NURS 3230 Chapter 29 Perioperative Nursing NCLEX Questions and Answers (Verified Answers)

NURS 3230 Chapter 29 Perioperative Nursing NCLEX Questions and Answers (Verified Answers) 2026

Perioperative nursing is a critical specialty in healthcare, encompassing the entire surgical experience from preoperative preparation to postoperative recovery. Mastery of this domain is essential for nursing students, particularly those preparing for the NCLEX exam. This guide presents a curated selection of NCLEX-style questions and verified answers aligned with NURS 3230 Chapter 29, designed to reinforce key concepts and support exam readiness.

Understanding Perioperative Nursing

Perioperative nursing covers three primary phases:

1. Preoperative Phase – Focuses on patient assessment, informed consent, and preparation for surgery.

2. Intraoperative Phase – Encompasses sterile technique, anesthesia management, and intraoperative nursing interventions.

3. Postoperative Phase – Involves monitoring for complications, pain management, and facilitating patient recovery.

To excel in perioperative nursing, students should familiarize themselves with essential study resources such as Perioperative nursing Test Bank materials and Perioperative nursing fundamentals quizlet flashcards.

NCLEX-Style Questions and Answers

Question 1: Preoperative Assessment

A nurse is completing a preoperative assessment for a patient scheduled for elective surgery. Which finding would require immediate notification to the provider?

A) Blood pressure 128/82 mmHg B) Blood glucose 200 mg/dL in a diabetic patient C) Patient reports an allergy to penicillin D) Hemoglobin level of 7.8 g/dL

Correct Answer: D – A hemoglobin level of 7.8 g/dL is significantly low, indicating potential anemia, which may increase surgical risks such as hypoxia and delayed wound healing.

Question 2: Intraoperative Sterility

The scrub nurse has donned her sterile gown and is ready for gloves. What should be done next?

A) The circulating nurse should tie the gown and assist with gloving. B) The scrub nurse should apply gloves using the closed-gloving technique. C) The scrub nurse should reach for sterile gloves and don them independently. D) The circulating nurse should place the gloves in the scrub nurse’s hands to self-don.

Correct Answer: B – After donning a sterile gown, the scrub nurse must use the closed-gloving technique to maintain sterility, ensuring that the hands do not touch the external gown surface.

Question 3: Surgical Asepsis

Which of the following actions violates surgical asepsis?

A) Keeping hands above the waist while gloved B) Turning one’s back to the sterile field C) Using an alcohol-based hand rub before donning sterile gloves D) Maintaining a 1-inch border around the sterile field

Correct Answer: B – Turning away from the sterile field compromises sterility, as the nurse can no longer monitor for contamination.

Question 4: Postoperative Complications

A patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is exhibiting signs of airway obstruction. What is the nurse’s first intervention?

A) Administer a bronchodilator. B) Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). C) Reposition the patient to ensure an open airway. D) Call the provider immediately.

Correct Answer: C – Airway obstruction is often caused by the relaxation of the tongue. Repositioning the patient can alleviate the blockage and restore airflow.

Key Concepts for NCLEX Success

1. Prioritization of Patient Safety

• Adhering to the principles of surgical asepsis is paramount.

• Preoperative risk assessment should be thorough to minimize complications.

2. Understanding the Role of the Surgical Team

• The scrub nurse maintains sterility and assists the surgeon.

• The circulating nurse manages the surgical environment and ensures aseptic practice compliance.

3. Postoperative Monitoring

• Vigilance for complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hemorrhage, and respiratory distress is crucial.

• Pain management strategies, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches, should be tailored to the patient’s needs.

Utilizing Study Resources

To enhance exam preparation, students should leverage Perioperative nursing Test Bank materials, which provide comprehensive question sets aligned with NCLEX standards. Additionally, Perioperative nursing fundamentals quizlet decks offer a valuable tool for reinforcing concepts through active recall and repetition.

Conclusion

Success in NURS 3230 Chapter 29 and the NCLEX exam requires a solid grasp of perioperative nursing principles, including sterile technique, patient assessment, and intraoperative interventions. By studying verified NCLEX questions and utilizing high-yield study resources, nursing students can enhance their knowledge and clinical judgment, ensuring competency in perioperative care.

Below are sample Questions and Answers:

A nurse is assisting a physician in an emergency surgery for a client with intestinal perforation.
Which of the following descriptions is most suitable to the type of surgery performed?
a. Surgery required immediately for survival
b. Surgery required within one or two days
c. Surgery performed at the client's request
d. Surgery planned as per client's convenience - ANSWER Answer:
a. Surgery required immediately for survival
Rationale:
An emergency surgery is a surgery required immediately for survival. Elective surgery is
planned at the client's convenience; whereas, an optional surgery is performed at the client's
request. When urgent surgery is required, it is necessary and done within one or two days.
The nurse recognizes the value of leg exercises in the prevention of postoperative
thrombophlebitis. When should the nurse teach the correct technique for leg exercises to a
client?
a. When early signs of venous stasis are evident
b. In postanesthetic recovery
c. Upon transfer from postanesthetic care unit to the postsurgical unit
d. Prior to surgery - ANSWER Answer:
d. Prior to surgery
Rationale:
Though leg exercises are begun after surgery, such preventative measures should ideally be
taught to the patient during the preoperative period.
A nurse is preparing a client for endotracheal intubation. The anesthesiologist has ordered an
anticholinergic medication for this client. Which of the following is an action of this medication?
a. It promotes induction of anesthesia.
b. It decreases respiratory secretions.
c. It promotes sleep or conscious sedation.
d. It decreases gastric acidity and volume. - ANSWER Answer: