Surgical Nursing Multiple Choice Questions and Answers

1. What is the primary goal of surgical nursing?
   1. 1. 1. To prevent complications during surgery
         2. To promote postoperative recovery
         3. To assist the surgeon during the procedure
         4. All of the above

      Answer: D) All of the above

      2. What is the most common type of anesthesia used during surgery?
         1. General anesthesia
         2. Regional anesthesia
         3. Local anesthesia
         4. Conscious sedation

      Answer: A) General anesthesia

      3. Which of the following is not a typical sign of infection after surgery?
         1. Pain
         2. Redness
         3. Swelling
         4. Normal wound healing

      Answer: D) Normal wound healing

       

      4. What is the purpose of surgical hand hygiene?
         1. To prevent the spread of infection
         2. To promote patient comfort
         3. To improve surgical outcomes
         4. To reduce healthcare costs

      Answer: A) To prevent the spread of infection

       

      5. What is the most common complication of surgical procedures?
         1. Infection
         2. Hemorrhage
         3. Anesthesia-related complications
         4. Wound dehiscence

      Answer: A) Infection

       

      6. What is the primary reason for preoperative patient education?
         1. To reduce anxiety
         2. To promote compliance with postoperative instructions
         3. To improve surgical outcomes
         4. All of the above

      Answer: D) All of the above

       

      7. What is the best way to prevent surgical site infections?
         1. Proper surgical hand hygiene
         2. Prophylactic antibiotic administration
         3. Sterile technique
         4. All of the above

      Answer: D) All of the above

       

      8. Which of the following is not a typical postoperative complication?
         1. Deep vein thrombosis
         2. Hypotension
         3. Nausea and vomiting
         4. Increased appetite

      Answer: D) Increased appetite

      9. Which of the following is NOT a surgical wound classification?
         1. Clean
         2. Clean-contaminated
         3. Contaminated
         4. Unclean

      Answer: d. Unclean

       

      10. What is the most important factor in preventing surgical site infections?
          1. Proper hand hygiene
          2. Proper antibiotic prophylaxis
          3. Proper surgical technique
          4. Proper wound care

      Answer: c. Proper surgical technique

       

      11. What type of anesthesia involves the injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area being operated on?
          1. General anesthesia
          2. Regional anesthesia
          3. Spinal anesthesia
          4. Local anesthesia

      Answer: d. Local anesthesia

       

      12. Which of the following is NOT a sign of postoperative respiratory distress?
          1. Tachycardia
          2. Tachypnea
          3. Hypoxemia
          4. Bradycardia

      Answer: d. Bradycardia

       

      13. Which of the following is NOT a potential complication of abdominal surgery?
          1. Bowel obstruction
          2. Incisional hernia
          3. Pulmonary embolism
          4. Hemorrhage

      Answer: c. Pulmonary embolism

       

      14. Which of the following is NOT a type of surgical drain?
          1. Penrose drain
          2. Jackson-Pratt drain
          3. Hemovac drain
          4. VAC (vacuum-assisted closure) drain

      Answer: d. VAC (vacuum-assisted closure) drain

       

      15. Which of the following is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus?
          1. Hysterectomy
          2. Oophorectomy
          3. Salpingectomy
          4. Myomectomy

      Answer: a. Hysterectomy

       

      16. Which of the following is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both ovaries?
          1. Hysterectomy
          2. Oophorectomy
          3. Salpingectomy
          4. Myomectomy

      Answer: b. Oophorectomy

       

      17. Which of the following is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both fallopian tubes?
          1. Hysterectomy
          2. Oophorectomy
          3. Salpingectomy
          4. Myomectomy

      Answer: c. Salpingectomy

       

      18. Which of the following surgical wounds is most likely to be contaminated?
          1. Clean wound
          2. Clean-contaminated wound
          3. Contaminated wound
          4. Infected wound

      Answer: c) Contaminated wound

       

      19. The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a colon resection. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform to prevent postoperative complications?
          1. Administering antihypertensive medication
          2. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing exercises
          3. Administering high doses of opioids for pain relief
          4. Keeping the patient in a supine position

      Answer: b) Encouraging coughing and deep breathing exercises

       

      20. What type of surgical incision is made when a patient undergoes an open cholecystectomy?
          1. Midline incision
          2. Pfannenstiel incision
          3. Transverse incision
          4. Chevron incision

      Answer: a) Midline incision

       

      21. Which of the following medications is commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis after surgery?
          1. Warfarin
          2. Aspirin
          3. Heparin
          4. Dipyridamole

      Answer: c) Heparin

       

