Med Surg Week 2 Set
The nurse assesses a patient who had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 days ago. Which information about the patient is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. The patient's temperature is 100.3° F (37.9° C). b. The patient's calf is swollen, warm, and painful. c. The 24-hour oral intake is 600 mL greater than the total output. d. The patient reports abdominal pain at level 6 (0 to 10 scale) when ambulating.
he patient's calf is swollen, warm, and painful.
Which statement by a patient scheduled for surgery is most important to report to the health care provider? a. "I have a strong family history of cancer." b. "I had a heart valve replacement last year." c. "I had bacterial pneumonia 3 months ago." d. "I have knee pain whenever I walk or jog."
"I had a heart valve replacement last year."
The nurse should plan to use a wet-to-dry dressing for which patient? a. A patient who has a pressure ulcer with pink granulation tissue b. A patient who has a surgical incision with pink, approximated edges c. A patient who has a full-thickness burn filled with dry, black material d. A patient who has a wound with purulent drainage and dry brown areas
A patient who has a wound with purulent drainage and dry brown areas
A patient who has an infected abdominal wound develops a temperature of 104° F (40° C). All the following interventions are included in the patient's plan of care. In which order should the nurse perform the following actions? a. Administer IV antibiotics. b. Sponge patient with cool water. c. Perform wet-to-dry dressing change. d. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
A, D, B, C
A patient's blood pressure in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) has dropped from an admission blood pressure of 140/86 to 102/60 mm Hg with a pulse change of 70 to 96 beats/min. SpO2 is 92% on 3 L of oxygen. In which order should the nurse take these actions? (Put a comma and a space between each answer choice [A, B, C, D].) a. Increase the IV infusion rate. b. Assess the patient's dressing. c. Increase the oxygen flow rate. d. Check the patient's temperature.
A,C,B,D
While ambulating in the room, a patient complains of feeling dizzy. In what order will the nurse accomplish the following activities? (Put a comma and a space between each answer choice [A, B, C, D].) a. Have the patient sit down in a chair. b. Give the patient something to drink. c. Take the patient's blood pressure (BP). d. Inform the patient's health care provider.
A,C,B,D
The nurse will perform which action when doing a wet-to-dry dressing change on a patient's stage III sacral pressure ulcer? a. Administer prescribed PRN hydrocodone 30 minutes before the change. b. Pour sterile saline onto the new dry dressings after the wound has been packed. c. Apply antimicrobial ointment before repacking the wound with moist dressings. d. Soak the old dressings with sterile saline 30 minutes before the dressing change
Administer prescribed PRN hydrocodone 30 minutes before the change.
Which finding would indicate to the nurse that a postoperative patient is at increased risk for poor wound healing? a. Potassium 3.5 mEq/L b. Albumin level 2.2 g/dL c. Hemoglobin 10.2 g/dL d. White blood cells 11,900/µL
Albumin level 2.2 g/dL
A young male patient with paraplegia has a stage II sacral pressure ulcer and is being cared for at home by his family. To prevent further tissue damage, what instructions are most important for the nurse to teach the patient and family? a. Change the patient's bedding frequently. b. Apply a hydrocolloid dressing over the ulcer. c. Change the patient's position every 1 to 2 hours. d. Record the size and appearance of the ulcer weekly.
Change the patient's position every 1 to 2 hours.
Which action describes how the scrub nurse protects the patient with aseptic technique during surgery? a. Uses waterproof shoe covers b. Wears personal protective equipment c. Changes gloves after touching the upper arm of the surgeon's gown d. Requires that all operating room (OR) staff perform a surgical scrub
Changes gloves after touching the upper arm of the surgeon's gown
A patient who is just waking up after having hip replacement surgery is agitated and confused. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Administer the prescribed opioid. b. Check the oxygen (O2) saturation. c. Take the blood pressure and pulse. d. Apply wrist restraints to secure IV lines
Check the oxygen (O2) saturation.
A young adult patient who is receiving antibiotics for an infected leg wound has a temperature of 101.8° F (38.7° C) The patient reports having no discomfort. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Apply a cooling blanket. b. Notify the health care provider. c. Check the patient's temperature again in 4 hours. d. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) prescribed PRN for pain.
Check the patient's temperature again in 4 hours.
