MSNCB Surgical Procedures & Postoperative Care 3

Question 1

When assessing a postoperative patient's surgical wound on day 2, the nurse observes wound edges that are approximated with mild serous drainage. This finding is:

Accepted Answer

A normal finding for primary intention healing

Answer

Approximated wound edges with mild serous drainage on postoperative day 2 are expected findings for primary intention healing.

Question 2

A patient receiving epidural analgesia postoperatively develops a blood pressure of 85/50 mmHg and heart rate of 55 bpm. The nurse's priority action is to:

Accepted Answer

Discontinue the epidural and notify the anesthesiologist

Answer

Hypotension and bradycardia with epidural analgesia suggest sympathetic blockade; the epidural must be stopped and the anesthesiologist notified immediately.

Question 3

Following a colostomy, a patient's stoma appears pale and dusky 12 hours postoperatively. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the surgeon immediately as this indicates ischemia

Answer

A pale or dusky stoma indicates compromised vascular supply (ischemia), which requires immediate surgical notification.

Question 4

A postoperative patient uses a PCA pump and reports uncontrolled pain at level 8/10. The nurse assesses that the patient is not pressing the button correctly. The appropriate intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Educate the patient on proper PCA use and assess for barriers

Answer

Patient education on correct PCA use addresses the root cause of underutilization before escalating to other analgesic routes.

Question 5

Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient 24 hours post-bowel resection?

Accepted Answer

Serum lactate 6 mmol/L

Answer

An elevated serum lactate of 6 mmol/L signals anaerobic metabolism, suggesting tissue hypoperfusion or septic shock requiring urgent intervention.

(MSNCB) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board Practice Test

(MSNCB) Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board Practice Test

MSNCB Surgical Procedures & Postoperative Care 3