Deck 20: Drugs for Local and General Anesthesia

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?

A) "The client will need to be monitored with an electrocardiogram (ECG)."
B) "The client's cardiac muscle will be impacted as well as the respiratory muscles."
C) "The client will need assistance with breathing; it paralyzes respiratory muscles."
D) "The client will rapidly lose consciousness when this drug is administered."

Answer 1

"The client will need assistance with breathing; it paralyzes respiratory muscles."

Question 2

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

A) Keep the environment quiet and calm.
B) Insert the Foley catheter.
C) Complete the surgical scrub.
D) Assist the anesthesiologist in repositioning the client.

Answer 2

Keep the environment quiet and calm.

Question 3

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

A) the medulla region of the brain is paralyzed
B) heart rate and breathing become irregular
C) relaxation, stable respiration, and slow eye movements
D) eye movements are slow, and general sensation is lost.

Answer 3

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?

A) Assess for nausea and vomiting.
B) Assess for any damage to the teeth or gums.
C) Assess for a return of the gag reflex.
D) Assess for a headache.

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.

A) "Nitrous oxide is considered safe for use in labour and delivery."
B) "Low to moderate doses of nitrous oxide produce few adverse side effects."
C) "Nitrous oxide can has the potential for addiction and abuse."
D) "Nitrous oxide does not cross the placenta or blood -brain barrier."

Question 6

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

A) a 15 -year -old with diabetes mellitus
B) a 79 -year -old with arteriosclerosis
C) a 6 -year -old with no chronic health problems
D) a 55 -year -old with a serious neck injury

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?

A) "You will most likely have local anesthesia; this will not affect your baby."
B) "You will probably have an epidural, and this won't harm your baby."
C) "There are newer general anesthetics available that are safe for your baby."
D) "Inhalation anesthetics are safe because they remain in your lungs."

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?

A) constricted blood vessels will extend the duration of action of the drug.
B) constricted blood vessels will decrease the amount of pain experienced.
C) constricted blood vessels will result in decreased bleeding.
D) constricted blood vessels will promote relaxation of the client.

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?

A) "An intravenous (IV) agent to induce sleep is usually all that is required."
B) "An intravenous (IV) agent will be used first to induce sleep; then, an inhaled agent will be used."
C) "An inhaled agent needs to be followed by an intravenous (IV) agent if it is ineffective."
D) "An inhaled agent is used to induce sleep, followed by an intravenous (IV) agent for relaxation."

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.

A) "It's all right to use a lotion after the expiration date."
B) "I must wash my hands before touching my eyes."
C) "I must wear gloves when I apply the lotion."
D) "This lotion works well on cuts too."
E) "This lotion should only be used on small areas of skin."

Question 11

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

A) malignant hyperthermia
B) increased intracranial pressure
C) hypertension
D) ventricular tachycardia

Question 12

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

A) respiratory paralysis
B) anaphylactic shock
C) delirium
D) spontaneous bleeding

Question 13

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

A) dysrhythmia
B) hypotension
C) malignant hyperthermia
D) hypertension

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.

A) Amides block potassium entry into the cell.
B) Amides are similar in structure to cocaine.
C) Amides have fewer side effects than esters.
D) Amides block calcium entry into the cell.
E) Amides tend to last longer than esters.

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?

A) Wrap the child in a blanket to restrain him and ensure safety during suturing.
B) Administer a small dose of a medication such as lorazepam (Ativan).
C) Rub a local anesthetic cream on the skin so the child will not feel the needle.
D) Ask the parents to leave the room so the child will quiet down.