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 3 of 3
- A. Acrylic nail polish only
- B. A removable dental plate
- C. A hospital identification band
- D. A compression stocking
Explanation: A removable dental plate can obstruct the airway or become displaced during anaesthesia, so it is removed and safely stored.
Correct answer: A removable dental plate- A. Keep the hands below the elbows
- B. Allow water to flow from elbows to fingers
- C. Keep the hands above the elbows
- D. Dry the hands from elbows toward fingers
Explanation: Keeping the hands above the elbows allows contaminated water to flow away from the clean hands.
Correct answer: Keep the hands above the elbows- A. After the incision is closed
- B. Before the surgical incision
- C. When the patient reaches the ward
- D. Only if a fever develops
Explanation: The antibiotic should be given before incision so adequate tissue levels are present when contamination can occur.
Correct answer: Before the surgical incision- A. Temporary numbness in the blocked arm
- B. Mild weakness of the blocked arm
- C. Difficulty breathing after the block
- D. Warm skin at the injection site
Explanation: Difficulty breathing may indicate respiratory muscle involvement or another serious complication of the regional block, making breathing…
Correct answer: Difficulty breathing after the block- A. Increase oxygen flow around the face
- B. Keep alcohol preparation wet
- C. Allow the antiseptic to dry fully
- D. Cover the ignition source with gauze
Explanation: Alcohol-based skin preparations must dry completely before electrosurgical equipment is used because wet solution can ignite.
Correct answer: Allow the antiseptic to dry fully- A. Clamp the catheter for one hour
- B. Straighten the tubing and check drainage
- C. Disconnect the bag and irrigate routinely
- D. Raise the drainage bag above the bladder
Explanation: The tubing should be free of kinks and positioned below bladder level to allow dependent drainage.
Correct answer: Straighten the tubing and check drainage- A. Massage the painful calf gently
- B. Encourage vigorous walking
- C. Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider
- D. Apply a tight elastic bandage immediately
Explanation: Unilateral calf pain, warmth and swelling suggest possible deep vein thrombosis.
Correct answer: Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider- A. Increase the infusion rate
- B. Place the patient flat in bed
- C. Stop or slow the infusion as prescribed and assess breathing
- D. Offer extra oral fluids
Explanation: The findings suggest fluid overload with impaired breathing, so the nurse should address breathing and prevent further fluid…
Correct answer: Stop or slow the infusion as prescribed and assess breathing- A. It confirms that the patient can eat normally
- B. It helps identify bleeding or fluid loss
- C. It proves that the incision is already healed
- D. It prevents every wound infection
Explanation: Drain amount, colour and character help identify bleeding, leakage or changing postoperative fluid loss.
Correct answer: It helps identify bleeding or fluid loss- A. I will remove the dressing whenever it feels warm
- B. I will report spreading redness or pus from the wound
- C. I will apply antibiotic cream without an order
- D. I will soak the incision until the scab softens
Explanation: Spreading redness, purulent drainage or worsening pain may indicate infection and should be reported.
Correct answer: I will report spreading redness or pus from the wound