Question 1

A patient scheduled for a nephrectomy states that the surgeon said this surgery is considered a "curative procedure." Which responses should the nurse make to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Curative surgery removes diseased or abnormal tissue.B.C.Diagnostic or exploratory surgery takes tissue samples for study to make a diagnosis,uses scopes to look into areas of the body,or involves an incision to open an area of the body for examination.A.Palliative surgery alleviates symptoms.

Question 2

The nurse answers a patient's call light and finds the patient sitting up in bed with a wound evisceration.What action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

For evisceration,first place the patient in low Fowler's position with flexed knees.D.Then cover the wound with sterile dressings or towels moistened with warm sterile normal saline.A.Notify the physician immediately.B.Apply gentle pressure over the wound,and keep the patient still and calm.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery.Which outcome should the nurse identify as being the most important to address the nursing diagnosis of Pain related to surgical incision?

Accepted Answer

The outcome for the nursing diagnosis of Pain is met if the patient reports a satisfactory relief of pain.A.C.D.These actions may help achieve pain relief however do not necessary support the overall outcome.

Question 4

A patient who is NPO (nothing by mouth)for scheduled surgery has been on long-term oral steroid therapy and should receive a dose of Prednisone 10 mg by mouth at 0600.Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Patients on chronic oral steroid therapy cannot abruptly stop their medication even though they are told to take nothing by mouth before or after surgery.Serious complications,such as circulatory collapse,can develop if steroids are stopped abruptly.The RN should be notified and will need to clarify the medication with the physician.It is anticipated that the physician will order the patient's steroid therapy to be given by a parenteral route as the patient is NPO.B.Asking the patient why the medication has been prescribed does not address the problem.C.The nurse cannot provide the medication since the patient is prescribed to be NPO.D.Pharmacists cannot convert oral steroid doses to IV doses without an order from the physician.

Question 5

The nurse is planning to witness an adult patient's consent for a knee arthroscopy.What should the nurse confirm before witnessing the consent?

Accepted Answer

It is essential as part of ensuring that the consent is correct that the nurse verify the surgical procedure and correct site,especially right or left,are correctly written on the consent.B.C.D.This information is not necessary to know before witnessing a patient sign a consent form.

Question 6

A patient recovering from surgery becomes restless,has a drop in blood pressure,increase in heart rate,and is breathing at a rate of 30 per minute.Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing a complication and must be carefully monitored to ensure that a patent airway is maintained.A.Then vital signs can be obtained.C.The physician should be notified.D.If appropriate,the family can be notified of the change in patient's condition.

Question 7

A patient is prescribed to receive morphine sulfate 8 mg intramuscularly (IM)prior to surgery.The medication available is 10 mg/mL.How many milliliters should the nurse give to the patient?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient who had spinal anesthesia.Which effect from spinal anesthesia may influence the safety of the patient when getting out of bed for the first time after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Hypotension results from sympathetic blockade causing vasodilation,which reduces venous return to the heart and therefore reduces cardiac output.Postural hypotension may occur if the patient rises too rapidly,creating a risk for falling.B.C.D.Spinal anesthesia does not cause hypertension,hypo- or hyper-ventilation.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled fora liver biopsy.For which category of surgical procedures should the nurse plan care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic surgery takes tissue samples for study to make a diagnosis.D.Preventive surgery removes tissue before it causes a problem.A.Curative surgery removes diseased or abnormal tissue.B.Palliative surgery alleviates symptoms.

Question 10

The nurse identifies the diagnosis of ineffective airway clearance as appropriate for a patient recovering from surgery.Which outcome should the nurse identify for this patient?

Accepted Answer

To clear the airway,effective coughing and deep breathing are needed,and demonstration is the best method for verifying correct technique.A.B.D.These actions will not clear the airway.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery.When the patient is permitted to get out of bed for the first time postoperatively,which measure should the nurse take to ensure patient safety?