      22. What is the most important factor in preventing surgical site infections?
          1. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
          2. Sterilization of surgical instruments
          3. Proper surgical technique
          4. Postoperative wound care

      Answer: c) Proper surgical technique

       

      23. Which of the following is a common postoperative complication in patients who have undergone abdominal surgery?
          1. Hypoglycemia
          2. Hypertension
          3. Ileus
          4. Bradycardia

      Answer: c) Ileus

       

      24. Which of the following is not an essential element of informed consent?
          1. Disclosure
          2. Understanding
          3. Voluntariness
          4. Authorization

      Answer: D

       

      25. Which of the following is not a surgical risk factor?
          1. Age
          2. Weight
          3. Gender
          4. Smoking

      Answer: C

       

      26. What is the most common type of surgical incision?
          1. Transverse
          2. Midline
          3. Paramedian
          4. Oblique

      Answer: B

       

      27. Which of the following is not a type of anesthesia?
          1. General
          2. Local
          3. Regional
          4. Intravenous

      Answer: D

       

      28. Which of the following is not a sign of postoperative infection?
          1. Fever
          2. Redness
          3. Swelling
          4. Nausea

      Answer: D

       

      29. Which of the following is not a surgical complication?
          1. Hemorrhage
          2. Infection
          3. Deep vein thrombosis
          4. Hypertension

      Answer: D

       

      30. Which of the following is not a type of surgical wound?
          1. Clean
          2. Clean-contaminated
          3. Contaminated
          4. Dirty

      Answer: D

       

      31. Which of the following is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the stomach?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Cholecystectomy
          3. Gastrectomy
          4. Thyroidectomy

      Answer: c) Gastrectomy

       

      32. Which of the following is an important nursing intervention for a patient undergoing surgery?
          1. Administering pain medication as needed
          2. Keeping the patient on bed rest for an extended period
          3. Restricting fluid intake after surgery
          4. Limiting the patient’s physical activity after surgery

      Answer: a) Administering pain medication as needed

       

      33. Which of the following surgical procedures involves the removal of the gallbladder?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Cholecystectomy
          3. Gastrectomy
          4. Thyroidectomy

      Answer: b) Cholecystectomy

       

      34. What is a common postoperative complication in surgical patients?
          1. Hypotension
          2. Hyperglycemia
          3. Hypothermia
          4. Hypertension

      Answer: c) Hypothermia

       

      35. What is the purpose of preoperative teaching for surgical patients?
          1. To reduce anxiety and increase patient satisfaction
          2. To prepare the patient for a longer hospital stay
          3. To restrict the patient’s activities after surgery
          4. To decrease the need for postoperative pain medication

      Answer: a) To reduce anxiety and increase patient satisfaction

       

      36. Which of the following is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the appendix?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Cholecystectomy
          3. Gastrectomy
          4. Thyroidectomy

      Answer: a) Appendectomy

       

      37. What is an important nursing consideration when caring for a patient with a surgical incision?
          1. Keeping the incision dry at all times
          2. Changing the dressing once a week
          3. Avoiding contact with the incision site
          4. Assessing the incision for signs of infection

      Answer: d) Assessing the incision for signs of infection

       

      38. Which of the following surgical procedures involves the removal of the thyroid gland?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Cholecystectomy
          3. Gastrectomy
          4. Thyroidectomy

      Answer: d) Thyroidectomy

       

      39. Which of the following is a common complication of surgery?
          1. Hypernatremia
          2. Hypokalemia
          3. Hypoglycemia
          4. Hyperglycemia

      Answer: d) Hyperglycemia

       

      40. Which of the following is not a risk factor for surgical site infections?
          1. Diabetes
          2. Hypertension
          3. Smoking
          4. Obesity

      Answer: b) Hypertension

       

      41. Which of the following surgical procedures requires the use of a sterile gown and gloves?
          1. Closed reduction of a fracture
          2. Insertion of a peripheral intravenous catheter
          3. Insertion of a Foley catheter
          4. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

      Answer: d) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

       

      42. What is the primary goal of preoperative teaching?
          1. To decrease the patient’s anxiety
          2. To provide information about the procedure and postoperative care
          3. To obtain informed consent
          4. To promote patient satisfaction

      Answer: b) To provide information about the procedure and postoperative care

       

      43. What is the most common postoperative complication?
          1. Infection
          2. Hemorrhage
          3. Shock
          4. Anesthesia complications

      Answer: a) Infection

       

      44. Which of the following is not a common surgical complication?
          1. Infection
          2. Bleeding
          3. Dehydration
          4. Thrombosis

      Answer: c. Dehydration

       

