Deck 27: General Anesthetics

Question 1

A postoperative patient is reporting pain as a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain. The nurse caring for the patient assesses vital signs of HR, 76; RR, 16; and BP, 110/70. The patient has vomited twice. Which postoperative medications will the nurse expect to administer?

A) Atropine and morphine
B) Bethanechol and ibuprofen
C) Morphine and ondansetron [Zofran]
D) Promethazine and clonidine [Catapres]

Answer 1

Morphine and ondansetron [Zofran]

Question 2

A patient in the postanesthesia recovery unit received ketamine [Ketalar] for right open reduction internal fixation surgery. What drug would be beneficial as a premedication to help minimize adverse reactions?

A) Methohexital [Brevital]
B) Sevoflurane [Ultane]
C) Atropine [Sal-Tropine]
D) Diazepam [Valium]

Answer 2

Diazepam [Valium]

Question 3

A patient is given nitrous oxide, along with another inhalation anesthetic. The nurse knows that the benefits of nitrous oxide include what?

A) It is a potent analgesic.
B) It has high anesthetic potency.
C) It is less likely to cause nausea and vomiting.
D) It is less likely to precipitate malignant hyperthermia.
E) It can significantly reduce the dose of inhalation anesthetic.

Answer 3

It is a potent analgesic.
It is less likely to precipitate malignant hyperthermia.
It can significantly reduce the dose of inhalation anesthetic.

Question 4

An anesthesiologist completes preoperative teaching for a patient the night before surgery. The patient asks the nurse to clarify the reason methohexital [Brevital] will be given as an adjunct to the anesthetic. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding?

A) "Brevital allows a larger amount of inhaled anesthetic to be used without increased side effects."
B) "Brevital is given to enhance the analgesic and muscle relaxation effects of the inhaled anesthetic."
C) "Brevital is used to produce rapid unconsciousness before administration of the inhaled anesthetic."
D) "Brevital is used to reduce cardiovascular and respiratory depression caused by the inhaled anesthetic."

Question 5

A patient receives a neuromuscular blocking agent as an adjunct to inhalation anesthesia. When caring for this patient, it is important for the nurse to remember that neuromuscular blocking agents:

A) cause vagal slowing of the heart.
B) increase the required dose of inhalation anesthetics.
C) increase the depth of unconsciousness.
D) prevent contraction of the diaphragm.

Question 6

A patient will receive intravenous midazolam [Versed] combined with fentanyl while undergoing an endoscopic procedure. The nurse is explaining the reasons for this to a nursing student before the procedure. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of the teaching?

A) "The patient may appear anxious and restless during the procedure."
B) "The patient will be unconscious during the procedure."
C) "The patient will not need cardiorespiratory support during the procedure."
D) "The patient will not remember the procedure."

Question 7

A surgical nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving isoflurane [Forane]. Which is true about this inhalation anesthetic?

A) Patients receiving isoflurane will not require mechanical ventilation.
B) Postoperative nausea and vomiting are greater with isoflurane than with other inhalation anesthetics.
C) Propofol is used for induction to minimize cough prior to administering isoflurane.
D) This drug promotes greater relaxation of skeletal muscle than other inhalation anesthetics.

Question 8

A nurse administers atropine to a patient before induction of anesthesia for a surgical procedure. When evaluating the effects of this medication, the nurse will:

A) assess for excessive bronchial secretions.
B) expect a reduction in the patient's anxiety.
C) monitor the patient's heart rate.
D) observe for muscle paralysis.

Question 9

A surgical patient is receiving succinylcholine [Anectine] with an inhalation anesthetic. The patient is intubated, has an indwelling urinary catheter, and has ongoing monitoring of vital signs. Which symptom during the perioperative period is cause for concern?

A) Elevated temperature
B) Increased urine output
C) Muscle paralysis
D) No response to painful stimuli

Question 10

A preoperative patient receives atropine before induction of anesthesia. The nurse caring for this patient understands that this agent is used to prevent:

A) anxiety.
B) bradycardia.
C) dry mouth.
D) hypertension.

Question 11

A postoperative patient complains of abdominal bloating and discomfort. The nurse caring for this patient will contact the provider to request which medication?

A) Bethanechol
B) Droperidol
C) Promethazine
D) Ondansetron

Question 12

The nurse cares for patients who receive propofol extended [Diprivan]. What are important nursing considerations for these patients?

A) Ensuring that respiratory support equipment is readily available
B) Maintaining the rate of intravenous infusion at 6 mg/kg/hr
C) Refrigerating open vials of the drug up to 24 hours
D) Stopping the infusion if a patient's CPK is greater than 5000 units/L
E) Using a local anesthetic at the IV site prior to infusing the drug

Question 13

A nurse is teaching nursing students about inhalation anesthesia and asks, "What is balanced anesthesia?" Which response by a student is correct?

A) "An anesthesia that has a brief induction period with a rapid emergence from its effects"
B) "An inhalation anesthesia that produces both muscle relaxation and unconsciousness"
C) "An anesthesia that provides maximum analgesia with minimal respiratory side effects"
D) "An anesthesia that combines other drugs with inhalation anesthesia to produce the desired effects"

Question 14

A nurse caring for a patient after a cesarean section learns that the patient received isoflurane [Forane] during the surgery. What will the nurse monitor most closely in this patient?

A) Hypertension
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Constipation
D) Uterine tone