NBSTSA Preoperative & Postoperative Patient Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must be completed and signed by the patient before a surgical procedure can legally proceed?
- Advance directive
- Informed consent form (Correct answer)
- HIPAA acknowledgment
- Insurance authorization
Correct answer: Informed consent form
An informed consent form must be signed by the patient (or legal guardian) before surgery, confirming the patient understands the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
Question 2: A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. What is the standard NPO (nothing by mouth) guideline for clear liquids prior to elective surgery?
- 8 hours
- 6 hours
- 4 hours
- 2 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 2 hours
Current ASA guidelines allow clear liquids up to 2 hours before elective procedures under general anesthesia to reduce aspiration risk.
Question 3: During the preoperative assessment, the surgical technologist notes the patient is taking warfarin. What is the primary concern with this medication in the perioperative period?
- Increased infection risk
- Anaphylactic reaction risk
- Increased bleeding risk (Correct answer)
- Delayed wound healing
Correct answer: Increased bleeding risk
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, significantly increasing the risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding.
Question 4: Which preoperative skin preparation method is considered most effective for reducing surgical site infection (SSI)?
- Povidone-iodine scrub only
- Chlorhexidine gluconate with alcohol (Correct answer)
- Soap and water wash
- Betadine paint alone
Correct answer: Chlorhexidine gluconate with alcohol
Chlorhexidine gluconate with alcohol (CHG-alcohol) is the preferred skin antiseptic for surgical site preparation due to its persistent antimicrobial activity and broad-spectrum efficacy.
Question 5: The surgical technologist is performing a preoperative patient identification check. According to The Joint Commission, how many patient identifiers must be used?
- One
- Two (Correct answer)
- Three
- Four
Correct answer: Two
The Joint Commission requires a minimum of two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth) before any procedure to prevent wrong-patient errors.
Question 6: Which phase of the surgical experience begins when the patient enters the operating room and ends when the patient is transferred to the PACU?
- Preoperative phase
- Intraoperative phase (Correct answer)
- Postoperative phase
- Perioperative phase
Correct answer: Intraoperative phase
The intraoperative phase encompasses the period from the patient's arrival in the OR through the completion of surgery and transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
Question 7: A patient reports a latex allergy during preoperative assessment. What is the priority intervention?
- Administer an antihistamine preoperatively
- Schedule the case as the last of the day
- Notify the entire surgical team and prepare a latex-free environment (Correct answer)
- Use only sterile latex gloves
Correct answer: Notify the entire surgical team and prepare a latex-free environment
A latex allergy requires immediate notification of the entire surgical team and creation of a latex-free environment to prevent potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
NBSTSA Preoperative & Postoperative Patient Care 1
Which document must be completed and signed by the patient before a surgical procedure can legally proceed?