Question 1

The nurse takes the form identified below to a patient's room in preparation for an emergency surgical procedure. The patient states, "Doc said he would tell me all about the surgery when he gets here. Do you know what they are going to do?" What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

It is important for the patient to receive information about the surgery from the physician who will be performing the procedure. Therefore, the nurse should wait on having the patient sign the form until after the physician has talked to the patient and provided information about the surgery.

Question 2

An older patient is being prepared for orthopedic surgery. For what potential risk should the nurse plan care?

Accepted Answer

Older adults can have decreased tolerance of general anesthesia due to changes in organ function and increased medication sensitivity. The nurse should plan care accordingly to prevent adverse effects.

Question 3

A patient is signing a surgical consent. Afterwards, the nurse also signs the form. What is the meaning of the nurse's signature?

Accepted Answer

The nurse's signature on a surgical consent form typically serves as a witness to the patient's signature, indicating that the patient was alert and aware of what they were signing, rather than confirming understanding, surgeon availability, or predicting the outcome of the procedure.

Question 4

The patient is scheduled for a perineal surgery. Place an "X" on the position in which the nurse would place this patient for surgery.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The patient is scheduled for a perineal...

Question 5

A patient is being transferred from the operating room to the recovery room. In which phase of the surgical process will the nurse in the recovery room provide care?

Accepted Answer

The recovery room nurse provides care during the postoperative phase, which begins after the surgical procedure has been completed and the patient is transferred to the recovery room. The preoperative phase occurs prior to the surgery, the intraoperative phase occurs during the surgery itself, and the restorative phase occurs after the patient has completed rehabilitation and is returning to normal daily activities.

Question 6

A patient who is recovering from abdominal surgery has a Penrose drain. What should the nurse include in the care of this patient?

Accepted Answer

A safety pin on the end of a Penrose drain prevents it from slipping back into the incision site, which is a key aspect of managing this type of drain properly.

Question 7

A patient recovering from surgery reports a pain level of 6 on a 0-10 pain scale but refuses additional pain medication since he does not want to "become addicted." The nurse's response should focus on which concept?

Accepted Answer

Physical dependence on pain medication is uncommon during short-term postoperative use, and educating the patient about this can help alleviate concerns about addiction.

Question 8

The nurse is assisting a postoperative patient in using an incentive spirometer. Which postoperative complications is this nurse attempting to avoid?

Accepted Answer

The use of an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis, which is a common postoperative complication where parts of the lung collapse due to decreased lung expansion. It does not directly prevent deep vein thrombosis, hemorrhage, or pulmonary embolism.

Question 9

An older patient is receiving an NSAID for postoperative pain. What should the nurse assess in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An older patient is receiving an NSAID...

Question 10

The patient who is preparing for surgery asks the nurse to keep his glasses and hearing aid in place until he is under anesthesia. Which nursing response demonstrates accurate therapeutic communication?

Accepted Answer

The nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication by acknowledging the patient's request and taking action to discuss it with the surgery department, ensuring the patient's needs and safety are considered.

Question 11

An older postoperative patient is given an antiemetic for nausea. Which manifestation indicates to the nurse that this patient is experiencing a possible reaction to the medication?

Accepted Answer

Involuntary muscle movements can be a sign of an adverse reaction to antiemetic medications, particularly those that affect dopamine receptors, such as metoclopramide or prochlorperazine. Confusion and dry mouth are common side effects of these medications, while breakthrough vomiting would indicate that the medication is not working effectively, rather than a reaction to the medication.

Question 12

After complaining of discomfort from a surgical procedure, the patient voices fear of addiction with taking analgesics as prescribed. What information should be provided to the patient regarding these concerns?

Accepted Answer

The answer of After complaining of discomfort from a surgical...

Question 13

A patient's postoperative wound has sanguineous drainage with a thick, reddish appearance. The nurse realizes this patient's wound is in which phase of healing?

Accepted Answer

Sanguineous drainage with a thick, reddish appearance indicates the presence of red blood cells and inflammatory cells, which are typical during the inflammatory phase of wound healing. During this phase, there is an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation, synthesis of platelet plug, and a temporary clotting cascade that help staunch the wound. The inflammatory phase also involves white blood cells removing debris and contaminants from the wound, as well as preparing the wound bed for ongoing healing.

Question 14

A patient says that his condition must be getting worse since he was receiving 10 mg morphine sulfate through the IV for pain but now is prescribed Demerol 50 mg by mouth at home. How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should educate the patient that oral doses need to be higher than those given through an IV and that it does not necessarily mean their condition is getting worse. This helps to alleviate any unnecessary concern or anxiety the patient may have. The other answer choices either do not address the patient's concern appropriately or provide inaccurate information.

Question 15

A patient is scheduled for extraction of a cataract. How should the nurse classify this patient's surgical procedure?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is scheduled for extraction of...

Question 16

A patient who is being admitted for surgery asks the nurse why information is being collected about the patient's use of herbal and natural supplements. How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Herbal supplements and natural remedies can interact with anesthetic agents and cause complications during surgery. Therefore, it is important to collect information about the patient's use of these substances in order to prevent any unwanted interactions.

Question 17

During the assessment of a postoperative patient's bowel sounds, the nurse auscultates absent sounds over all four abdominal quadrants. The nurse realizes this finding could indicate what health problem?

Accepted Answer

Absent bowel sounds in all four abdominal quadrants is a classic sign of paralytic ileus, which is a condition in which there is a disruption in the normal propulsive contractions of the bowel, leading to a functional bowel obstruction.

Question 18

An older patient is completing preoperative diagnostic testing. The nurse notes that the patient's carbon dioxide level is elevated. What should the nurse be monitoring for this patient?

Accepted Answer

An elevated carbon dioxide level may indicate respiratory distress or impending respiratory failure. The nurse should monitor the patient's respiratory status and arterial blood gases to assess for respiratory acidosis and ensure appropriate respiratory support. Monitoring serum potassium and sodium levels and intake and output may also be appropriate, but these are not directly related to the patient's elevated carbon dioxide level.

Question 19

The nurse is assigned as the surgical scrub nurse for outpatient cases. Place an "X" on the picture that depicts how the nurse will dress for these cases.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assigned as the surgical...

Question 20

An older surgical patient is having an epidural catheter inserted for pain control. What does the nurse realize is an advantage of using this method of pain medication for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An older surgical patient is having an...

Quiz 4: Nursing Care of Patients Having Surgery