Which activities are the circulating nurse's responsibilities in the operating room?
- A. Monitor the position of the client, prepare the surgical site, and ensure the client's safety.
- B. Give preoperative medication in the holding area and monitor the client's response to anesthesia.
- C. Prepare sutures; set up the sterile field; and count all needles, sponges, and instruments.
- D. Prepare the medications to be administered by the anesthesiologist and change the tubing for the anesthesia machine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The circulating nurse monitors positioning, preps the site, and ensures safety, maintaining a non-sterile role. Medications, sterile field setup, and anesthesia tubing are other roles.
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The PACU nurse is receiving the client from the OR. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Assess the client's breath sounds.
- B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula.
- C. Take the client's blood pressure.
- D. Monitor the pulse oximeter reading.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing breath sounds ensures airway patency and ventilation, the priority post-OR per ABCs. Oxygen, BP, and pulse oximetry follow airway assessment.
The nurse and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are caring for clients on a surgery unit. Which task would be most appropriate to delegate to the UAP?
- A. Explain to the client how to cough and deep breathe.
- B. Discuss preoperative plans with the client and family.
- C. Determine the ability of the caregivers to provide postoperative care.
- D. Assist the client to take a povidone-iodine (Betadine) shower.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assisting with a Betadine shower is a non-invasive task within UAP scope. Teaching, discussing plans, and assessing caregivers require nursing judgment.
The client is in the lithotomy position during surgery. Which nursing intervention should be implemented to decrease a complication from the positioning?
- A. Increase the intravenous fluids.
- B. Lower one leg at a time.
- C. Raise the foot of the stretcher.
- D. Administer epinephrine, a vasopressor.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lowering legs sequentially prevents rapid blood pressure drops from venous pooling, reducing circulatory complications in lithotomy. Fluids, stretcher elevation, and epinephrine are unrelated.
The 26-year-old male client in the PACU has a heart rate of 110 and a rising temperature and complains of muscle stiffness. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Give a back rub to the client to relieve stiffness.
- B. Apply ice packs to the axillary and groin areas.
- C. Prepare an ice slush for the client to drink.
- D. Prepare to administer dantrolene, a smooth-muscle relaxant.
- E. Reposition the client on a warming blanket.
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: Tachycardia, hyperthermia, and muscle stiffness suggest malignant hyperthermia; ice packs cool the body, and dantrolene reverses the condition. Back rubs, ice slush, and warming blankets are inappropriate.
The circulating nurse notes a discrepancy in the needle count. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Inform the other members of the surgical team about the problem.
- B. Assume the original count was wrong and change the record.
- C. Call the radiology department to perform a portable x-ray.
- D. Complete an occurrence report and notify the risk manager.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Informing the team prompts a recount and investigation, the first step to prevent retained needles. Assuming errors, ordering x-rays, or reporting are premature.