Surgical Patient Care Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct response highlights the role of Assistive Personnel (AP) and the appropriate tasks they are permitted to perform as part of the surgical preparation process. Assisting with vital signs and measuring height and weight are tasks that align with the basic supportive roles of APs. These actions are essential in preparing the patient for surgery as they help the healthcare team assess the patient's overall health status and identify any potential issues that may need addressing prior to the procedure.

While obtaining operative consent and the insertion of a nasogastric tube, as mentioned in one of the other choices, are critical tasks in the surgical process, these are typically beyond the scope of practice for an AP and require the attention of licensed healthcare professionals. Similarly, performing an enema and aiding in sterile gowning are tasks that usually fall under the responsibilities of nurses or surgical teams due to the need for specific training and knowledge about aseptic techniques.

Therefore, the intervention of performing vital signs and height/weight assessments is the most appropriate and within the AP’s role, making it the correct answer in the context of preparing a patient for surgery.