The outpatient surgery nurse reviews the complete blood cell (CBC) count results for a patient who is scheduled for surgery. The results are white blood cell (WBC) count 10.2 103 /µL; hemoglobin 15 g/dL; hematocrit 45%; platelets 150 103 /µL. Which action should the nurse take? a. Notify the surgeon and anesthesiologist immediately. b. Ask the patient about any symptoms of a recent infection. c. Continue to prepare the patient for the surgical procedure. d. Discuss the possibility of blood transfusion with the patient.
Continue to prepare the patient for the surgical procedure.
A patient has received atropine before surgery and complains of dry mouth. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Check for skin tenting. b. Notify the health care provider. c. Ask the patient about any weakness or dizziness. d. Explain that dry mouth is an expected side effect.
Explain that dry mouth is an expected side effect
The nurse is preparing a patient on the morning of surgery. The patient refuses to remove a wedding ring, saying, "I've never taken it off since the day I was married." Which response by the nurse is best? a. Have the patient sign a release form and leave the ring on. b. Tell the patient that the hospital is not liable for loss of the ring. c. Suggest that the patient give the ring to a family member to keep. d. Inform the operating room personnel that the patient is wearing a ring.
Suggest that the patient give the ring to a family member to keep.
A patient is transferred from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to the clinical unit. Which action by the nurse on the clinical unit should be performed first? a. Assess the patient's pain. b. Orient the patient to the unit. c. Take the patient's vital signs. d. Read the postoperative orders.
Take the patient's vital signs.
The nurse is caring for a patient the first postoperative day following a laparotomy for a small bowel obstruction. The nurse notices new bright-red drainage about 5 cm in diameter on the dressing. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Reinforce the dressing. b. Apply an abdominal binder. c. Take the patient's vital signs. d. Recheck the dressing in 1 hour
Take the patient's vital signs.
After the home health nurse teaches a patient's family member about how to care for a sacral pressure ulcer, which finding indicates that additional teaching is needed? a. The family member uses a lift sheet to reposition the patient. b. The family member uses clean tap water to clean the wound. c. The family member dries the wound using a hair dryer on a low setting. d. The family member places contaminated dressings in a plastic grocery bag.
The family member dries the wound using a hair dryer on a low setting.
A new nurse performs a dressing change on a stage II left heel pressure ulcer. Which action by the new nurse indicates a need for further teaching about pressure ulcer care? a. The new nurse cleans the ulcer with half-strength peroxide. b. The new nurse uses a hydrocolloid dressing (DuoDerm)on the ulcer. c. The new nurse irrigates the pressure ulcer with saline using a 30-mL syringe. d. The new nurse inserts a sterile cotton-tipped applicator into the pressure ulcer.
The new nurse cleans the ulcer with half-strength peroxide.
An experienced nurse orients a new nurse to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Which action by the new nurse, if observed by the experienced nurse, indicates that the orientation was successful? a. The new nurse assists a nauseated patient to a supine position. b. The new nurse positions an unconscious patient supine with the head elevated. c. The new nurse positions an unconscious patient on the side upon arrival in the PACU. d. The new nurse places a patient in the Trendelenburg position for a low blood pressure.
The new nurse positions an unconscious patient on the side upon arrival in the PACU.
A patient arrives at the outpatient surgical center for a scheduled laparoscopy under general anesthesia. Which information requires the nurse's preoperative intervention to maintain patient safety? a. The patient has never had general anesthesia. b. The patient is planning to drive home after surgery. c. The patient had a sip of water 4 hours before arriving. d. The patient's insurance does not cover outpatient surgery.
The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.
After receiving a change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first? a. The patient who has multiple leg wounds with eschar to be debrided b. The patient receiving chemotherapy who has a temperature of 102° F c. The patient who requires analgesics before a scheduled dressing change d. The newly admitted patient with a stage IV pressure ulcer on the coccyx
The patient receiving chemotherapy who has a temperature of 102° F
Which information in the preoperative patient's medication history is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. The patient takes garlic capsules every day. b. The patient quit using cocaine 10 years ago. c. The patient took a prescribed sedative the previous night. d. The patient uses acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches and pains.
The patient takes garlic capsules every day.
