Question 1

The student nurse does an operating room rotation and notes that many clients receive succinylcholine (Quelicin). The student nurse asks the nursing instructor how the drug works. What is the best response by the nursing instructor?

Accepted Answer

Succinylcholine (Quelicin) is a neuromuscular blocking agent. It paralyzes skeletal muscles and can cause respiratory arrest, making it necessary to provide assisted ventilation until the medication wears off. It has no impact on cardiac muscles and does not cause loss of consciousness. However, clients receiving succinylcholine should be monitored closely with ECG and other vital sign measurements.

Question 2

The client is in Stage 2 of general anesthesia. What are the priority nursing interventions at this time?

Accepted Answer

During Stage 2 of general anesthesia, the client experiences increased muscle tone, irregular breathing, and may even have involuntary movements. Keeping the environment quiet and calm can help reduce the client's anxiety and prevent any further complications. Inserting the Foley catheter, completing the surgical scrub, or assisting the anesthesiologist in repositioning the client can wait until the client is in a more stable state.

Question 3

The client has entered Stage 3 of general anesthesia, known as surgical anesthesia. What will the best assessment of the nurse reveal?

Accepted Answer

In Stage 3 of general anesthesia, known as surgical anesthesia, the body is fully relaxed, and respiration is stable. Eye movements are slow, and the patient has lost general sensation. The medulla region of the brain is not paralyzed, and heart rate and breathing are regular in this stage. Therefore, the best assessment of the nurse would reveal relaxation, stable respiration, and slow eye movements.

Question 4

The client has gastroesophageal reflux disease and receives lidocaine viscous prior to an endoscopy. What will the best assessment of the nurse include immediately after the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Lidocaine viscous is a local anesthetic that is used to numb the throat and suppress the gag reflex during an endoscopy. After the procedure, the nurse should assess for a return of the gag reflex to ensure that it has fully returned before allowing the client to swallow or eat. Assessing for nausea, vomiting, or headache may also be important, but assessing for the return of the gag reflex is the priority. Assessing for damage to the teeth or gums is not a priority in this case.

Question 5

The client is requesting pain medication during labour. The physician orders Nitrous oxide. The client asks if it will hurt her baby. The most appropriate response by the nurses is: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Nitrous oxide is considered safe for use during labor and delivery, and low to moderate doses produce few adverse side effects. However, it does cross the placenta, but it is not known to cause harm to the baby when used appropriately.

Question 6

Which client is most likely to experience an adverse reaction to inhalation anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Older clients with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk for adverse reactions to inhalation anesthesia. Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a cardiovascular disease that increases the risk of complications during anesthesia.

Question 7

A pregnant woman has a malignant melanoma on her leg, and will need surgery. She is concerned about anesthesia. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, local anesthesia is used for a melanoma surgery on the leg, and it does not pose a risk to the baby as it does not cross the placenta. Epidural anesthesia may also be an option, but it depends on the location of the melanoma. General anesthesia carries a higher risk but can be used in emergencies. However, there are no specific general anesthetics that are considered 100% safe during pregnancy. Inhalation anesthetics are not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy when the baby's organs are forming.

Question 8

The client has a serious laceration to the arm. The client receives a local anesthetic mixed with epinephrine prior to suturing. What does the nurse recognize as the rationale for the epinephrine?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The client has a serious laceration to...

Question 9

The client is scheduled for a surgical procedure. The nurse plans to teach the client about anesthesia. Which statement would be included in the best plan of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best plan for teaching the client about anesthesia would include explaining the two main types of anesthesia - intravenous (IV) and inhaled. Option B correctly explains that an IV agent is used first to induce sleep, followed by an inhaled agent. This is typically the case for general anesthesia. Option A is incorrect as it suggests that an IV agent is all that is required, which is not always the case. Option C is incorrect as it suggests that an inhaled agent needs to be followed by an IV agent, which may not always be necessary. Option D is also incorrect as it suggests that an inhaled agent is used to induce sleep, which is not typically the case for general anesthesia.

Question 10

The nurse teaches the client about the correct use of a topical anesthetic for a skin condition. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement(s)? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The client understands the correct use of the topical anesthetic by stating that they must wash their hands before touching their eyes (B) and that the lotion should only be used on small areas of skin (E).

Question 11

What does the nurse recognize as the most dangerous adverse effect of inhalation anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of inhalation anesthesia, characterized by hypermetabolism, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia. It requires immediate intervention and treatment to prevent serious complications or death. Increased intracranial pressure, hypertension, and ventricular tachycardia may also occur with inhalation anesthesia, but they are not as immediately life-threatening as malignant hyperthermia.

Question 12

The client receives succinylcholine (Quelicin). What will be a priority assessment by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The priority assessment by the nurse for a client receiving succinylcholine would be the possibility of respiratory paralysis, as it is a known side effect of the medication. Anaphylactic shock, delirium, and spontaneous bleeding are not common side effects of succinylcholine.

Question 13

The client has received halothane (Fluothane) anesthesia. What common concern will the nurse assess in the client?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The client has received halothane (Fluothane) anesthesia....

Question 14

The nursing instructor teaches the nursing students about the advantages of the newer local anesthetics, such as lidocaine (Xylocaine). What will the best plan of the nursing instructor include? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Amides, such as lidocaine, have fewer side effects and tend to last longer than ester-type anesthetics.

Question 15

The 2 -year -old child comes to the emergency department with a laceration to the lower leg. The physician plans to use a local anesthetic, but the child screams at the sight of the needle. What is the best action by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Rubbing a local anesthetic cream on the skin will make the child more comfortable and reduce the pain and distress caused by the needle. The other options, restraining the child or administering a medication, may cause additional trauma and distress to the child. Asking the parents to leave may also increase the child's anxiety and fear.

Quiz 20: Drugs for Local and General Anesthesia

The student nurse does an operating room rotation and notes that many clients receive succinylcholine (Quelicin) . The student nurse asks the nursing instructor how the drug works. What is the best response by the nursing instructor?