Accepted Answer

When getting out of bed for the first time after surgery,the patient might be weak and dizzy.The patient should be instructed to request help and not get up alone.B.C.D.Then one or two health care workers can assist the patient to put on nonskid slippers and dangle before standing to prevent falls.

Question 12

A patient scheduled for surgery the next morning is withdrawn,sad and states a fear of the surgery.How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The word surgery causes a common emotional reaction in patients.The nurse who understands this can reassure the patient that this is normal and then ask an open-ended question to collect data about this fear to determine what should be done next.B.D.The nurse should not provide false reassurance to the patient.A.This answer is not therapeutic in that it does not explore and identify what is concerning the patient for possible intervention.

Question 13

A patient scheduled for surgery is to receive anesthesia that causes a total loss of sensation and a complete loss of consciousness.What term should the nurse use to document this patient's type of anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

General anesthesia causes the patient to lose sensation,consciousness,and reflexes.A.B.C.These are all types of local anesthesia that do not cause total loss of sensation and a complete loss of consciousness.

Question 14

The nurse is assisting in the preparation of patients for surgery.Which patient should the nurse recognize as being in the best condition for surgery and at lower risk for complications?

Accepted Answer

Preoperative care focuses on helping the patient achieve the best possible surgical outcome by being in the healthiest possible condition for surgery.The 55-year-old patient who is a marathon runner is in the best condition for surgery due to exercise tolerance.A.C.D.Obesity,malnourishment,and smoking all adversely affect the outcome of surgery which could lead to complications.

Question 15

The nurse is contributing to the preoperative patient's plan of care.Which patient statement should alert the nurse to plan interventions to help prevent postoperative complications?

Accepted Answer

The patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could develop respiratory complications after surgery.This patient would benefit from learning deep breathing and coughing and how to use an incentive spirometer.A.B.D.These statements would not cause the patient to develop postoperative complications.

Question 16

The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for surgery.Which nursing action should the nurse use to address the patient's psychological concerns?

Accepted Answer

Allowing the patient to express concerns and ask questions so that the patient has correct information will assist in reducing client anxiety.B.Understandable terms should be used but are not the best action here to reduce anxiety.C.Allowing the patient to ask questions will reveal if general information is needed or if the surgeon needs to further explain information about the surgical procedure.In that case,the nurse would direct all surgical questions to the physician.D.The patient has the right to refuse information.

Question 17

The nurse is caring for a patient 23 hours after abdominal surgery.Which finding would require the nurse to take action?

Accepted Answer

Distention could indicate paralytic ileus which is a postoperative complication.A.B.D.These are normal postoperative findings.

Question 18

The nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a surgical patient.What should the nurse recognize as the most common human response to the stress associated with surgery?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or uneasiness resulting from the uncertainties and risks associated with surgery.A.Fear is a feeling of dread from a source known to the patient.This is an extreme reaction to surgery.C.D.Delirium and depression are not typical stress responses to surgery.

Question 19

A patient recovering from an abdominal hysterectomy is experiencing abdominal gas pain.Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

If gas pains occur,encourage ambulation,have patient lie prone,and pull the knees up to the chest to relieve pain.Encouraging early ambulation helps promote restoration of gastrointestinal (GI)functioning,which is the goal and will help relieve the gas pains.A.B.D.A hot beverage,extra blanket,or abdominal binder will not help relieve the patient's abdominal gas pains.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a patient who has developed an increased temperature during the first 24 hours postoperatively.Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Usually,increased temperature during the first 24 hours postoperatively indicates atelectasis if no other cause exists,so coughing and deep breathing should be encouraged to open the alveoli and prevent pneumonia.D.Range of motion exercises will not affect the temperature.B.Antipyretic medication does not affect the cause.A.Fluids should be encouraged as ordered,as dehydration can increase temperature.

Quiz 12: Nursing Care of Patients Having Surgery