoglycemia

Hyperventilation

Allergic reaction to oxygen

18. Which finding would require the nurse to notify the physician before an endoscopy?

Patient ate a light breakfast 6 hours ago

Blood pressure is 118/76 mmHg

Patient reports active chest pain

Patient has normal body temperature

19. A patient scheduled for a cardiac catheterization asks why they need to sign an informed consent. Which response is most appropriate?

It's hospital policy and required by law

It documents your understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives

It protects only the physician from liability

It means the procedure is experimental

Diagnostic Quiz: Can You Prep and Recover the Patient?