ATI LPN
NCLEX Practice Questions on Perioperative Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 76-year-old patient is having a bilateral cataract removal. What is the correct classification for this surgery?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bilateral cataract removal is classified as elective surgery because it is scheduled in advance to improve vision, not driven by immediate necessity. Major surgery reflects complexity, not timing or purpose, and cataracts are outpatient procedures. Cosmetic surgery enhances appearance, not function, unlike cataracts, which restore sight. Emergent surgery addresses acute threats, inapplicable here. The rationale centers on elective surgery's definition: it's planned, patient-driven, and non-urgent, allowing preparation time. For a 76-year-old, it enhances quality of life by addressing age-related vision loss, distinguishing it from urgent or emergent categories. Nursing focuses on preoperative education and safety, supporting the elective nature.
Question 2 of 5
The surgical team understands that time is crucial in recognizing and treating an MH crisis. Once recognized, what is the treatment of choice?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is the treatment of choice for an MH crisis, reversing muscle hypermetabolism. Danazol , phenytoin , and diazepam treat other conditions. The rationale focuses on mechanism: dantrolene inhibits calcium release in muscles, halting MH's cascade (tachycardia, rigidity, fever). Administered IV rapidly, it's stocked on MH carts, reflecting nursing's role in preparedness and delivery, critical for survival in this time-sensitive emergency, distinct from unrelated medications.
Question 3 of 5
The patient is scheduled to have minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Part of this surgery is the injection of air (insufflation) into the abdomen to separate and better see the organs. What patient teaching must the nurse do about the insufflation?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse teaches about abdominal discomfort from insufflation , a common MIS effect. Incisions and discharge are unrelated; drainage tubes aren't typical. The rationale addresses physiology: CO2 insufflation lifts organs but may cause referred pain (e.g., shoulder) post-op. Nursing prepares patients for this, reducing anxiety and promoting recovery, specific to MIS, distinct from procedural or discharge details.
Question 4 of 5
A patient cared for in the PACU has had a colostomy placed for treatment of Crohn's disease. The nurse assesses that an abdominal dressing is 25% saturated with serosanguineous drainage and notes that the incision is intact. An IV is infusing with D5/lactated Ringer's at 100 mL/hr through a 20g peripheral IV access. Auscultation of abdomen reveals hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants, abdomen soft, and no distention. Foley catheter is in place and draining yellow urine with sediment, 375 mL output in Foley bag. Which body systems have been assessed by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessed systems include gastrointestinal (choice B, bowel sounds, dressing), renal/urinary (choice A, Foley), and integumentary (choice E, incision). Respiratory and musculoskeletal aren't noted. The rationale links findings: hypoactive bowels and drainage assess GI/colostomy status; urine output checks kidneys; incision monitors skin. Nursing evaluates post-colostomy function and healing, distinct from unassessed systems.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse on the medical-surgical unit is caring for a postoperative patient. Which assessment criteria indicate to the nurse that the patient is experiencing respiratory difficulty? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory difficulty signs include accessory muscle use , crowing sounds , and elevated respiratory rate (choice E, not listed). SpO2 94% is mild; BP drop is unrelated. The rationale identifies distress: accessory muscles and stridor signal effort or obstruction; rate increase reflects compensation. Nursing intervenes (e.g., oxygen), distinguishing from normal variations, ensuring airway management.