The nurse notes that a patient's open abdominal wound widens as it extends deeper into the abdomen. How would the nurse document this characteristic? a. Eschar b. Slough c. Maceration d. Undermining
Undermining
Which statement, if made by a new circulating nurse, reflects understanding of the circulating nurse role? a. "I will assist in preparing the operating room for the patient." b. "I will don sterile gloves to obtain items from the unsterile field." c. "I will remain gloved while performing activities in the sterile field." d. "I will assist with suturing of incisions and maintaining hemostasis as needed."
"I will assist in preparing the operating room for the patient."
A patient scheduled to undergo total knee replacement surgery under general anesthesia asks the nurse, "Will the doctor put me to sleep with a mask over my face?" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "Only your surgeon can tell you what method of anesthesia will be used." b. "I will check with the anesthesia care provider to find out what is planned." c. "General anesthesia is now given by injecting drugs into your veins, so you will not need a mask over your face." d. "Masks are no longer used for anesthesia. A tube will be inserted into your throat to deliver gas that will put you to sleep."
"I will check with the anesthesia care provider to find out what is planned."
A patient scheduled for an elective hysterectomy tells the nurse, "I am afraid that I will die in surgery like my mother did!" Which initial response by the nurse is appropriate? a. "Surgical techniques have improved in recent years." b. "Tell me more about what happened to your mother." c. "You will receive medication to reduce your anxiety." d. "You should talk to the doctor again about the surgery."
"Tell me more about what happened to your mother."
The nurse assesses a patient on the second postoperative day after abdominal surgery to repair a perforated duodenal ulcer. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the surgeon? a. Tympanic temperature 99.2° F (37.3° C) b. Fine crackles audible at both lung bases c. Redness and swelling along the suture line d. 200 mL sanguineous fluid in the wound drain
200 mL sanguineous fluid in the wound drain
The surgical unit nurse has just received a patient with a history of smoking from the postanesthesia care unit. Which action is most important at this time? a. Auscultate for adventitious breath sounds. b. Obtain the blood pressure and temperature. c. Remind the patient about harmful effects of smoking. d. Ask the health care provider to prescribe a nicotine patch.
Auscultate for adventitious breath sounds.
Which action by the nurse will be most helpful to a patient who is expected to ambulate, deep breathe, and cough on the first postoperative day? a. Schedule the activity to begin after the patient has taken a nap. b. Administer prescribed analgesic medications before the activities. c. Ask the patient to state two possible complications of immobility. d. Encourage the patient to state the purpose of splinting the incision
Administer prescribed analgesic medications before the activities.
A patient who had knee surgery received IV ketorolac 30 minutes ago and continues to complain of pain at a level of 7 (0 to 10 scale). Which action is most effective for the nurse to take at this time? a. Administer the prescribed PRN IV morphine sulfate. b. Notify the health care provider about the ongoing pain. c. Reassure the patient that postoperative pain is expected after knee surgery. d. Teach the patient that the effects of ketorolac typically last about 6 to 8 hours.
Administer the prescribed PRN IV morphine sulfate.
While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high fever after surgery. What action by the nurse is a priority? a. Place a medical alert sticker on the front of the patient's chart. b. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction to surgery. c. Give 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per rectum as a preventive measure. d. Reassure the patient that his temperature will be closely monitored after surgery.
Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction to surgery.
A patient who has not had any prior surgeries tells the nurse doing the preoperative assessment about allergies to avocados and bananas. Which action is most important for the nurse to take? a. Notify the dietitian about the specific food allergies. b. Alert the surgery center about a possible latex allergy. c. Reassure the patient that all allergies are noted on the health record. d. Ask whether the patient uses antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions.
Alert the surgery center about a possible latex allergy.
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking oral corticosteroids for 2 years. Which nursing action is most likely to detect early signs of infection in this patient? a. Monitor white blood cell counts. b. Check the skin for areas of redness. c. Measure the temperature every 2 hours. d. Ask about feelings of fatigue or malaise.
Ask about feelings of fatigue or malaise.
A patient who has begun to awaken after 30 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) is restless and shouting at the nurse. The patient's oxygen saturation is 96%, and recent laboratory results are all normal. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Increase the IV fluid rate. b. Assess for bladder distention. c. Notify the anesthesia care provider (ACP). d. Demonstrate the use of the nurse call bell button
Assess for bladder distention.
