Deck 3: Nursing Care of People Having Surgery

Question 1

A person is in his fifth postoperative day and has sanguineous drainage with a thick, reddish appearance. The nurse realises this person's wound is in which stage of healing? Stage:

A)I)
B)II.
C)III.
D)IV.

Answer 1

II.

Question 2

A person is complaining of discomfort after a surgical procedure. The person voices fear of addiction with taking analgesics as prescribed. What information should be provided to the person regarding these concerns? (Select all that apply.)

A)'People are routinely screened for addiction potential prior to being given narcotics.'
B)'Addiction to opioid analgesics is rare when used for short-term postoperative pain management.'
C)'Pain tolerance and the need for opioid analgesics are individualised.'
D)'Psychological tolerance is not commonly experienced by patients who take narcotic analgesics during the postoperative experience.'

Answer 2

'Addiction to opioid analgesics is rare when used for short-term postoperative pain management.'
'Pain tolerance and the need for opioid analgesics are individualised.'
'Psychological tolerance is not commonly experienced by patients who take narcotic analgesics during the postoperative experience.'

Question 3

A person is being transferred from the operating room to the recovery room. The nurse in the recovery room will be providing which phase of nursing care?

A)Intraoperative.
B)Preoperative.
C)Perioperative.
D)Postoperative.

Answer 3

Postoperative.

Question 4

A person has received conscious sedation for a surgical procedure. Which of the following will most likely apply to this person? The person will:

A)not respond to any stimuli.
B)not respond to verbal stimuli.
C)respond to physical and verbal stimuli.
D)not respond to physical stimuli.

Question 5

A person is being positioned for a hip replacement procedure. In which of the following positions will this person most likely be placed?

A)Lateral chest.
B)Supine.
C)Lithotomy.
D)Prone.

Question 6

A person is demonstrating signs of postoperative haemorrhage. Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing intervention at this time?

A)Apply sterile pads and a snug pressure dressing to the area.
B)Slow the intravenous fluid administration rate.
C)Support the person's physiologic mechanism for dissolving clots.
D)Raise the head of the person's bed.

Question 7

How often should the nurse assess the person who has just arrived in the recovery room? Every:

A)15 minutes for the first hour.
B)hour.
C)30 minutes.
D)15 minutes for 30 minutes and then every one hour afterwards.

Question 8

A person who is recovering from abdominal surgery has a Penrose drain in situ. Which of the following should the nurse include in the care of this person?

A)Empty the drain every 30 minutes.
B)Clean the wound with normal saline every two hours.
C)Remove the drain 24 hours postoperatively.
D)Make sure there is a safety pin on the end of the drain.

Question 9

The nurse is assisting a postoperative person in using an incentive spirometer. Which of the following postoperative complications is the nurse attempting to avoid with this person?

A)Pulmonary embolism.
B)Deep vein thrombosis.
C)Atelectasis.
D)Pneumothorax.

Question 10

An elderly person is completing preoperative diagnostic testing. The nurse notes that the person's carbon dioxide level is elevated. Which of the following nursing interventions would be indicated for this person? Monitor:

A)respiratory status and arterial blood gases.
B)blood pressure.
C)fluid intake and output.
D)serum potassium level.

Question 11

The nurse is in attendance as the surgeon discusses the upcoming surgical procedure to obtain informed consent. After the physician leaves, the patient asks the nurse questions concerning the surgery that appear to indicate a lack of understanding. The nurse's first action should be to:

A)attempt to answer the patient's questions based upon information heard during the physician's explanation.
B)provide the patient with brochures that explain the surgery, possible outcomes and any associated risks.
C)inform the nursing supervisor of the situation and document the patient concerns.
D)contact the surgeon to return and speak with the patient to provide further information and clarification.

Question 12

A person is signing a surgical consent form. Afterwards, the nurse also signs the form. What is the meaning of the nursing signature? It means the:

A)person was alert and aware of what was being signed.
B)person understood the procedure as described by the nurse.
C)surgeon was not able to witness the patient's signature.
D)person had questions about the procedure that the nurse answered.