      45. What is the most common type of anesthesia used during surgery?
          1. General anesthesia
          2. Regional anesthesia
          3. Local anesthesia
          4. Conscious sedation

      Answer: a. General anesthesia

       

      46. What is the purpose of a surgical scrub?
          1. To remove dirt and debris from the skin
          2. To kill bacteria on the skin
          3. To soften the skin before surgery
          4. To remove hair from the surgical site

      Answer: b. To kill bacteria on the skin

       

      47. Which of the following is not a type of surgical incision?
          1. Transverse
          2. Longitudinal
          3. Diagonal
          4. Oblique

      Answer: c. Diagonal

       

      48. What is the purpose of a surgical drain?
          1. To prevent infection
          2. To remove excess fluid or blood from the surgical site
          3. To provide additional oxygen to the surgical site
          4. To stabilize the surgical site

      Answer: b. To remove excess fluid or blood from the surgical site

       

      49. Which of the following is not a potential complication of surgery?
          1. Hypotension
          2. Hypertension
          3. Shock
          4. Hyperglycemia

      Answer: b. Hypertension

       

      50. What is the purpose of a surgical dressing?
          1. To prevent infection
          2. To control bleeding
          3. To provide additional support to the surgical site
          4. To keep the surgical site clean and dry

      Answer: d. To keep the surgical site clean and dry

       

      51. What is the term for the process of surgically opening a vein or artery for medical treatment or testing?
          1. Venipuncture
          2. Arteriotomy
          3. Phlebotomy
          4. Cannulation

      Answer: B. Arteriotomy

       

      52. Which of the following is an appropriate action when caring for a patient with a surgical wound?
          1. Clean the wound with alcohol before redressing it
          2. Clean the wound with sterile saline before redressing it
          3. Allow the wound to air dry before redressing it
          4. Apply an antibiotic ointment directly to the wound

      Answer: B. Clean the wound with sterile saline before redressing it

       

      53. Which of the following is a sign of a surgical site infection?
          1. Swelling and redness around the wound
          2. Increase in wound drainage
          3. Warmth and tenderness around the wound
          4. All of the above

      Answer: D. All of the above

       

      54. Which of the following surgical instruments is used to hold back tissue during a surgical procedure?
          1. Scalpel
          2. Hemostat
          3. Retractor
          4. Forceps

      Answer: C. Retractor

       

      55. What is the term for the process of surgically removing a kidney?
          1. Nephrectomy
          2. Hemicolectomy
          3. Mastectomy
          4. Hysterectomy

      Answer: A. Nephrectomy

       

      56. Which of the following is a surgical asepsis technique?
          1. Handwashing
          2. Hand sanitization
          3. Wearing gloves
          4. Wearing a mask

      Answer: c

       

      57. What is the name of the surgical procedure to remove a gallbladder?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Cholecystectomy
          3. Nephrectomy
          4. Hysterectomy

      Answer: b

       

      58. Which of the following is a potential complication of surgery?
          1. Infection
          2. Excessive bleeding
          3. Blood clots
          4. All of the above

      Answer: d

       

      59. What is the purpose of surgical drapes?
          1. To provide warmth to the patient
          2. To protect the surgical site from contamination
          3. To provide comfort to the patient
          4. To cover the patient’s face during surgery

      Answer: b

       

      60. What is the name of the surgical procedure to repair a hernia?
          1. Herniorrhaphy
          2. Hysterectomy
          3. Gastrectomy
          4. Appendectomy

      Answer: a

       

      61. What is the purpose of preoperative teaching?
          1. To inform the patient of the surgery
          2. To prepare the patient for surgery
          3. To reduce anxiety and fear
          4. All of the above

      Answer: d

       

      62. Which of the following is a sign of surgical site infection?
          1. Fever
          2. Swelling
          3. Redness
          4. All of the above

      Answer: d

       

      63. Which of the following is a nursing intervention to prevent surgical site infection?
          1. Administering antibiotics as ordered
          2. Cleaning the surgical site with alcohol
          3. Leaving the dressing in place for several days
          4. Using a sterile dressing change technique

      Answer: d

       

      64. What is the name of the surgical procedure to remove the uterus?
          1. Appendectomy
          2. Hysterectomy
          3. Cholecystectomy
          4. Mastectomy

      Answer: b

       

      65. Which of the following is not a common surgical wound classification?
          1. Clean
          2. Clean-contaminated
          3. Contaminated
          4. Dirty

      Answer: d) Dirty

       

      66. Which of the following is not a type of surgical incision?
          1. Midline
          2. Transverse
          3. Oblique
          4. Diagonal

      Answer: d) Diagonal

       