The nasogastric (NG) tube is removed on the second postoperative day, and the patient is placed on a clear liquid diet. Four hours later, the patient complains of frequent, cramping gas pains. What action by the nurse is the most appropriate? a. Reinsert the NG tube. b. Give the PRN IV opioid. c. Assist the patient to ambulate. d. Place the patient on NPO status.
Assist the patient to ambulate.
Which actions will the nurse include in the surgical time-out procedure before surgery (select all that apply)? a. Check for patency of IV lines. b. Have the surgeon identify the patient. c. Have the patient state name and date of birth. d. Verify the patient identification band number e. Ask the patient to state the surgical procedure.
C,D,E
On admission of a patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the blood pressure (BP) is 122/72 mm Hg. Thirty minutes after admission, the BP is 114/62, with a pulse of 74 and warm, dry skin. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Increase the IV fluid rate. b. Notify the anesthesia care provider (ACP). c. Continue to take vital signs every 15 minutes. d. Administer oxygen therapy at 100% per mask.
Continue to take vital signs every 15 minutes.
Which topic is most important for the nurse to discuss preoperatively with a patient who is scheduled for an open cholecystectomy? a. Care for the surgical incision b. Deep breathing and coughing c. Oral antibiotic therapy after discharge d. Medications to be used during surgery
Deep breathing and coughing
An older patient is being discharged from the ambulatory surgical unit following left eye surgery. The patient tells the nurse, "I don't know if I can take care of myself once I'm home." Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Provide written instructions for the care. b. Assess the patient's home support system. c. Discuss specific concerns regarding self-care. d. Refer the patient for home health care services.
Discuss specific concerns regarding self-care.
The nurse obtains a health history from a patient who is scheduled for elective hip surgery in 1 week. The patient reports use of garlic and ginkgo biloba. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Teach the patient that these products may be continued preoperatively. b. Advise the patient to stop the use of herbs and supplements at this time. c. Discuss the herb and supplement use with the patient's health care provider. d. Reassure the patient that there will be no interactions with anesthetic agents.
Discuss the herb and supplement use with the patient's health care provider.
The nurse assesses a patient's surgical wound on the first postoperative day and notes redness and warmth around the incision. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Obtain wound cultures. b. Document the assessment. c. Notify the health care provider. d. Assess the wound every 2 hours.
Document the assessment.
When caring for a patient the second postoperative day after abdominal surgery for removal of a large pancreatic cyst, the nurse obtains an oral temperature of 100.8° F (38.2° C). Which action should the nurse take next? a. Place ice packs in the patient's axillae. b. Have the patient use the incentive spirometer. c. Request an order for acetaminophen (Tylenol). d. Ask the health care provider to prescribe a different antibiotic.
Have the patient use the incentive spirometer.
Which action could the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who help to transport a patient to the clinical unit? a. Clarify the postoperative orders with the surgeon. b. Help with the transfer of the patient onto a stretcher. c. Document the appearance of the patient's incision in the chart. d. Provide hand off communication to the surgical unit charge nurse.
Help with the transfer of the patient onto a stretcher.
A patient undergoing an emergency appendectomy has been using St. John's wort to prevent depression. Which complication would the nurse expect in the postanesthesia care unit? a. Increased discomfort b. Increased blood pressure c. Increased anesthesia recovery time d. Increased postoperative wound bleeding
Increased anesthesia recovery time
The operating room nurse is providing orientation to a student nurse. Which action would the nurse list as a major responsibility of a scrub nurse? a. Document all patient care accurately. b. Label all specimens to send to the laboratory. c. Keep both hands above the operating table level. d. Take the patient to the postanesthesia recovery area.
Keep both hands above the operating table level.
Postoperatively, the nurse should monitor the patient who received inhalation anesthesia for which complication? a. Tachypnea c. Hypertension b. Myoclonus d. Laryngospasm
Laryngospasm
Which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider when caring for a patient who is receiving negative-pressure wound therapy? a. Low serum albumin level b. Serosanguineous drainage c. Deep red and moist wound bed d. Cobblestone appearance of wound
Low serum albumin level
The nurse is preparing to witness the patient signing the operative consent form when the patient says, "I don't understand what the doctor said about the surgery." Which action should the nurse take next? a. Provide a thorough explanation of the planned surgical procedure. b. Notify the surgeon that the informed consent process is not complete. c. Give the prescribed preoperative antibiotics and withhold sedative medications. d. Notify the operating room nurse to give a more complete explanation of the procedure.