Question 13

An elderly person is being prepared for orthopaedic surgery. The nurse realises this person is at risk of which of the following?

A)Decreased tolerance of general anaesthesia.
B)Increased hypotensive effects of anaesthesia.
C)Wound dehiscence.
D)Ineffective pain relief.

Question 14

A recovery room nurse is consulting with a circulating nurse about a person who is having a surgical procedure. These nurses are most likely in which zone of the surgical department?

A)Banned.
B)Restricted.
C)Semi-restricted.
D)Unrestricted.

Question 15

A person is scheduled for removal of a cataract. The nurse realises this person's procedure is classified as being:

A)minor diagnostic.
B)minor elective.
C)major constructive.
D)major elective.

Question 16

Which of the following should the nurse instruct the person about patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain?

A)'Use this analgesia regularly.'
B)'Use this analgesia every hour.'
C)'Use this analgesia only when the pain is very bad.'
D)'Minimise the use of this because of the risk of addiction.'

Question 17

A person's endotracheal tube is being removed after the surgical procedure. The intraoperative nurse realises this person is in which phase of the general anaesthesia process?

A)Maintenance.
B)Induction.
C)Emergence.
D)Reduction.

Question 18

An elderly postoperative person is given an antiemetic medication for nausea. Which of the following signs would indicate this person is experiencing a possible reaction to the medication?

A)Dry mouth.
B)Confusion.
C)Involuntary muscle movements.
D)Projectile vomiting.

Question 19

A person is in the recovery room. Which of the following members of the healthcare team should the nurse contact regarding the person's level of pain control? The:

A)circulating nurse.
B)ward nurse.
C)surgeon.
D)anaesthetist.

Question 20

A person is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following should be included in the preoperative teaching provided by the nurse?

A)Planned postoperative routine.
B)Information about the type of anaesthesia.
C)Information concerning the surgical procedure which will be provided by the surgeon.
D)Cost of the procedure.

Question 21

The person who is preparing for surgery asks the nurse to keep their glasses and hearing aid in place until they are under anaesthesia. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates accurate, therapeutic communication?

A)'The policies in the surgery unit will not allow it.'
B)'You cannot keep those in.'
C)'I will contact the surgery department to discuss your requests.'
D)'Certainly, you can keep them for that time.'

Question 22

A person who is being admitted for surgery asks the nurse why she is being asked about her use of herbal and natural supplements. Which of the following statements is an appropriate nursing response?

A)'Herbal supplements may interact with the anaesthesia agents we will be giving you.'
B)'There is no need for you to take these preparations.'
C)'You need to talk to the surgeon about this.'
D)'Herbal remedies may cause your postoperative analgesics to be ineffective.'

Question 23

Which of the following should the nurse instruct the person about patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain in the first 36 to 48 hours?

A)'Use the analgesia regularly; don't wait until the pain begins.'
B)'Use this analgesia at least once every hour.'
C)'Use this analgesia only when the pain becomes intolerable.'
D)'Minimise the use of the analgesia to decrease the risk of addiction.'

Question 24

During the assessment of a postoperative person's bowel sounds, the nurse auscultates high-pitched sounds over all four abdominal quadrants. What might these findings indicate?

A)Hunger pains.
B)The onset of flatus.
C)Paralytic ileus.
D)Normal bowel function.

Question 25

A patient in the recovery room is restless and anxious. The wound dressing is soaked through with bloody drainage. Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing intervention at this time?

A)Apply sterile pads and a firm pressure dressing to the area.
B)Slow the intravenous fluid administration rate.
C)Support the person's physiologic mechanism for dissolving clots.
D)Raise the head of the person's bed.

Question 26

A postoperative person tells the nurse, 'I read that I should not eat after surgery for at least a week.' Which of the following would be a correct therapeutic response to this statement?

A)'Eating is not a major concern at that time as regular food does not support healing.'
B)'You don't need to worry about that; you'll be receiving intravenous feedings anyway.'
C)'That is a misunderstanding, you would be very hungry after a week.'
D)'When you can eat depends on bowel activity; once it returns, you can generally restart your regular diet.'