Chapter 30: Perioperative Nursing

In order to prevent the possibility of venous stasis, a nurse is teaching a surgical client how to perform leg exercises. Which of the client's following statements indicates a sound understanding of leg exercises? A) "I'll practice these now and try to start them as soon as I can after my surgery." B) "I'll try to do these lying on my stomach so that I can bend my knees more fully." C) "I'll make sure to do these, as long as my doctor doesn't tell me to stay on bed rest after my operation." D) "I'm pretty sure my stomach muscles are strong enough to lift both of my legs off the bed at the same time."

A) "I'll practice these now and try to start them as soon as I can after my surgery."

A nurse is educating a preoperative client on how to cough effectively. What can the nurse tell the client to do to facilitate coughing? A) "Hold a pillow or folded bath blanket over the incision." B) "Get up and walk before you try to cough." C) "It would be best if you do not cough until you feel better." D) "When you cough, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue

A) "Hold a pillow or folded bath blanket over the incision."

Which of the following nursing interventions occurs in the postoperative phase of the surgical experience? A) Airway/oxygen therapy/pulse oximetry B) Teaching deep breathing exercises C) Reviewing the meaning of p.r.n. orders for pain medications D) Putting in IV lines and administering fluids

A) Airway/oxygen therapy/pulse oximetry

A postoperative home care client has developed thrombophlebitis in her right leg. What category of medications will probably be prescribed for this cardiovascular complication? A) Anticoagulants B) Antibiotics C) Antihistamines D) Antigens

A) Anticoagulants

A client returning to the floor after orthopedic surgery is complaining of nausea. The nurse is aware that the appropriate intervention is to do which of the following? A) Avoid strong-smelling foods. B) Provide clear liquids with a straw. C) Avoid oral hygiene until nausea subsides. D) Hold all medications.

A) Avoid strong-smelling foods.

The nurse is providing education to a client regarding pain control after surgery. What time does the nurse inform the client is the best time to request pain medication? A) Before the pain becomes severe B) When the client experiences a pain rating of "10" on a 1-to-10 pain scale C) When there is no pain, but it is time for the medication to be administered D) After the pain becomes severe and relaxation techniques have failed

A) Before the pain becomes severe

The telemetry unit nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is scheduled for an operative procedure later in the day. The nurse notes on the laboratory report that the client has a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L, indicative of hyperkalemia. The nurse informs the physician of this laboratory result because the nurse recognizes hyperkalemia increases the client's operative risk for which of the following? A) Cardiac problems B) Infection C) Bleeding and anemia D) Fluid imbalances

A) Cardiac problems

A client, scheduled for open-heart surgery, tells the nurse he does not want to be "saved" if he dies during surgery. What should the nurse do next? A) Discuss with and document the wishes of the client and family B) Administer the ordered oral and intravenous preoperative medications C) Notify the physician after completion of the surgical procedure D) Verbally report the client's wishes to the operating room supervisor

A) Discuss with and document the wishes of the client and family

The nurse is preparing to send a client to the operating room for an exploratory laparoscopy. The nurse recognizes that there is no informed consent for the procedure on the client's chart. The nurse informs the physician who is performing the procedure. The physician asks the nurse to obtain the informed consent signature from the client. What is the nurse's best action to the physician's request? A) Inform the physician that it is his or her responsibility to obtain the signature. B) Obtain the signature and ask another nurse to cosign the signature. C) Inform the physician that the nurse manager will need to obtain the signature. D) Call the house officer to obtain the signature.

A) Inform the physician that it is his or her responsibility

Upon assessment, a client reports that he drinks five to six bottles of beer every evening after work. Based upon this information, the nurse is aware that the client may require which of the following? A) Larger doses of anesthetic agents and larger doses of postoperative analgesics B) Larger doses of anesthetic agents and lower doses of postoperative analgesics C) Lower doses of anesthetic agents and lower doses of postoperative analgesics D) Lower doses of anesthetic agents and larger doses of postoperative analgesics

A) Larger doses of anesthetic agents and larger doses of postoperative analgesics

A client scheduled for major surgery will receive general anesthesia. Why is inhalation anesthesia often used to provide the desired actions? A) Rapid excretion and reversal of effects B) Safe administration in the client's own room C) Involves only the respiratory system and skin D) Slow onset of action and maintains reflexes

A) Rapid excretion and reversal of effects

A nurse in an outpatient surgical center is teaching a client about what will be necessary for discharge to home. What information should the nurse include about transportation? A) The client is not allowed to drive a car home. B) If the client is not dizzy, driving a car is allowed. C) Only adults over the age of 25 may drive home. D) None; this is not necessary information.

