PreOp Chapter 17
The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery prior to her hysterectomy without oophorectomy. The nurse is witnessing the patient's signature on a consent form. Which comment by the patient would best indicate informed consent? A. This surgery will make it easier for me to have children. B. The physician is going to remove my uterus and ovaries. C. This surgery is safe and there are no risks involved. D. The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of bleeding.
Ans: "The physician is going to remove my uterus and told me about the risk of bleeding." Feedback: The surgeon must inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks, complications, disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what to expect in the early and late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the information provided, and, if the patient requests additional information, the nurse notifies the physician. In the correct response, the patient is able to tell the nurse what will occur during the procedure and the associated risks. This indicates the patient has a sufficient understanding of the procedure to provide informed consent. Clarification of information given may be necessary, but no additional information should be given. The other listed statements do not reflect an understanding of the surgery to be performed.
The nurse is doing a preoperative assessment of an 87-year-old man who is slated to have a right lung lobe resection to treat lung cancer. What underlying principle should guide the nurse's preoperative assessment of an elderly patient? A. elderly patients have larger lung capacities than younger patients B. elderly patients cope better than younger patients C. elderly patients require larger doses of medications that younger patients D. elderly patients have less physiologic reserve than younger patients
Ans: Elderly patients have less physiologic reserve than younger patients. Feedback: The underlying principle that guides the preoperative assessment, surgical care, and postoperative care is that elderly patients have less physiologic reserve (the ability of an organ to return to normal after a disturbance in its equilibrium) than do younger patients. Elderly patients do not have larger lung capacities than younger patients. Elderly patients cannot necessarily cope better than younger patients and they often require lower doses of medications.
The clinic nurse is doing a preoperative assessment of a patient who will be undergoing outpatient cataract surgery with lens implantation in 1 week. While taking the patient's medical history, the nurse notes that this patient had a kidney transplant 8 years ago and that the patient is taking immunosuppressive drugs. For what is this patient at increased risk when having surgery? A. infection B. adrenal storm C. rejection D. hemorrhage
Ans: Infection Feedback: Because patients who are immunosuppressed are highly susceptible to infection, great care is taken to ensure strict asepsis. The patient is unlikely to experience rejection or adrenal storm.
The nurse is creating the care plan for a 70-year-old obese patient who has been admitted to the postsurgical unit following a colon resection. This patient's age and increased body mass index mean that she is at increased risk for what complication in the postoperative period? A. azotemia B. falls C. infection D. hyperglycemia
Ans: Infection Feedback: Like age, obesity increases the risk and severity of complications associated with surgery. During surgery, fatty tissues are especially susceptible to infection. In addition, obesity increases technical and mechanical problems related to surgery. Therefore, dehiscence (wound separation) and wound infections are more common. A postoperative patient who is obese will not likely be at greater risk for hyperglycemia, azotemia, or falls.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a patient who will soon undergo a cardiac bypass. The nurse's teaching plan includes exercises of the extremities. What is the purpose of teaching a patient leg exercises prior to surgery? A. leg exercises prevent pressure sores to the sacrum B. leg exercises increase the patient's level of consciousness C. leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis D. leg exercises increase muscle mass
Ans: Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis. Feedback: Exercise of the extremities includes extension and flexion of the knee and hip joints (similar to bicycle riding while lying on the side) unless contraindicated by type of surgical procedure (e.g., hip replacement). When the patient does leg exercises postoperatively, circulation is increased, which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Leg exercises do not prevent pressure sores to the sacrum, or increase the patient's level of consciousness. Leg exercises have the potential to increase strength and mobility, but are unlikely to make a change to muscle mass in the short term.
The nurse is caring for a hospice patient who is scheduled for a surgical procedure to reduce the size of his spinal tumor in an effort to relieve his pain. The nurse should plan this patient care with the knowledge that his surgical procedure is classified as which of the following? A. curative B. reparative C. diagnostic D. palliative
Ans: Palliative Feedback: A patient on hospice will undergo a surgical procedure only for palliative care to reduce pain, but it is not curative. The reduction of tumor size to relieve pain is considered a palliative procedure. A laparoscopic procedure is a type of surgery that is utilized for diagnostic purposes or for repair. The excision of a tumor is classified as curative. This patient is not having the tumor removed, only the size reduced.
A patient is on call to the OR for an aortobifemoral bypass and the nurse administers the ordered preoperative medication. After administering a preoperative medication to the patient, what should the nurse do? A. place the bed in the lowest position with the side rails up B. take the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes C. tell the patient to go to the bathroom D. make sure the patient doesn't become drowsy
Ans: Place the bed in a low position with the side rails up. Feedback: When the preoperative medication is given, the bed should be placed in low position with the side rails raised. The patient should not get up without assistance. The patient may not be asleep, but he may be drowsy. Vital signs should be taken before the preoperative medication is given; vital signs are not normally required every 15 minutes after administration.
