Perioperative Questions from CoursePoint Set #1

A parent of a 16-year-old patient asks the nurse, "How could the surgeon operate without my consent?" What is the best response given by the nurse?

"Your child had life-threatening injuries that required immediate surgery."

The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The patient states that she is very nervous and really does not understand what the surgical procedure is for or how it will be performed. What is the most appropriate nursing action for the nurse to take?

Call the physician to review the procedure with the patient

The client is scheduled for a biopsy for suspected cancer of the prostate. The nurse recognizes the purpose of this surgical procedure is:

Diagnostic

A gunshot wound would be classified under which category of surgery based on urgency?

Emergent

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?

Palliative

The nurse has administered the preanesthetic medication. What action should the nurse take next?

Place the patient on bed rest with the side rails up.

What is the major purpose of withholding food and fluid before surgery?

Prevent Aspiration

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.

The nurse is educating a patient scheduled for elective surgery. The patient currently takes aspirin daily. What education should the nurse provide in regard to the medication?

Stop taking the aspirin 7 days before the surgery, unless otherwise directed by your physician.

You are caring for a client during the immediate postoperative period. What signs and symptoms indicate that the client may be in shock?

Weak and rapid pulse rate

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?

What are your concerns?

The surgical unit nurse is developing a postoperative plan of care. In which client's plan of care would the nurse document interventions of coughing and deep breathing, gastrointestinal assessment, and effective regulation of temperature?

A client with gastrointestinal surgery and general anesthesia

The nurse is conducting a health history of a preoperative client. The client shares that she experienced vaginal itching and burning and labial swelling after her partner tried a new brand of condoms. The nurse suspects that the client:

May have a latex allergy

In which instance may a surgeon operate without informed consent?

Emergency Situations

During the admission history the client reports to the nurse of taking the usual dose of warfarin (Coumadin) the previous day. The appropriate nursing action is:

Notify the surgeon that the client took Warfarin the day before the surgery.

A patient is scheduled for an invasive procedure. Which of the following should the nurse document in the chart regarding the procedure? a) A detailed urinalysis report b) A signed consent form from the patient's family c) A signed consent form from the patient d) A report from the dietician

C. A signed consent form from the patient

The nurse is aware that a religious group that refuses blood transfusions for religious reasons is:

Jehovah's Witnesses

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? Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis.

Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis.

A patient 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.

Which question is most important for the nurse to ask the client when obtaining the preoperative admission history?

When is the last time you ate or drank?