Chapter 17: Preoperative Nursing Management
Several of the clients at the clinic are preparing to have surgery within the next 2 weeks. They are completing preoperative paperwork today with their visit. What are some of the reasons that people might need to have surgery? Select all that apply.
Cosmetic Diagnostic Palliative
The patient asks the nurse why food is withheld before surgery. What is the best response by the nurse?
"Aspiration is a concern and can be a complication if food or fluid is taken close to the surgery time."
You are the nurse working in an ambulatory surgery center. A teenage son of your clients ask you why so many people have surgery. What would be your best reply?
"Many people have diagnostic or short therapeutic surgical procedures."
The nurse has provided preoperative instructions to a client scheduled for surgery at an ambulatory care center. Which statement, made by the client, would indicate that further instruction is needed?
"The nurse will explain the details of the surgery before I sign a consent."
For the client who is taking aspirin, it is important to stop taking this medication at least how many day(s) before surgery?
7
A client having a surgical procedure takes aspirin 325 mg daily for prevention of platelet aggregation. When should the client stop taking the aspirin before the surgery?
7 to 10 days
The nurse expects informed consent to be obtained for insertion of:
A gastrostomy tube
In preparing the client for transfer to the operating room, which of the following actions by the nurse is inappropriate?
Allow the client to wear dentures.
A client refuses to remove her wedding band when preparing for surgery. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
Allow the client to wear the ring and cover it with tape.
You are caring for a client preoperatively who is very anxious and fearful about their surgery. You know that this client's anxiety can cause problems with the surgical experience. What type of problems can this client have because of their anxiety and fear?
Anxious clients have a poor response to surgery and are prone to complications.
The nurse recognizes that the client most at risk for mortality associated with surgery is the:
Client with chronic alcoholism
At which time does the nurse realize that it is best to begin teaching about care needed during the postoperative period?
During the preoperative period
A fractured skull would be classified under which category of surgery based on urgency?
Emergent
Which domain of perioperative nursing practice focuses on clinical processes and outcomes?
Health care systems
An anxious client being prepared for surgery is encouraged to concentrate on a pleasant experience or restful scene. What cognitive coping strategy would the nurse document as being used?
Imagery
An elderly client is preparing to undergo surgery. The nurse participates in preoperative care knowing that which of the following is the underlying principle that guides preoperative assessment, surgical care, and postoperative care for older adults?
Older adults have less physiologic reserve (or ability to regain physical equilibrium) than younger clients.
A client is scheduled for a cholecystectomy. Which finding by the nurse is least likely to contribute to surgical complications?
Osteoporosis
When is the ideal time to discuss preoperative teaching
Preadmission visit
Once the operating team has assembled in the room, the circulating nurse calls for a "time out." What action should the nurse take during the time out?
Review the scheduled procedure, site, and client.
A client is undergoing thoracic surgery. What priority education should the nurse provide to assist in preventing respiratory complications?
Splint the incision site using a pillow during deep breathing and coughing exercises.
Nursing assessment findings reveal that the client is afraid of dying during the surgical procedure. Which surgical team member would be most helpful in addressing the client's concern?
Surgeon
The nurse is educating a community group about types of surgery. A member of the group asks the nurse to describe a type of surgery that is curative. What response by the nurse is true?
Tumor excision
A 17-year-old client is having same-day surgery. Solely during the intraoperative phase of perioperative care, the nurse:
continuously monitors the sedated client.
A physically fit older adult is scheduled for right knee replacement. What factor for the client creates an increased risk for postoperative complications?
current smoking history
In advance of a client's scheduled appendectomy, the nurse spends significant time explaining to the client what will happen, both before the procedure and after the procedure is complete. The primary reason the nurse puts so much effort into preoperative teaching is to:
increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.
An example of a curative surgical procedure is
tumor excision.
A nurse evaluates the potential effects of a client's medication therapies before surgery. Which drug classification may cause respiratory depression from an associated electrolyte imbalance during anesthesia?
diuretics
A nurse is teaching a client with chronic bronchitis about breathing exercises. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
Use diaphragmatic breathing.
A client is scheduled for an invasive procedure. What priority documentation is needed regarding the procedure?
A signed consent form from the client
A nurse is witnessing a client sign the consent form for surgery. After signing the consent form, the client starts asking questions regarding the risks and benefits of a surgical procedure. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Request that the surgeon come and answer the questions.
