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 2 of 3
- A. Administer the usual dose with a sip of water
- B. Notify the surgical team about the medication
- C. Ask the patient to stop it without further advice
- D. Give vitamin K routinely before the operation
Explanation: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so the surgical team must review the medicine and coagulation results before surgery.
Correct answer: Notify the surgical team about the medication- A. Use a razor the night before surgery
- B. Use scissors several hours before surgery
- C. Use electric clippers shortly before surgery
- D. Apply a depilatory cream without checking the skin
Explanation: Electric clippers remove hair while causing less skin trauma than a razor.
Correct answer: Use electric clippers shortly before surgery- A. Check the return of motor and sensory function
- B. Offer oral fluids to prevent a headache
- C. Encourage walking as soon as sensation returns
- D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler position routinely
Explanation: The nurse monitors the return of motor and sensory function and also observes breathing and blood pressure after spinal anaesthesia.
Correct answer: Check the return of motor and sensory function- A. The field remains sterile if the sleeve is clean
- B. Only the instrument becomes contaminated
- C. The area under the arm is considered contaminated
- D. The field remains sterile if the action takes less than five seconds
Explanation: Reaching over a sterile field may contaminate the field because the front of the gown and the area below the waist are not considered…
Correct answer: The area under the arm is considered contaminated- A. Place pressure directly on the abdomen
- B. Keep the head turned sharply to one side
- C. Protect the eyes and maintain neutral alignment
- D. Allow the arms to hang freely from the table
Explanation: The eyes must be protected and the head, neck and spine kept in neutral alignment to reduce nerve, airway and eye injury.
Correct answer: Protect the eyes and maintain neutral alignment- A. Push the tissue gently back into the abdomen
- B. Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings
- C. Remove the remaining sutures from the incision
- D. Apply a dry abdominal binder tightly over the wound
Explanation: The exposed tissue is an emergency called wound evisceration. The nurse covers it with sterile saline-moistened dressings, keeps the…
Correct answer: Cover the area with sterile saline-moistened dressings- A. Offer clear fluids by mouth
- B. Assess the airway and breathing immediately
- C. Assist the patient to stand and walk
- D. Give the prescribed oral analgesic first
Explanation: Airway and breathing are assessed first because the ABC principle takes priority in an unstable postoperative patient.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and breathing immediately- A. Keep the reservoir above the wound
- B. Empty the reservoir using clean technique only
- C. Compress the reservoir before replacing the cap
- D. Clamp the drain every hour to measure output
Explanation: Compressing the reservoir before replacing the cap recreates negative pressure and supports drainage.
Correct answer: Compress the reservoir before replacing the cap- A. Administer another dose for the severe pain
- B. Withhold the opioid and assess airway and breathing
- C. Ask the patient to walk to improve alertness
- D. Place a heating pad over the incision
Explanation: A respiratory rate of 8 and reduced consciousness suggest opioid-induced respiratory depression, so airway and breathing take priority.
Correct answer: Withhold the opioid and assess airway and breathing- A. I will take rapid shallow breaths every hour
- B. I will inhale slowly, hold briefly, and exhale
- C. I will avoid coughing until the incision heals
- D. I will lie flat during every breathing exercise
Explanation: Slow deep inhalation followed by a brief hold helps expand the alveoli and prevent atelectasis.
Correct answer: I will inhale slowly, hold briefly, and exhale- A. Clean from the outer area toward the incision
- B. Clean from the incision outward in circles
- C. Scrub the incision repeatedly with dry gauze
- D. Clean the most contaminated area before the incision
Explanation: Skin preparation begins at the incision and moves outward in widening circles to avoid bringing organisms toward the surgical site.
Correct answer: Clean from the incision outward in circles- A. The back from the shoulders to the waist
- B. The front from the chest to the waist
- C. The lower front below the waist
- D. The sleeves behind the elbows
Explanation: The front of the gown is sterile from the chest to the level of the sterile field, and the sleeves are sterile from the cuff to several…
Correct answer: The front from the chest to the waist- A. Place the arm in greater abduction
- B. Reposition the arm below 90 degrees
- C. Apply a tight strap across the elbow
- D. Place the palm downward without support
Explanation: Keeping the arm below 90 degrees reduces stretching and compression of the brachial plexus.
Correct answer: Reposition the arm below 90 degrees- A. Leave it unlabeled until the operation ends
- B. Place it in a container with the correct preservative
- C. Wrap it in a dry towel for transport
- D. Send it without confirming the patient's identity
Explanation: The specimen must be placed in the appropriate container, correctly labeled, and matched with the patient's identity and operative…
Correct answer: Place it in a container with the correct preservative- A. Continue the injection at a slower rate
- B. Stop the injection and alert the anaesthesia provider
- C. Offer oral fluids to reduce the symptoms
- D. Place the patient prone and leave the area
Explanation: Tinnitus, a metallic taste, restlessness and later seizures can indicate local anaesthetic systemic toxicity.
Correct answer: Stop the injection and alert the anaesthesia provider- A. Apply warm blankets and monitor the temperature
- B. Give an extra opioid to suppress the shivering
- C. Expose the patient to cool air for observation
- D. Restrict oxygen until the shivering stops
Explanation: Postoperative hypothermia increases oxygen consumption and may worsen cardiac stress, so gradual active warming and continued monitoring…
Correct answer: Apply warm blankets and monitor the temperature- A. Encourage the patient to drink two litres quickly
- B. Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without an order
- D. Document the finding as an expected response
Explanation: Anaesthesia, opioids and immobility can cause postoperative urinary retention.
Correct answer: Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan- A. Mild incisional tenderness during movement
- B. Increasing distention with vomiting and absent flatus
- C. A small amount of serous drainage on the dressing
- D. Reduced appetite during the first postoperative meal
Explanation: Progressive distention, vomiting and failure to pass flatus suggest postoperative ileus or another bowel complication and require prompt…
Correct answer: Increasing distention with vomiting and absent flatus- A. Place the patient side lying and clear the airway
- B. Give oral water to remove the taste of vomit
- C. Keep the patient flat and wait for recovery
- D. Administer an antiemetic before checking breathing
Explanation: A drowsy patient has a reduced protective cough and is at risk of aspiration.
Correct answer: Place the patient side lying and clear the airway- A. Keep the dressing moist with tap water
- B. Use aseptic technique when changing the dressing
- C. Apply antibiotic powder to every incision
- D. Remove the dressing repeatedly to inspect the wound
Explanation: Aseptic technique reduces transfer of microorganisms to the incision and supports normal healing.
Correct answer: Use aseptic technique when changing the dressing