      67. Which of the following surgical incisions is commonly used for a cholecystectomy?
          1. Midline
          2. Transverse
          3. Oblique
          4. Pfannenstiel

      Answer: c) Oblique

       

      68. Which of the following is not a type of surgical drain?
          1. Penrose
          2. Hemovac
          3. Jackson-Pratt
          4. Jackson-Taylor

      Answer: d) Jackson-Taylor

       

      69. What is the most common surgical procedure performed in the United States?
          1. Cholecystectomy
          2. Appendectomy
          3. Hysterectomy
          4. Cesarean section

      Answer: B. Appendectomy

       

      70. Which type of anesthesia is typically used for a cesarean section?
          1. General anesthesia
          2. Spinal anesthesia
          3. Epidural anesthesia
          4. Local anesthesia

      Answer: B. Spinal anesthesia

       

      71. Which of the following is not a common surgical site infection?
          1. Urinary tract infection
          2. Pneumonia
          3. Surgical wound infection
          4. Endocarditis

      Answer: D. Endocarditis

       

      72. What is the purpose of a surgical scrub?
          1. To remove dirt and debris from the skin
          2. To reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin
          3. To soften the skin
          4. To promote healing of the surgical incision

      Answer: B. To reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin

       

       

      73. Which of the following is not a preoperative nursing intervention?
          1. Providing preoperative teaching
          2. Administering preoperative medications
          3. Assessing the patient’s level of pain
          4. Ensuring informed consent is obtained

      Answer: c) Assessing the patient’s level of pain

       

      74. Which of the following is not a common postoperative nursing intervention?
          1. Monitoring vital signs
          2. Assessing the patient’s level of consciousness
          3. Administering postoperative medications
          4. Allowing the patient to ambulate independently

      Answer: d) Allowing the patient to ambulate independently

       

      75. Which of the following is not a potential complication of surgery?
          1. Infection
          2. Hemorrhage
          3. Hypotension
          4. Thrombosis

      Answer: c) Hypotension

       

      76. The primary purpose of surgical asepsis is to:
          1. Control or eliminate microorganisms
          2. Prevent patient injury during surgery
          3. Ensure that all surgical team members are properly trained
          4. Speed up the surgical procedure

      Answer: a) Control or eliminate microorganisms

       

       

      77. What is the primary purpose of surgical asepsis?
      78. To minimize the risk of infection
          1. To reduce pain
          2. To improve wound healing
          3. To promote blood flow

      Answer: a) To minimize the risk of infection

       

      79. Which of the following is not a type of surgical incision?
          1. Transverse incision
          2. Oblique incision
          3. Curvilinear incision
          4. Linear incision

      Answer: d) Linear incision

       

      80. What is the main purpose of a surgical gown?
          1. To protect the patient from infection
          2. To protect the healthcare worker from infection
          3. To promote wound healing
          4. To maintain blood flow

      Answer: b) To protect the healthcare worker from infection

       

      81. Which of the following is not a common surgical complication?
          1. Infection
          2. Hemorrhage
          3. Dehydration
          4. Deep vein thrombosis

      Answer: c) Dehydration

       

      82. Which of the following is not a common postoperative nursing intervention?
          1. Monitoring vital signs
          2. Administering pain medication
          3. Providing wound care
          4. Providing nutrition and hydration

      Answer: d) Providing nutrition and hydration

       

      83. Which of the following is not a type of surgical drain?
          1. Penrose drain
          2. Jackson-Pratt drain
          3. Hemovac drain
          4. G-tube drain

      Answer: d) G-tube drain

       

      84. What is the most common type of surgical anesthesia?
          1. General anesthesia
          2. Local anesthesia
          3. Regional anesthesia
          4. Spinal anesthesia

      Answer: a) General anesthesia

       

      85. Which of the following is not a potential complication of anesthesia?
          1. Nausea and vomiting
          2. Hypertension
          3. Respiratory depression
          4. Cardiac arrest

      Answer: b) Hypertension

      86. 86. Which of the following is a common symptom of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?
      86. 1. Headache
          2. Abdominal pain
          3. Diarrhea
          4. Dizziness

   Answer: D

   87. Which of the following is not a factor that increases a patient’s risk for surgical site infection?
       1. Obesity
       2. Advanced age
       3. Smoking
       4. Good nutrition

Answer: D

1. 1. 88.Which of the following is a common cause of wound dehiscence?
   2. 1. Infection
      2. Poor nutrition
      3. Excessive coughing
      4. Hypertension

Answer: B

1. 89. Which of the following is the primary goal of surgical nursing?
2. 88. 89. 90. 1. To promote patient safety
               2. To prevent postoperative complications
               3. To facilitate patient recovery
               4. All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above