Question 1

The student nurse asks the instructor how succinylcholine (Anectine)works.Which of the following would be the best response?

Accepted Answer

Succinylcholine (Anectine) is a neuromuscular blocker that paralyzes the muscles, including those used for respiration, necessitating mechanical ventilation or other forms of breathing assistance during its administration.

Question 2

Following spinal administration, which of the following adverse effects is a common occurrence?

Accepted Answer

Headache is a common adverse effect following spinal administration, often due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage at the puncture site.

Question 3

The purpose of nitrous oxide for the surgical patient is to:

Accepted Answer

Nitrous oxide is primarily used for its analgesic properties, as it suppresses the pain mechanism in the central nervous system, providing pain relief without necessarily inducing unconsciousness.

Question 4

A pregnant client is dilated to 7 centimeters, and requests an epidural anesthetic.The nurse understands the primary risk of epidurally administered anesthetic for this patient is:

Accepted Answer

The primary risk associated with epidurally administered anesthetic, especially in the context of labor and delivery, is hypotension. This is because the epidural can cause vasodilation in the lower body, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.

Question 5

Which assessment would indicate that surgical anesthesia has not been achieved for the client undergoing a general surgery?

Accepted Answer

Muscle rigidity can indicate that surgical anesthesia has not been achieved, as it suggests that the patient's muscles are not fully relaxed, which is necessary for surgery. Loss of consciousness, a reduction in heart rate, and slowed eye movements are signs that anesthesia is taking effect.

Question 6

A potential adverse side effect of using opioids as an adjunct to anesthesia is related to:

Accepted Answer

Opioids, when used as an adjunct to anesthesia, can depress the central nervous system, leading to respiratory depression. This is a well-documented side effect and a critical concern when administering opioids.

Question 7

The client is now in stage 2 of general anesthesia.What is the priority nursing intervention at this time?

Accepted Answer

During stage 2 of general anesthesia, also known as the excitement stage, patients may experience irregular breathing, increased muscle tone, and involuntary movements. Maintaining a quiet and calm environment helps minimize stimuli that could exacerbate these reactions, ensuring a smoother transition to deeper anesthesia stages.

Question 8

Balanced anesthesia is the use of a combination of medications to produce general anesthesia.Which of the following may be used in combination? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Balanced anesthesia is the use of a...

Question 9

The client asks the nurse during preoperative teaching why he has to "receive so many drugs for such a simple procedure." The nurse explains that the goal of using multiple agents to achieve general anesthesia is to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The client asks the nurse during preoperative...

Question 10

Preoperative adjunct medications are used for which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Preoperative adjunct medications are used to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia by decreasing gastric acidity and volume, and to reduce anxiety and facilitate sedation to help the patient relax before surgery.

Question 11

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?

Accepted Answer

Local anesthesia is typically considered safe during pregnancy as it has minimal systemic effects and is unlikely to affect the baby.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The 79-year-old with arteriosclerosis is most likely to experience an adverse reaction to inhalation anesthesia due to the increased risk of cardiovascular complications associated with arteriosclerosis and the general vulnerability of older patients to the side effects of anesthesia.

Question 13

The client is scheduled for a surgical procedure.The nurse plans to teach the patient about anesthesia.Which statement included by the nurse would be part of a "best plan?"

Accepted Answer

An intravenous agent is often used first to induce sleep quickly, followed by an inhaled agent to maintain anesthesia during surgery. This combination allows for rapid induction and easy adjustment of anesthesia depth during the procedure.

Question 14

For which client would the nurse anticipate the use of a topical anesthetic?

Accepted Answer

Topical anesthetics are used to numb the surface of the skin or mucous membranes and are ideal for minor procedures such as treating a scalp laceration. They are not suitable for deeper or internal procedures like hernia repair, cesarean sections, or laparoscopic surgeries, which require more profound anesthesia.

Question 15

Midazolam (Versed)may be administered as part of surgical anesthesia.This drug is recognized as having which of the following effects? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine that reduces anxiety (A), causes CNS depression and muscle relaxation (D), and shares effects with other benzodiazepines like sedation and amnesia (E). It does not specifically prevent cardiac dysrhythmias (B) or maintain stable cardiac and respiratory activity (C).

Question 16

The client is now in stage 3 of general anesthesia, known as surgical anesthesia.What will the best assessment by the nurse reveal?

Accepted Answer

DIn stage 3 of general anesthesia, known as surgical anesthesia, the patient experiences relaxation, stable respiration, slow eye movements (A), and a loss of general sensation, including the slowing of eye movements (D). This stage is optimal for surgery as it indicates a deep level of anesthesia without the complications associated with stages involving irregular heart rate, breathing, or paralysis of the brain's medulla region.

Question 17

Identify a priority outcome goal for a client who has received local anesthesia related to treatment of a musculoskeletal injury.

Accepted Answer

Local anesthesia can cause temporary loss of sensation or paresthesia in the treated area, increasing the risk of injury due to lack of feeling. It is important for the client to avoid activities that could lead to injury until sensation returns.

Question 18

The nursing instructor teaches the nursing students about the advantages of newer local anesthetics.While teaching the nursing students about lidocaine (Xylocaine), the instructor would include which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nursing instructor teaches the nursing students...

Question 19

As a nurse working in the operating room, what is the most dangerous effect of inhalation anesthesia for which you must constantly be alert?

Accepted Answer

Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain drugs used for anesthesia, characterized by a rapid increase in body temperature and severe muscle contractions. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment, making it the most dangerous effect of inhalation anesthesia for which nurses and other healthcare professionals must be constantly alert.

Question 20

The nurse assisting with chest tube placement notes the physician injecting lidocaine near the insertion site.This technique of anesthesia administration is known as:

Accepted Answer

Injecting lidocaine near the insertion site for anesthesia is known as infiltration, where the anesthetic is directly injected into the tissue around the area of the procedure.

Quiz 30: Anesthetics and Anesthesia Adjuncts

The student nurse asks the instructor how succinylcholine (Anectine) works.Which of the following would be the best response?