Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient who had an ovarian cyst removed under general anesthesia 12 hours ago.Which is the most important goal for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Ambulation is the most important goal for this patient because it helps to prevent blood clots and pneumonia.

Question 2

The nurse plans assignments for the staff in an ambulatory surgery center.Which assignment can the nurse delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?

Accepted Answer

Nursing assistive personnel (NAP) can be delegated tasks such as administering enemas, which are within their scope of practice. Other tasks listed require nursing judgment or patient education, which are not appropriate for NAP.

Question 3

A patient will be on bed rest for several days after extensive surgery.Which activity does the nurse teach the patient to prevent complications from decreased perfusion?

Accepted Answer

Flexing and rotating the ankles helps promote circulation and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to decreased perfusion from prolonged bed rest.

Question 4

While being prepared for surgery, the patient tells the nurse about forgetting to take the ordered antibiotics in preparation for the surgery.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should notify the patient's surgeon because the surgeon needs to be aware of the missed antibiotics to determine the best course of action before proceeding with the surgery.

Question 5

The nurse determines that the patient is at risk for atelectasis caused by pain from back surgery 3 hours ago.Which is the best goal for the nurse to help the patient achieve?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse determines that the patient is...

Question 6

The nurse admits a patient for ambulatory surgery.The patient tells the nurse that he or she skipped breakfast but drank a cup of coffee and some juice.Which does the nurse implement next?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse admits a patient for ambulatory...

Question 7

The nurse assesses a patient before hip surgery.Which piece of information is most critical for the nurse to report to the surgeon before surgery?

Accepted Answer

The use of CPAP at home indicates a potential issue with sleep apnea, which can affect anesthesia and postoperative recovery, making it critical for the surgical team to be aware.

Question 8

The nurse admits the patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after minor hand surgery with minimal sedation and regional anesthesia.Which action by the nurse is priority?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a patent airway is always the priority in postanesthesia care to ensure the patient can breathe properly and prevent any respiratory complications.

Question 9

The nurse assesses a patient before surgery.Which piece of patient information requires follow-up nursing interventions?

Accepted Answer

The patient's father died during surgery last year. This information requires follow-up nursing interventions because it may indicate that the patient has a fear of surgery or anxiety about the outcome of surgery.

Question 10

The nurse interviews a preoperative patient who evades all questions about medications taken at home.Which is the best response for the nurse to use to facilitate safe, effective nursing care?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging the patient's feelings can help build trust and encourage open communication, which is essential for safe and effective nursing care.

Question 11

The patient's family has had many experiences with surgical complications.What information is most important for the nurse to use to understand the patient's stress in the perioperative period?

Accepted Answer

Identifying specific concerns regarding the surgical experience is most important for the nurse to understand the patient's stress in the perioperative period.

Question 12

The nurse assesses a patient before knee surgery.Which assessment finding reported by the nurse will most likely require the surgery to be delayed?

Accepted Answer

A reddened, swollen, and painful calf could indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious condition that could lead to complications during or after surgery. This finding would likely require further evaluation and treatment before proceeding with surgery.

Question 13

A nurse admits a patient to ambulatory surgery.The patient's history includes multiple surgeries over the last 10 years.In addition, when the patient wears antiembolism stockings or has tape on the skin, a rash develops.Which action does the nurse take initially?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should initially gather additional information about potential allergies to ensure comprehensive care and prevent any allergic reactions during the surgery.

Question 14

The nurse instructs the patient about postoperative coughing and deep-breathing exercises following abdominal surgery.Which technique does the nurse teach the patient to facilitate cooperation?

Accepted Answer

Supporting the incision helps reduce pain and discomfort, encouraging the patient to perform the exercises more effectively.

Question 15

The nurse is explaining the purpose and procedure regarding informed consent to a nursing student.What information is included in the explanation?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's role in informed consent is to verify that the consent form is complete and that the patient understands the information provided by the physician, who is responsible for explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Question 16

The nurse instructs the patient about scheduled surgery involving general anesthesia and about postoperative care.Which does the nurse include during this time?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should determine the patient's cultural and religious preferences to provide culturally competent care and ensure that the patient's beliefs and practices are respected throughout the surgical process.

Question 17

The patient asks why preoperative application of compression stockings has been ordered.Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Compression stockings help improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots, especially during periods of immobility such as after surgery.

Question 18

The patient is prepared for shoulder surgery and tells the preoperative nurse that the scar will be invisible after the surgery.Which action does the nurse take at this time?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should notify the surgeon of the patient's statement to ensure that the patient has realistic expectations and understands the potential outcomes of the surgery, including scarring. This ensures informed consent is truly informed.

Question 19

The nurse prepares the patient for surgery to begin in 1 hour, but the pregnancy test included in the preoperative orders written yesterday is not in the medical record.Which action does the nurse implement first?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should first call the laboratory to obtain the test results, as the test was already ordered and should have been completed. This ensures that the necessary information is available before proceeding with surgery.

Question 20

The nurse provides instructions about postoperative exercises to the patient who is scheduled for a laparotomy.What does the nurse include in patient teaching?

Accepted Answer

Postoperative exercises such as tightening the thighs and pushing the knee into the bed help prevent complications like blood clots and promote circulation. This exercise should be done frequently, such as every 1-2 hours.

Quiz 29: Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Care