Free Perioperative Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Perioperative Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers preoperative assessment, informed consent, surgical preparation, anaesthesia, intraoperative safety and postoperative recovery. It includes sterile technique, surgical positioning, wound and drain care, pain and nausea management, fluid balance, prevention of infection and recognition of complications such as haemorrhage, atelectasis and shock.
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50 questions · page 1 of 3
- A. Explain the surgical procedure and its possible complications
- B. Witness the signature after checking that consent is voluntary
- C. Tell the patient that signing guarantees a successful result
- D. Ask a relative to sign when the patient feels anxious
Explanation: The nurse may witness the patient's voluntary signature and confirm that the patient appears to understand and has had the opportunity to…
Correct answer: Witness the signature after checking that consent is voluntary- A. The patient reports mild anxiety about surgery
- B. The patient has removed jewellery and nail polish
- C. The patient has a temperature of 38.5°C
- D. The patient has completed the prescribed skin preparation
Explanation: A fever may indicate an active infection and can affect whether elective surgery should proceed.
Correct answer: The patient has a temperature of 38.5°C- A. Mark the site using the patient's written notes
- B. Ask the patient to state the procedure and operative site
- C. Confirm the site only after anaesthesia has been induced
- D. Rely on the operating room schedule without questioning it
Explanation: Having the awake patient state the planned procedure and site provides an active identity and site verification before anaesthesia.
Correct answer: Ask the patient to state the procedure and operative site- A. Continue because the glove still looks clean
- B. Wipe the glove with antiseptic solution
- C. Replace the contaminated glove using sterile technique
- D. Cover the glove with a second sterile glove
Explanation: The bedrail is not sterile, so the glove is contaminated even if no dirt is visible.
Correct answer: Replace the contaminated glove using sterile technique- A. Raise both legs separately at different times
- B. Place the arms tightly beside the patient's body
- C. Support the legs and raise and lower them together
- D. Allow the knees to remain sharply flexed throughout surgery
Explanation: The legs should be supported and moved together to prevent hip, nerve and lower-back injury and sudden changes in circulation.
Correct answer: Support the legs and raise and lower them together- A. Give the prescribed opioid for incisional pain
- B. Assess breathing and reposition the airway
- C. Offer oral fluids to reduce throat dryness
- D. Inspect the surgical dressing for drainage
Explanation: Snoring after anaesthesia may indicate partial upper-airway obstruction, so airway and breathing take priority over pain, fluids and wound…
Correct answer: Assess breathing and reposition the airway- A. Reinforce the dressing and reassess in one hour
- B. Place the patient in a high sitting position
- C. Notify the surgical team and support circulation
- D. Give oral water and encourage deep breathing
Explanation: Rapid bleeding with tachycardia and falling blood pressure suggests postoperative haemorrhage and possible hypovolaemic shock.
Correct answer: Notify the surgical team and support circulation- A. Keep the patient flat and limit movement
- B. Encourage deep breathing, coughing and early mobilisation
- C. Withhold analgesia until the patient can cough strongly
- D. Apply a tight abdominal binder without further instruction
Explanation: Deep breathing, supported coughing, adequate analgesia and early mobilisation help expand the lungs and clear secretions.
Correct answer: Encourage deep breathing, coughing and early mobilisation- A. That is safe if the prescribed dose is small
- B. Only the patient should press the button
- C. The spouse should press it every four hours
- D. The nurse should disable the dose-limit setting
Explanation: Only the patient should activate patient-controlled analgesia because sedation is an important safety limit.
Correct answer: Only the patient should press the button- A. Give a large glass of water immediately
- B. Place the patient flat and leave the room
- C. Position the patient safely and assess the airway
- D. Encourage the patient to walk to relieve nausea
Explanation: Reduced alertness and nausea increase the risk of vomiting and aspiration, so airway protection and safe positioning are the priority.
Correct answer: Position the patient safely and assess the airway- A. Continue preparation because the surgery is elective
- B. Notify the anaesthesia and surgical team promptly
- C. Give an antacid and send the patient to theatre
- D. Ask the patient to drink extra water before transfer
Explanation: Recent food intake increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during anaesthesia.
Correct answer: Notify the anaesthesia and surgical team promptly- A. The patient's preferred sleeping position
- B. The patient's baseline level of consciousness
- C. The patient's usual time of daily exercise
- D. The patient's preferred postoperative meal
Explanation: A baseline level of consciousness allows the nurse to recognise excessive sedation or neurological deterioration after the drug.
Correct answer: The patient's baseline level of consciousness- A. Use latex-free equipment and clearly alert the theatre team
- B. Apply powdered latex gloves to reduce skin contact
- C. Give an antibiotic before checking the equipment
- D. Place the patient in the recovery area after surgery
Explanation: Latex-free supplies and clear communication reduce the risk of an allergic reaction during surgery.
Correct answer: Use latex-free equipment and clearly alert the theatre team14. During an operation using electrosurgery, which action helps reduce the risk of an electrical burn?
- A. Place the dispersive pad over a bony prominence
- B. Apply the dispersive pad to clean, dry, intact muscle
- C. Cover the dispersive pad with a thick sterile towel
- D. Place the dispersive pad over a metal prosthesis
Explanation: The dispersive pad should have broad contact with clean, dry, intact muscle to safely return current.
Correct answer: Apply the dispersive pad to clean, dry, intact muscle- A. Close the wound and document the missing sponge
- B. Ask the patient to identify where the sponge is
- C. Repeat the count and immediately inform the surgeon
- D. Leave the operating room to search the recovery area
Explanation: A missing sponge may have been retained in the surgical wound, so the count must be repeated and the surgeon informed immediately.
Correct answer: Repeat the count and immediately inform the surgeon- A. Intravenous dantrolene administration
- B. Oral paracetamol administration
- C. Subcutaneous insulin administration
- D. Intramuscular promethazine administration
Explanation: Rigidity, hyperthermia and tachycardia during anaesthesia suggest malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening emergency treated with…
Correct answer: Intravenous dantrolene administration- A. The bulb remains fully expanded after emptying
- B. The drain tubing is clamped throughout the shift
- C. The bulb is compressed and produces a small amount of drainage
- D. The drainage is poured back into the collection bulb
Explanation: A compressed bulb creates gentle suction and allows drainage to collect from the wound.
Correct answer: The bulb is compressed and produces a small amount of drainage- A. Document the output as expected after surgery
- B. Assess the patient and notify the responsible clinician
- C. Remove the urinary catheter without assessment
- D. Restrict oral fluids until the output increases
Explanation: Persistent urine output below about 30 mL per hour may indicate inadequate circulating volume or reduced renal perfusion.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and notify the responsible clinician- A. Mild bruising near the incision
- B. Small amount of clear drainage on the dressing
- C. Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage
- D. Mild discomfort during the first dressing change
Explanation: Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage are local signs of infection and require prompt assessment.
Correct answer: Increasing redness, warmth and purulent drainage- A. Keeping both legs still under heavy blankets
- B. Encouraging leg exercises and early assisted ambulation
- C. Placing a pillow directly behind both knees continuously
- D. Maintaining strict bed rest until discharge
Explanation: Ankle pumps, leg exercises and early assisted ambulation promote venous return and reduce venous stasis.
Correct answer: Encouraging leg exercises and early assisted ambulationPerioperative Nursing MCQs: common questions
Are these Perioperative Nursing MCQs free?
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There are 50 Perioperative Nursing MCQs in the Medical Surgical Nursing bank, shown ten to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
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Yes. Each Perioperative Nursing question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
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