A) The client is not allowed to drive a car home.

A diabetic client is undergoing surgery to amputate a gangrenous foot. This procedure would be considered which of the following categories of surgery based on purpose? A) Diagnostic B) Ablative C) Palliative D) Reconstructive

B) Ablative

A nurse is providing ongoing postoperative care to a client who has had knee surgery. The nurse assesses the dressing and finds it saturated with blood. The client is restless and has a rapid pulse. What should the nurse do next? A) Document the data and apply a new dressing. B) Apply a pressure dressing and report findings. C) Reassure the family that this is a common problem. D) Make assessments every 15 minutes for four hours.

B) Apply a pressure dressing and report findings.

Which of the following interventions are recommended guidelines for meeting client postoperative elimination needs? A) Assess abdominal distention, especially if bowel sounds are audible or are low pitched. B) Assess for the return of peristalsis by auscultating bowel sounds every four hours when the client is awake. C) Encourage food and fluid intake when ordered, especially dairy products and low-fiber foods. D)Assess for bladder distention by Palpating below the symphysis pubis if the client has not voided within eight hours after surgery.

B) Assess for the return of peristalsis by auscultating bowel sounds every four hours when the client is awake.

A female client is scheduled for liposuction surgery to reduce her weight. Based on urgency, how is this surgery classified? A) Urgent B) Elective C) Emergency D) Emergent

B) Elective

Which of the following interventions is of major importance during preoperative education? A) Performing skills necessary for gastrointestinal preparation B) Encouraging the client to identify and verbalize fears C) Discussing the site and extent of the surgical incision D) Telling the client not to worry or be afraid of surgery

B) Encouraging the client to identify and verbalize fears

A nurse has been asked to ensure informed consent for a surgical procedure. What might be a role of the nurse? A) Securing informed consent from the client B) Signing the consent form as a witness C) Ensuring the client does not refuse treatment D) Refusing to participate based on legal guidelines

B) Signing the consent form as a witness

A nurse is assisting a physician during a cesarean section for a client. The client is administered epidural anesthesia. Which of the following is an advantage of epidural anesthesia? A) It counteracts the effects of conscious sedation. B) It decreases the risk of gastrointestinal complications. C) It prevents clients from remembering the initial recovery period. D) It acts on the central nervous system to produce loss of sensation.

B) It decreases the risk of gastrointestinal complications.

A nurse is taking care of a client during the immediate post-operative period. Which of the following duties performed during the immediate post-operative period is most important? A) Ensure the safe recovery of surgical clients. B) Monitor the client for complications. C) Prepare a room for the client's return. D) Assess the client's health constantly.

B) Monitor the client for complications.

A young woman has been in an automobile crash that resulted in an amputation of her left lower leg. She verbalizes grief and loss. What knowledge by the nurse is used to provide interventions to help the client cope? A) The client should be grateful to be alive. B) This is a normal, appropriate response. C) This is an abnormal, inappropriate response. D) Tissue healing will help the client adapt.

B) This is a normal, appropriate response.

A physician has ordered a nurse to administer conscious sedation to a client. Which of the following is possible after administering conscious sedation to a client? A) Client can respond verbally despite physical immobility. B) Client can tolerate long therapeutic surgical procedures. C) Client is relaxed, emotionally comfortable, and conscious. D) Client's consciousness level can be monitored by equipment.

C) Client is relaxed, emotionally comfortable, and conscious.

A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to undergo a breast biopsy. Which of the following major tasks does the nurse perform immediately during the pre-operative period? A) Obtain a signature on the consent form. B) Review the surgical checklist. C) Conduct a nursing assessment. D) Reduce the dosage of toxic drugs.

C) Conduct a nursing assessment.

A nurse is reviewing results of preoperative screening tests and notes the client's potassium level is dangerously low. What should the nurse do next? A) Nothing; potassium levels have no influence on surgical outcome. B) Include the information in the postoperative end of shift report. C) Document the data and notify the physician who will do the surgery. D) Ask the client and family members why the potassium is low.

