FREE CMSRN Perioperative Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real CMSRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 FREE CMSRN Perioperative Questions and Answers flashcards as text
A preoperative nurse is completing a surgical safety checklist. Which element is essential to verify during the 'time-out' immediately before incision?
Answer: Correct patient identity, procedure, and surgical site marking
The surgical time-out requires verification of correct patient, correct procedure, and correct site to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient, and wrong-procedure errors as mandated by The Joint Commission.
A postoperative patient develops a temperature of 102.4°F on the third day after abdominal surgery. Which cause should the nurse suspect first?
Answer: Urinary tract infection or respiratory infection
Fever on postoperative day 3 most commonly points to a urinary tract infection (from catheterization) or pneumonia, following the classic 'Wind, Water, Wound, Walk' mnemonic where 'Water' corresponds to days 3-5.
Which nursing intervention is most important for preventing deep vein thrombosis in a patient who underwent a total hip replacement?
Answer: Initiating sequential compression devices and early ambulation
Sequential compression devices combined with early ambulation are evidence-based interventions that promote venous return and reduce the high DVT risk associated with major orthopedic surgery.
A patient in the preoperative holding area reports that they ate a granola bar two hours ago despite NPO instructions. What should the nurse do?
Answer: Notify the anesthesiologist immediately about the NPO violation
An NPO violation increases aspiration risk during anesthesia induction, so the anesthesiologist must be notified immediately to determine whether to proceed, delay, or modify the anesthesia plan.
A nurse is monitoring a patient who received spinal anesthesia for a lower extremity procedure. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Blood pressure drops from 128/78 to 86/52 mmHg
Significant hypotension after spinal anesthesia indicates sympathetic blockade causing vasodilation and decreased venous return, requiring immediate treatment with IV fluids and vasopressors.
During postoperative assessment, a nurse notes serosanguineous drainage saturating the surgical dressing. The patient's heart rate is 110 bpm and blood pressure is 94/60 mmHg. What is the priority action?
Answer: Notify the surgeon immediately and prepare for possible return to the OR
Excessive serosanguineous drainage combined with tachycardia and hypotension suggests active postoperative hemorrhage, requiring immediate surgeon notification and potential surgical re-exploration.