Question 1

A patient expresses fear about the upcoming surgical procedure by saying to the perioperative tech, "I've never been under the knife before, what if I don't wake up?" The tech's best response would be:

A)"That is a common feeling among people who are getting ready for surgery. Tell me more about your concerns with anesthesia."
B)"There is nothing to worry about. Your physician and the anesthesiologist have years of experience."
C)"You should talk with your family members about this. They are the ones who will be supporting you when you wake up."
D)"I know what you mean. I had surgery last year and I was so frightened. It was terrible."

"That is a common feeling among people who are getting ready for surgery. Tell me more about your concerns with anesthesia."

Accepted Answer

The tech should respond in a reassuring manner by saying "That is a common feeling among people who are getting ready for surgery. Tell me more about your concerns with anesthesia." This response validates the patient's fears about surgery instead of dismissing them. It also gives the patient the opportunity to further discuss specific concerns so the tech may offer comfort and reassurance.

Question 2

A patient infected with MRSA is admitted to the preoperative unit of the hospital. Which of the following actions should the perioperative tech include as part of this patient's plan of care?&#10;A)Limit the amount of time the patient is transported through the area and only move them when absolutely necessary.&#10;B)Implement a unit-based screening program to detect the presence of MRSA among healthcare workers in the area.&#10;C)Contact the physician about postponing the patient's surgery until they have received appropriate treatment for their condition.&#10;D)Separate the patient into a negative-pressure hospital room.

Accepted Answer

The perioperative tech caring for the patient with MRSA infection should limit the amount of time the patient is transported through the area and only move them when absolutely necessary. This process reduces the potential for infection of other patients or healthcare workers in the vicinity. This infection is spread through contact, so the perioperative tech should take effective precautions such as personal protective barriers and strict hand washing.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions must the tech consider as a potential cause for complications during the postoperative period?&#10;A)Age between 20 and 40 years&#10;B)A history of organ transplant&#10;C)A surgical procedure that lasted 2 &#189; hours&#10;D)Both A and C

Accepted Answer

A history of an organ transplant is a condition the tech must consider as a potential cause for complications during the postoperative period. This type of patient may be more likely to have immunosuppression after transplant surgery, putting them at risk of infection. Taking a thorough patient history and understanding the patient's clinical status can better prepare the tech to care for this type of patient and reduce complications following surgery.

Question 4

When assessing nutritional status for a patient's plan of care, the tech should consider which laboratory value that may indicate altered nutrition?&#10;A)Hemoglobin&#10;B)Serum albumin&#10;C)Arterial blood gas&#10;D)Platelet count

Accepted Answer

When assessing nutritional status for a patient's plan of care, the tech should consider the serum albumin level, which may be an indication of altered nutrition. Low serum albumin levels may indicate a protein deficiency. The patient may not be getting enough nutrients through their diet to maintain adequate levels of albumin and the tech may need to further assess the patient's nutritional status on admission.

Question 5

Which of the following is true about the effects of pain on specific body systems?&#10;A)Pain may cause patient anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.&#10;B)Pain may cause increased levels of insulin secretion.&#10;C)Pain may cause a decrease in cortisol production.&#10;D)Both A and B

Accepted Answer

The patient who is experiencing pain may develop a negative psychological response, leading to anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Pain has multiple effects on body systems that must be assessed and documented as part of the patient's care plan, and effective pain control measures are necessary to produce optimal outcomes. Some other ways that pain can affect body systems include an increase in cortisol production and a decrease in insulin.

Deck 6: IPC Outcomes