C) Document the data and notify the physician who will do the surgery.

An operating room nurse is preparing for a surgical procedure on an infant. The nurse's perioperative care is based on what physiologic factor puts infants at greater risk from surgery than adults? A) Increased vascular rigidity B) Diminished chest expansion C) Lower total blood volume D) Decreased peripheral circulation

C) Lower total blood volume

A preoperative assessment finds a client to be 75 pounds overweight. The client is to have abdominal surgery. What nursing diagnosis would be appropriate based on the client's weight? A) Risk for Aspiration B) Risk for Imbalanced Body Temperature C) Risk for Infection D) Risk for Falls

C) Risk for Infection

A nurse is educating a surgical client on postoperative p.r.n. pain control. Which of the following should be included? A) "We will bring you pain medications; you don't need to ask." B) "Even if you have pain, you may get addicted to the drugs." C) "You won't have much pain so just tough it out." D) "You need to ask for the medication before the pain becomes severe."

D) "You need to ask for the medication before the pain becomes severe."

A nurse is educating a client about regional anesthesia. Which of the following statements is accurate about this type of anesthesia? A) "You will be asleep and won't be aware of the procedure." B) "You will be asleep but may feel some pain during the procedure." C) "You will be awake but will not be aware of the procedure." D) "You will be awake and will not have sensation of the procedure."

D) "You will be awake and will not have sensation of the procedure."

A client with abdominal incisions experiences excruciating pain when he tries to cough. What should the nurse do to reduce the client's discomfort when coughing? A) Administer prescribed pain medication just before coughing. B) Ask the client to drink plenty of water before coughing. C) Ask the client to lie in a lateral position when coughing. D) Administer prescribed pain medication 30 minutes before deliberately attempting to cough.

D) Administer prescribed pain medication 30 minutes before deliberately attempting to cough.

Which statement accurately represents a recommended guideline when providing postoperative care for the following clients? A) Force fluids for an adult client who has a urine output of less that 30 mL per hour. B) If client is febrile within 12 hours of surgery, notify the physician immediately. C) If the dressing was clean but now has a large amount of fresh blood, remove the dressing and reapply it. D) If vital signs are progressively increasing or decreasing from baseline, notify the physician of possible internal bleeding.

D) If vital signs are progressively increasing or decreasing from baseline, notify the physician of possible internal bleeding.

A student is assessing a postoperative client who has developed pneumonia. The plan of care includes positioning the client in the Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position. What is the rationale for this position? A) It increases blood flow to the heart. B) The client will be more comfortable and have less pain. C) It facilitates nursing assessments of skin color and temperature. D) It promotes full aeration of the lungs.

D) It promotes full aeration of the lungs.

After conducting a preoperative health assessment, the nurse documents that the client has physical assessments supporting the medical diagnosis of emphysema. Based on this finding, what postoperative interventions would be included in the plan of care? A) Perform sterile dressing changes each morning. B) Administer pain medications as needed. C) Conduct a head-to-toe assessment each shift. D) Monitor respirations and breath sounds.

D) Monitor respirations and breath sounds.

A cleansing enema is ordered for a client who is scheduled to have colon surgery. What is the rationale for this procedure? A) Surgical clients routinely are given a cleansing enema. B) Cleansing enemas are given before surgery at the client's request. C) There will be less flatus and discomfort postoperatively. D) Peristalsis does not return for 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

D) Peristalsis does not return for 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

A nurse working in a PACU is responsible for conducting assessments on immediate postoperative clients. What is the purpose of these assessments? A) To determine the length of time to recover from anesthesia B) To use intraoperative data as a basis for comparison C) To focus on cardiovascular data and findings D) To prevent complications from anesthesia and surgery

D) To prevent complications from anesthesia and surgery

A nurse is assisting a postoperative client with deep-breathing exercises. Which of the following is an accurate step for this procedure? A) Place the client in prone position, with the neck and shoulders supported. B) Ask the client to place the hands over the stomach, so he or she can feel the chest rise as the lungs expand. C) Ask the client to exhale rapidly and completely, and inhale through the nose rapidly and completely. D)Ask the client to hold his or her breath for three to five seconds and mentally count "one, one thousand, two, one thousand" and so forth.

D)Ask the client to hold his or her breath for three to five seconds and mentally count "one, one thousand, two, one thousand" and so forth.