A patient is scheduled for a bowel resection in the morning and the patient's orders include a cleansing enema tonight. The patient wants to know why this is necessary. The nurse should explain that the cleansing enema will have what therapeutic effect? A. it will prevent the development of gas posteroperatively B. it will prevent potential contamination of the peritoneum C. it will increase the absorption of medications D. it will prevent the aspiration of gastric contents
Ans: Preventing potential contamination of the peritoneum Feedback: The administration of a cleansing enema will allow for satisfactory visualization of the surgical site and to prevent trauma to the intestine or contamination of the peritoneum by feces. It will have no effect on aspiration of gastric contents or the absorption of medications. The patient should expect to develop gas in the postoperative period.
The ED nurse is caring for an 11-year-old brought in by ambulance after having been hit by a car. The child's parents are thought to be en route to the hospital but have not yet arrived. No other family members are present and attempts to contact the parents have been unsuccessful. The child needs emergency surgery to save her life. How should the need for informed consent be addressed? A. delay the surgery until the parent' arrive B. surgery should be done without informed consent C. the social worker should give informed consent D. the ethics committee should give informed consent
Ans: Surgery should be done without informed consent. Feedback: In an emergency, it may be necessary for the surgeon to operate as a lifesaving measure without the patient's informed consent. However, every effort must be made to contact the patient's family. In such a situation, contact can be made by electronic means. In this scenario, the surgery is considered lifesaving, and the parents are on their way to the hospital and not available. A delay would be unacceptable. Neither a social worker nor a member of the ethics committee may sign.
The nurse admitting a patient who is insulin dependent to the same-day surgical suite for carpal tunnel surgery. How should this patient's diagnosis of type 1 diabetes affect the care that the nurse plans? A. prepare an preoperative insulin infusion B. assess the patient's glucose levels frequently C. infuse dextrose IV D. maintain a prolonged NPO status
Ans: The nurse should assess the patient's blood glucose levels vigilantly. Feedback: The patient with diabetes who is undergoing surgery is at risk for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Close glycemic monitoring is necessary. Dextrose infusion and prolonged NPO status are contraindicated. There is no specific need for an insulin infusion preoperatively.
The nurse is checking the informed consent for a 17-year-old who has just been married and expecting her first child. She is scheduled for a cesarean section. She is still living with her parents and is on her parents' health insurance. When obtaining informed consent for the cesarean section, who is legally responsible for signing? A. parents B. patient C. husband D. provider
Ans: The patient Feedback: An emancipated minor (married or independently earning his or her own living) may sign his or her own consent form. In this case, the patient is the only person who can provide consent unless she would be neurologically incapacitated or incompetent, in which case her husband would need to provide consent.
You are the nurse caring for an unconscious trauma victim who needs emergency surgery. The patient is a 55-year-old man with an adult son. He is legally divorced and is planning to be remarried in a few weeks. His parents are at the hospital with the other family members. The physician has explained the need for surgery, the procedure to be done, and the risks to the children, the parents, and the fiancé. Who should be asked to sign the surgery consent form? A. the fiance B. the son C. the father D. the provider
Ans: The son Feedback: The patient personally signs the consent if of legal age and mentally capable. Permission is otherwise obtained from a surrogate, who most often is a responsible family member (preferably next of kin) or legal guardian. In this instance, the child would be the appropriate person to ask to sign the consent form as he is the closest relative at the hospital. The fiancé is not legally related to him as the marriage has not yet taken place. The father would only be asked to sign the consent if no children were present to sign. The physician would not sign if family members were available.
The nurse is performing a preadmission assessment of a patient scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy. Of what purpose of the preadmission assessment should the nurse be aware? A. determines the patient's suitability for surgery B. addresses needed transportation C. verifies completion of preop diagnostic testing D. involves financial considerations
Ans: Verifies completion of preoperative diagnostic testing Feedback: Purposes of preadmission testing (PAT) include verifying completion of preoperative diagnostic testing. The nurse's role in PAT does not normally involve financial considerations or addressing transportation. The physician determines the patient's suitability for surgery.
A 77-year-old man's coronary artery bypass graft has been successful and discharge planning is underway. When planning the patient's subsequent care, the nurse should know that the postoperative phase of perioperative nursing ends at what time? A. when the patient is discharged B. when a follow-up evaluation is done C. when the patient is transferred from the PACU to the hospital floor
Ans: When a follow-up evaluation in the clinical or home setting is done Feedback: The postoperative phase begins with the admission of the patient to the PACU and ends with a follow-up evaluation in the clinical setting or home.
A patient is admitted to the ED complaining of severe abdominal pain, stating that he has been vomiting "coffee-ground" like emesis. The patient is diagnosed with a perforated gastric ulcer and is informed that he needs surgery. When can the patient most likely anticipate that the surgery will be scheduled? A. In 24 hours because the bleed is urgent B. Without delay because the bleed is emergent C. In a week because the bleed requires surgery D. Deferred until after elective surgeries have been completed
Ans: Without delay because the bleed is emergent Feedback: Emergency surgeries are unplanned and occur with little time for preparation for the patient or the perioperative team. An active bleed is considered an emergency, and the patient requires immediate attention because the disorder may be life threatening. The surgery would not likely be deferred until after elective surgeries have been completed.