Notify the surgeon that the informed consent process is not complete.
After receiving change-of-shift report about these postoperative patients, which patient should the nurse assess first? a. Obese patient who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago and whose wound edges are separating b. Patient who has 30 mL of sanguineous drainage in the wound drain 10 hours after hip replacement surgery c. Patient who has bibasilar crackles and a temperature of 100° F (37.8 °C) on the first postoperative day after chest surgery d. Patient who continues to have incisional pain 15 minutes after hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin) was given
Obese patient who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago and whose wound edges are separating
A patient with an open leg lesion has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 13,500/µL and a band count of 11%. What prescribed action should the nurse take first? a. Obtain cultures of the wound. b. Begin antibiotic administration. c. Continue to monitor the wound for drainage. d. Redress the wound with wet-to-dry dressings.
Obtain cultures of the wound.
A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours after return to the clinical unit. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Perform a bladder scan. b. Insert a straight catheter. c. Encourage increased oral fluid intake. d. Assist the patient to ambulate to the bathroom.
Perform a bladder scan.
The nurse assesses that the oxygen saturation is 89% in an unconscious patient who was transferred from surgery to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 15 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Suction the patient's mouth. b. Increase the oxygen flow rate. c. Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver. d. Elevate the patient's head on two pillows.
Perform the jaw-thrust maneuver
An older patient who had knee replacement surgery 2 days ago can only tolerate being out of bed with physical therapy twice a day. Which collaborative problem should the nurse identify as a priority for this patient? a. Potential complication: hypovolemic shock b. Potential complication: venous thromboembolism c. Potential complication: fluid and electrolyte imbalance d. Potential complication: impaired surgical wound healing
Potential complication: venous thromboembolism
3. A patient with a systemic bacterial infection feels cold and has a shaking chill. Which assessment finding will the nurse expect next? a. Skin flushing b. Muscle cramps c. Rising body temperature d. Decreasing blood pressure
Rising body temperature
The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes who had abdominal surgery 3 days ago. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider? a. Blood glucose of 136 mg/dL b. Oral temperature of 101° F (38.3° C) c. Separation of the proximal wound edges d. Patient complaint of increased incisional pain
Separation of the proximal wound edges
When admitting a patient with stage III pressure ulcers on both heels, which information obtained by the nurse will have the most impact on wound healing? a. The patient has had the heel ulcers for 6 months. b. The patient takes oral hypoglycemic agents daily. c. The patient states that the ulcers are very painful. d. The patient has several incisions that formed keloids
The patient takes oral hypoglycemic agents daily.
The nurse could delegate care of which patient to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)? a. The patient who reports increased tenderness and swelling around a leg wound b. The patient who was just admitted after suturing of a full-thickness arm wound c. The patient who needs teaching about home care for a draining abdominal wound d. The patient who requires a hydrocolloid dressing change for a stage III sacral ulcer
The patient who requires a hydrocolloid dressing change for a stage III sacral ulcer
The nurse interviews a patient scheduled to undergo general anesthesia for a bilateral hernia repair. Which information is most important to communicate to the surgeon and anesthesiologist before surgery? a. The patient's father died after general anesthesia for abdominal surgery. b. The patient drinks 3 cups of coffee every morning before going to work. c. The patient takes a baby aspirin daily but stopped taking aspirin 10 days ago. d. The patient drank 4 ounces of apple juice 3 hours before coming to the hospital.
The patient's father died after general anesthesia for abdominal surgery.
A 38-yr-old woman is admitted for an elective surgical procedure. Which information obtained by the nurse during the preoperative assessment is most important to communicate to the anesthesiologist and surgeon before surgery? a. The patient's lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control b. The patient's history of an infection following a cholecystectomy c. The patient's report that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago d. The patient's concern about being able to resume lifting heavy items
The patient's report that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago
. The nurse facilitates student clinical experiences in the surgical suite. Which action, if performed by a student, would require the nurse to intervene? a. The student wears a mask in the semirestricted area. b. The student wears street clothes in the semirestricted area. c. The student wears surgical scrubs in the semirestricted area. d. The student covers head and facial hair in the semirestricted area.
