Deck 26: Care of the Surgical Patient

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of a surgical patient?

A) the patient in the surgical intensive care unit
B) the patient having surgery
C) the patient in a preoperative care unit
D) all of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a normal goal of preoperative care?

A) to reduce anxiety and fears
B) to ask questions about the patient's health status
C) to prepare the patient for surgery
D) to send all urine for lab tests

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which statement about preoperative care is correct?

A) The psychosocial needs of a patient are not a concern prior to surgery.
B) Preoperative care involves the preparation and management of a patient.
C) You will always prepare the skin the night before surgery.
D) Encourage the patient to cough, turn, and breathe deeply to prevent respiratory problems from developing.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a common concern or worry for the patient having surgery?

A) fear of the roommate
B) fear of the unknown
C) concern for being off work
D) possibility of death

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT important when preparing a surgical bed?

A) tissues available at bedside
B) emesis bowl at bedside
C) IV pole in the room
D) head of the bed upright

Question 6

When the patient comes back from the surgery what should you NOT do without checking with the nurse?

A) Take the patient's vital signs
B) Raise the side rails
C) Help move the patient off the stretcher into bed
D) Give the patient some water

Question 7

It is NOT uncommon for postoperative patients to

A) have cyanotic lips.
B) experience sudden bright red bleeding.
C) experience nausea.
D) none of the above

Question 8

Signal for your supervisor immediately if you notice that a postoperative patient is

A) repeatedly thirsty.
B) choking.
C) moaning.
D) all of the above

Question 9

Unless you are instructed NOT to do so, you should move a postoperative patient into a new position at least every

A) 2 hours.
B) hour.
C) half hour.
D) 4 hours.

Question 10

Vaginal prep is the preparation of the genital area of the female patient for surgery.

Question 11

Preparation of the genital area of male patients is called genital prep.

Question 12

An anesthetic may be given rectally or orally.

Question 13

The nurse anesthetist is a Registered Nurse who assists in administering the anesthetic to the patient in the operating room.

Question 14

When turning the postoperative patient every 2 hours, you should also move the patient's legs.

Question 15

A spinal anesthetic causes loss of feeling in a large area of the body, usually from the umbilicus down to and including the legs and feet.

Question 16

Smoking tends to irritate the whole respiratory system and may increase the secretion of mucous, which may increase the risk of chest complications postoperatively.

Question 17

Patients never vomit while they are still unconscious after surgery.

Question 18

As patients awake from anesthesia, calling them by their first name reassures them that someone who knows them is present.

Question 19

Sudden, bright-red bleeding is normal following surgery.

Question 20

Cyanosis is common on the lips of postoperative patients.

Question 21

Sudden changes in the postoperative patient should be reported immediately when observed.

Question 22

Unconsciousness and inactivity during anesthesia allows mucous to accumulate in the patient's respiratory passages.

Question 23

Your postoperative patient is experiencing nausea. Since this is a common reaction after surgery, you do NOT need to report this to your supervisor.