Thepoint: Post-op

The nurse is completing a preoperative assessment. The nurse notices the patient is tearful and constantly wringing hands. The patient states, "I'm really nervous about this surgery. Do you think it will be ok?" What is the nurse's best response? A. "What are your concerns?" B. "What family support do you have after the surgery?" C. "No one has ever died from the procedure you are having." D. "You have nothing to worry about; you have the best surgical team."

"What are your concerns?"

A physician's admitting note lists a wound as healing by second intention. What does the nurse expect to find?

A wound in which the edges were not approximated

A client had a nephrectomy 2 days ago and is now complaining of abdominal pressure and nausea. The first nursing action should be to

Auscultate bowel sounds.

What is the blood glucose level goal for a diabetic patient who will be having a surgical procedure? A. 150 to 240 mg/dL B. 80 to 110 mg/dL C. 250 to 300 mg/dL D. 300 to 350 mg/dL

B. 80 to 110 mg/dL

A patient refuses to remove her wedding band when preparing for surgery. What is the best action for the nurse to take? A. Discuss the risk for infection caused by wearing the ring. B. Remove the ring once the patient is sedated. C. Notify the surgeon to cancel surgery. D. Allow the ring to stay on the patient and cover it with tape.

D. Allow the ring to stay on the patient and cover it with tape.

What action by the nurse best encompasses the preoperative phase? A. Documenting the application of sequential compression devices (SCD) B. Educating the patients on signs and symptoms of infection C. Shaving the patient using a straight razor D. Monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes

Educating the patients on signs and symptoms of infection

You are caring for a client postoperatively. What nursing interventions help prevent venous stasis and other circulatory complications in a client who has undergone surgery?

Encourage the client to move legs frequently and do leg exercises.

A patient is scheduled to have a cholecystectomy. Which of the nurse's finding is least likely to contribute to surgical complications? A. Pregnancy B. Diabetes C. Osteoporosis D. Urinary tract infection

Osteoporosis

Which of the following is a classic sign of hypovolemic shock?

Pallor

The nurse documents the presence of granulation tissue in a healing wound. How should the nurse describe the tissue?

Pink to red and soft, bleeding easily

What does the nurse recognize as one of the most common postoperative respiratory complications in elderly patients?

Pneumonia

The nurse is caring for the postoperative client in the postanesthesia care unit. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

Position the client to maintain a patent airway.

An obese patient is scheduled for open abdominal surgery. What priority education should the nurse provide this patient? A. Prevention of wound dehiscence B. Wound care and infection prevention C. Venous thromboembolism prevention D. Prevention of respiratory complications

Prevention of respiratory complications

What complication is the nurse aware of that is associated with deep venous thrombosis?

Pulmonary embolism

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

A postoperative client is being evaluated for discharge and currently has an Aldrete score of 8. Which of the following is the most likely outcome for this client?

The client can be discharged from the PACU.

You are caring for a client 6 hours post surgery. You observe that the client voids urine frequently and in small amounts. You know that this most probably indicates what?

Urine retention

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? A. Aging processes reduce the chances that surgery will be successful for these clients. B. Neurologic and musculoskeletal complications are the leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality for older adults. C. All older people face similar risks when undergoing surgeries. D. Older adults have less physiologic reserve (or ability to regain physical equilibrium) than younger clients.

Older adults have less physiologic reserve (or ability to regain physical equilibrium) than younger clients.