AMB-BC Ambulatory Nurse Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q21When preparing a diabetic patient (HbA1c over 8%) for surgery, all of these are important interventions except which one?
✓ Correct answer: B. Using an increased dose of insulin the morning of surgery without checking blood glucose levels
Answer: Using an increased dose of insulin the morning of surgery without checking blood glucose levels Diabetic patients undergoing surgery require careful management to avoid complications such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and infections. Key interventions include monitoring blood glucose levels, scheduling surgery early to minimize fasting, and ensuring appropriate doses of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections. Administering an increased dose of insulin without checking blood glucose levels can lead to dangerous hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Q22Which nerve is at risk of damage if the medial aspect of a patient's elbow is compressed during surgery?
✓ Correct answer: B. The ulnar nerve
Answer: The ulnar nerve The ulnar nerve runs along the medial side of the elbow and is easily compressed during procedures if proper padding is not used. The radial nerve is located on the lateral aspect of the elbow, making it less likely to be affected by medial compression. The median nerve runs through the anterior region of the elbow, and the axillary nerve is located in the shoulder region.
Q23What is the rationale behind using a specific type of surgical drape to isolate the surgical site during a procedure for a patient with a known infection?
✓ Correct answer: B. The drape acts as a barrier to prevent the spread of infectious agents.
Answer: The drape acts as a barrier to prevent the spread of infectious agents. Special surgical drapes are designed to isolate the surgical site and contain the infection, reducing the risk of contaminating other areas or personnel during the procedure.
Q24A patient undergoing cataract surgery with the preoperative administration of phenylephrine eye drops begins to experience a rapid increase in heart rate, high blood pressure, and a feeling of restlessness. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
✓ Correct answer: A. The phenylephrine
Answer: The phenylephrine. Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor and can cause significant cardiovascular stimulation, resulting in increased heart rate, hypertension, and feelings of restlessness. Its primary use in cataract surgery is to dilate the pupil, but these side effects should be closely monitored.
Q25A 50-year-old patient is undergoing a minor procedure to remove a suspicious mole on his back. He has had moles removed before, which were all non-cancerous, so he is not particularly worried about this one. The nurse knows which principle about skin lesions and will plan the back table set up and specimen retrieval accordingly?
✓ Correct answer: D. They are considered cancerous until proven benign; cancer precautions in back table set up should be taken
Answer: They are considered cancerous until proven benign; cancer precautions in back table set up should be taken Every skin lesion is considered cancerous until proven otherwise, no matter the patient's history. All precautions should be taken while removing the lesion so that no cancerous cells are spread in the case that it does come back as a malignancy. Surgeons should always send specimens down if there is any risk of malignancy, despite the cost of pathology tests.
Q26During intraoperative care, ensuring the safety and sterility of the surgical environment is crucial. Which of the following behaviors can increase the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) despite standard precautions?
✓ Correct answer: C. Not changing gloves between different procedures on the same patient
Not changing gloves between different procedures on the same patient increases the risk of cross-contamination and the potential spread of pathogens, leading to surgical site infections (SSI). Proper hand hygiene, preoperative skin antisepsis, and using sterile instrument trays are standard measures to minimize infection risk.
Q27The surgeon has requested the use of an ultrasonic scalpel. What does the nurse know about its characteristics?
✓ Correct answer: B. It causes less thermal damage to surrounding tissues
Answer: It causes less thermal damage to surrounding tissues An ultrasonic scalpel utilizes high-frequency sound waves to cut and coagulate tissues simultaneously. It operates at a lower temperature than traditional electrosurgical devices, which makes it less likely to cause thermal damage to the surrounding tissues.
Q28A patient is scheduled for a carpal tunnel release surgery and the surgeon decides to use a regional anesthesia method. What specific equipment is essential for administering a brachial plexus block?
✓ Correct answer: A. A nerve stimulator
Answer: A nerve stimulator A brachial plexus block is a type of regional anesthesia used during upper limb surgeries. The nerve stimulator helps identify the precise location of the nerve bundle for accurate anesthetic delivery. Unlike general anesthesia, regional anesthesia allows the patient to remain awake during the procedure, with only the targeted area being numb. It is crucial to monitor the patient for any complications, especially during the administration and initial effects of the anesthetic.
Q29A patient with atrial fibrillation is undergoing cardioversion at an ambulatory care center. They have a history of heart failure and are currently on multiple medications including a beta-blocker and an anticoagulant. During the cardioversion, the patient becomes confused, develops a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and experiences shortness of breath. The patient's pulse oximetry is reading 82%. What should the nurse do next and what should they ask the first coworker that responds to prepare?
✓ Correct answer: D. They should administer supplemental oxygen, place the patient in a semi-Fowler's position, and ask the coworker to grab a defibrillator and crash cart while waiting for the physician to arrive.
In this case, the rapid onset of symptoms suggests a potential arrhythmia or worsening heart failure. Administering supplemental oxygen and placing the patient in a semi-Fowler's position can help alleviate dyspnea and improve oxygenation. Preparation of the defibrillator and crash cart is crucial for potential emergency interventions such as defibrillation or advanced cardiac life support. It is essential to wait for the physician for further assessment and intervention.
Q30A patient scheduled for a total hip replacement takes metformin twice daily, levothyroxine once daily, aspirin once daily, and a daily multivitamin. Which medication should the nurse expect the anesthesia provider to advise the patient to continue on the morning of surgery?
✓ Correct answer: C. Levothyroxine
Answer: Levothyroxine. Patients on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism are generally advised to continue their thyroid medication on the morning of surgery to maintain thyroid hormone levels; a small sip of water to take the pill is usually allowed despite NPO status. Metformin is typically held before surgery because of the risk of lactic acidosis, and aspirin is often held because of its antiplatelet effects that increase bleeding risk. A multivitamin is not routinely necessary preoperatively.
Use the free AMB-BC Ambulatory Nurse Prep sample, download the PDF, then unlock web-based timed mock exams for a full exam rehearsal.
Theory