The student wears street clothes in the semirestricted area.
A patient in the surgical holding area is being prepared for a spinal fusion. Which action by a member of the surgical team requires immediate intervention by the charge nurse? a. Wearing street clothes into the nursing station b. Wearing a surgical mask into the holding room c. Walking into the hallway outside the operating room with hair uncovered d. Putting on a surgical mask, cap, and scrubs before entering the operating room
Walking into the hallway outside the operating room with hair uncovered
A patient in surgery receives a neuromuscular blocking agent as an adjunct to general anesthesia. While in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), what assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report? a. Lethargy b. Complaint of nausea c. Disorientation to time d. Weak chest movement
Weak chest movement
When caring for a preoperative patient on the day of surgery, which actions included in the plan of care can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) (select all that apply)? a. Teach incentive spirometer use. b. Explain routine preoperative care. c. Obtain and document baseline vital signs. d. Remove nail polish and apply pulse oximeter. e. Transport the patient by stretcher to the operating room.
c,d,e
The nurse working in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) notes that a patient who has just been transported from the operating room is shivering and has a temperature of 96.5° F (35.8° C). Which action should the nurse take next? a. Notify the anesthesia care provider. b. Cover the patient with a warm blanket. c. Avoid giving opioid analgesics until the patient is warmer. d. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg suppository rectally
Cover the patient with a warm blanket.
A patient's T-tube is draining dark green fluid after gallbladder surgery. What action by the nurse is the most appropriate? a. Notify the patient's surgeon. b. Place the patient on bed rest. c. Document the color and amount of drainage. d. Irrigate the T-tube with sterile normal saline.
Document the color and amount of drainage
A patient arrives in the emergency department with a swollen ankle after a soccer injury. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Elevate the ankle above heart level. b. Apply a warm moist pack to the ankle. c. Ask the patient to try bearing weight on the ankle. d. Assess the ankle's passive range of motion (ROM).
Elevate the ankle above heart level.
In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), a patient's vital signs are blood pressure 116/72 mm Hg, pulse 74 beats/min, respirations 12 breaths/min, and SpO2 91%. The patient is sleepy but awakens easily. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Place the patient in a side-lying position. b. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths. c. Prepare to transfer the patient to a clinical unit. d. Increase the rate of the postoperative IV fluids.
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
Which action should the perioperative nurse take to best protect the patient from burn injury during surgery? a. Ensure correct placement of the grounding pad. b. Check emergency sprinklers in the operating room. c. Verify that a fire extinguisher is available during surgery. d. Confirm that all electrosurgical equipment is working properly.
Ensure correct placement of the grounding pad.
A patient who has diabetes is admitted for an exploratory laparotomy for abdominal pain. When planning interventions to promote wound healing, what is the nurse's highest priority? a. Maintaining the patient's blood glucose within a normal range b. Ensuring that the patient has an adequate dietary protein intake c. Giving antipyretics to keep the temperature less than 102° F (38.9° C) d. Redressing the surgical incision with a dry, sterile dressing twice daily
Maintaining the patient's blood glucose within a normal range
Which nursing action should the operating room (OR) nurse manager delegate to the registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) when caring for a surgical patient? a. Adjust the doses of administered anesthetics. b. Make surgical incisions and suture as needed. c. Provide postoperative teaching about coughing. d. Coordinate transfer of the patient to the operating table.
Make surgical incisions and suture as needed.
When caring for a patient who has received a general anesthetic, the circulating nurse notes red, raised wheals on the patient's arms. Which action should the nurse take? a. Apply lotion to the affected areas. b. Cover the arms with sterile drapes. c. Recheck the patient's arms during surgery. d. Notify the anesthesia care practitioner (ACP)
Notify the anesthesia care practitioner (ACP)
A postoperative patient has a nursing diagnosis of ineffective airway clearance. The nurse determines that interventions for this nursing diagnosis have been successful if which is observed? a. Patient drinks 2 to 3 L of fluid in 24 hours. b. Patient uses the spirometer 10 times every hour. c. Patient's breath sounds are clear to auscultation. d. Patient's temperature is less than 100.2°F orally.
