Perioperative Quiz: Can You Prep And Recover Safely?

1. A patient 4 hours postop has urinary output of 80 mL in 4 hours. What is the most appropriate action?

This is normal; continue monitoring

Notify the surgeon; output may indicate hypovolemia

Catheterize the bladder immediately

Restrict fluids

2. True or False: Preoperative anxiety has no clinical significance and does not affect surgical outcomes.

True

False

3. A postoperative patient's dressing becomes saturated with bright red blood 3 hours after surgery. What should you do first?

Wait and recheck in 1 hour

Reinforce the dressing and notify the surgeon

Remove the dressing to assess the wound

Increase the IV infusion rate

4. Which medication is contraindicated in the preoperative period for a patient on chronic aspirin therapy?

Acetaminophen

Ibuprofen

Continuing aspirin without guidance

Morphine

5. A preoperative patient with a history of smoking asks if they should stop before surgery. What is the best response?

Smoking will not affect the outcome

Stopping now reduces respiratory complications significantly

Stop only on the day of surgery

Continue smoking to reduce anxiety

6. In the postoperative period, malignant hyperthermia is characterized by a rapid rise in core temperature. What is the immediate first action?

Apply cooling measures and notify the surgeon

Administer acetaminophen

Check for infection

Increase IV fluids

7. A patient reports nausea and vomiting 6 hours postop. What is the first nursing intervention?

Administer antiemetic and keep NPO

Position supine immediately

Offer ice chips to drink

Contact the surgeon for discharge orders

8. Which sign indicates normal wound healing in the first 24–48 hours postoperatively?

Purulent drainage

Separation of wound edges

Slight serous drainage and mild erythema

Necrotic tissue at the incision

9. A postoperative patient develops stridor and difficulty breathing 2 hours after extubation. What is the likely cause?

Laryngeal edema

Aspiration pneumonia

Pulmonary embolism

Sepsis

10. True or False: Postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is most effective when started after surgery.

True

False

11. Which preoperative assessment finding requires immediate physician notification before surgery?

Blood pressure 145/92 mmHg

Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min

Untreated active infection

Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL

12. Which postoperative patient position best prevents aspiration if the patient is not fully alert?

Supine with head elevated 45 degrees

Side-lying with head of bed elevated

Prone

Trendelenburg

13. A postoperative patient complains of severe pain unrelieved by analgesics. What complication should you suspect first?

Normal postoperative pain

Compartment syndrome or bleeding

Anxiety

Inadequate anesthesia reversal

14. In the immediate postoperative period, what is the primary reason for frequent vital sign assessment?

To document for legal purposes

To detect anesthesia complications and shock

To prepare discharge paperwork

To establish baseline for the next shift

15. A patient arrives in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. What is the priority intervention?

Apply oxygen and prepare to assist ventilation

Monitor closely for 10 minutes

Administer naloxone per protocol

Reposition the patient supine

16. Which intraoperative monitoring parameter is most critical for detecting early hypovolemia?

Core body temperature

Urine output and blood pressure

Oxygen saturation alone

Heart rate only

17. A patient's preoperative lab work shows a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take?

Proceed with surgery as scheduled

Notify the surgeon; hypokalemia increases arrhythmia risk

Administer potassium orally immediately

Request a recheck in 2 hours

18. What is the correct timing for preoperative medication administration (premedication)?

30 minutes before anesthesia induction

60–90 minutes before anesthesia induction

Immediately upon arrival at the OR

After the patient is positioned on the surgical table

19. During preoperative teaching, which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding of leg exercises?

I'll keep my legs immobile to prevent bleeding

I'll do ankle pumps and knee bends to prevent blood clots

I'll walk only after I'm fully awake

I'll perform exercises once daily in the morning

20. A patient scheduled for surgery has not taken NPO status seriously. What is the primary nursing concern?

Dehydration

Aspiration risk during anesthesia

Electrolyte imbalance

Delayed wound healing

Perioperative Quiz: Can You Prep and Recover Safely?