Patient's breath sounds are clear to auscultation.
Which action will the perioperative nurse take after surgery is completed for a patient who received ketamine as an anesthetic agent? a. Question the order for giving a benzodiazepine. b. Ensure that atropine is available in case of bradycardia. c. Provide a quiet environment in the postanesthesia care unit. d. Anticipate the need for higher than usual doses of analgesic agents.
Provide a quiet environment in the postanesthesia care unit.
A patient from a long-term care facility is admitted to the hospital with a sacral pressure ulcer. The base of the wound involves subcutaneous tissue. How should the nurse classify this pressure ulcer? a. Stage I b. Stage c. Stage IIIII d. Stage IV
Stage III
Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is going to be used for a closed, manual reduction of a dislocated shoulder. What action does the nurse anticipate? a. Starting an IV in the patient's unaffected arm b. Securing an airtight fit for the inhalation mask c. Preparing for placement of an epidural catheter d. Giving deep sedation under physician supervision.
Starting an IV in the patient's unaffected arm
A patient who is scheduled for a therapeutic abortion tells the nurse, "Having an abortion is wrong." Which functional health pattern should the nurse further assess? a. Value-belief b. Cognitive-perceptual c. Sexuality-reproductive d. Coping-stress tolerance
Value-belief
Which data identified during the preoperative assessment alerts the nurse that special protection techniques should be implemented during surgery? a. Stated allergy to cats and dogs b. History of spinal and hip arthritis c. Verbalization of anxiety by the patient d. Having a sip of water 3 hours previously
History of spinal and hip arthritis
A patient's 4 3-cm leg wound has a 0.4-cm black area in the center of the wound surrounded by yellow-green semiliquid material. Which dressing should the nurse apply to the wound? a. Dry gauze dressing b. Nonadherent dressing c. Hydrocolloid dressing d. Transparent film dressing
Hydrocolloid dressing
A patient who has diabetes and uses insulin to control blood glucose has been NPO since midnight before having a knee replacement surgery. Which action should the nurse take? a. Withhold the usual scheduled insulin dose because the patient is NPO. b. Obtain a blood glucose measurement before any insulin administration. c. Give the patient the usual insulin dose because stress will increase the blood glucose. d. Give half the usual dose of insulin because there will be no oral intake before surgery.
Obtain a blood glucose measurement before any insulin administration.
Five minutes after receiving the ordered preoperative midazolam by IV injection, the patient asks to get up to go to the bathroom to urinate. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Assist the patient to the bathroom. b. Offer the patient a urinal or bedpan. c. Ask the patient to wait until the drug has been fully metabolized. d. Tell the patient that a bladder catheter will be placed in the operating room.
Offer the patient a urinal or bedpan.
Which action in the perioperative patient plan of care can the charge nurse delegate to a surgical technologist? a. Teach the patient about what to expect in the operating room (OR). b. Pass sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon and scrub technician. c. Monitor and interpret the patient's echocardiogram (ECG) during surgery. d. Give the postoperative report to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse.
Pass sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon and scrub technician
The nurse plans to provide preoperative teaching to an alert older man who has hearing and vision deficits. His wife answers most questions that are directed to the patient. Which action should the nurse take when doing the teaching? a. Use printed materials for instruction so that the patient will have more time to review the material. b. Direct all the teaching toward the wife because she is the obvious support and caregiver for the patient. c. Provide additional time for the patient to understand preoperative instructions and carry out procedures. d. Ask the patient's wife to wait in the hall in order to focus preoperative teaching with the patient himself.
Provide additional time for the patient to understand preoperative instructions and carry out procedures.
Which action best describes the role of the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) on the surgical care team? a. Performs the same responsibilities as the anesthesiologist. b. Gives intraoperative anesthetics ordered by the anesthesiologist. c. Releases or discharges patients from the postanesthesia care area. d. Manages a patient's airway under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist.
Releases or discharges patients from the postanesthesia care area.
A patient who takes a diuretic and a -blocker to control blood pressure is scheduled for breast reconstruction surgery. Which patient information is most important to communicate to the health care provider before surgery? a. Hematocrit 36% b. Blood pressure 144/82 c. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L d. Pulse rate 54-58 beats/minute
Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L