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A client has received intravenous anesthesia during an operation. What action by the postanesthesia care nurse is most important?
- A. Assist with administering muscle relaxants to the client.
- B. Monitor the client's respiratory and circulatory status.
- C. Prepare to administer intravenous antiemetics to the client.
- D. Provide warm blankets to prevent postoperative shivering.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous anesthetic agents have the potential to cause respiratory and circulatory depression. The nurse should assist the client by monitoring respiratory and circulatory status using a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. Muscle relaxants are not indicated for this client at this time. Intravenous anesthetics have a lower rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting than other types. Shivering can occur in any client, but is more common after inhalation agents.
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The circulating nurse and preoperative nurse are reviewing the chart of a client scheduled for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). What information on the chart needs to be reported to the surgeon as a priority?
- A. Call the charge nurse.
- B. Consent for MIS procedure only
- C. Call prior anesthesia exposure
- D. Call prior anesthesia last to hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All MIS procedures have the potential for becoming open procedures depending on findings and complications. The client's consent should include this possibility. The nurse should report this finding to the surgeon prior to surgery taking place. Having allergies noted and an allergy band applied is standard. Calling the charge nurse is not the priority in this case.
A nurse is monitoring a client after moderate sedation. The nurse documents the client's Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) score at 3. What action by the nurse is best?
- A. Assess the client's gag reflex.
- B. Begin providing discharge instructions.
- C. Document findings and continue to monitor.
- D. Increase oxygen and notify the provider.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An RSS score of 3 means the client is able to respond quickly, but only to commands. The client has not had enough time to fully arouse. The nurse should document the findings and continue to monitor per agency policy. If the client had an oral endoscope or was intubated, checking the gag reflex would be appropriate prior to permitting eating or drinking. The client is not yet awake enough for teaching. There is no need to increase oxygen and notify the provider.
The nursing student observes the perioperative area and notes the unique functions of the circulating nurse, which include: (Select all that apply.)
- A. Accounting for all sharps
- B. Documenting all care given
- C. Maintaining the sterile field
- D. Monitoring traffic in the room
- E. Anticipating needs of the surgical team
Correct Answer: A,E
Rationale: The circulating nurse has several responsibilities, including maintaining client safety and privacy, monitoring traffic in and out of the operating room, assessing fluid losses, reporting findings to the surgeon and anesthesia provider, anticipating needs of the team, and communicating to the family. The circulating nurse and scrub person work together to ensure accurate counts of sharps, sponges, and instruments. The circulating nurse also documents care, but in the perioperative area, the preoperative or holding room nurse would also document. Maintaining the sterile field is a joint responsibility of all members of the surgical team.
A client in the operating room has developed malignant hyperthermia. The client's potassium is 6.5 mEq/L. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Administer insulin and glucose.
- B. Administer dantrolene sodium (Dantrium).
- C. Increase intravenous fluids.
- D. Monitor the client's electrocardiogram.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a medical emergency, and dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is the drug of choice to treat it. Hyperkalemia (potassium 6.5 mEq/L) may occur, but the priority is to administer dantrolene to reverse the malignant hyperthermia. Administering insulin and glucose or increasing fluids may be part of the treatment protocol, but dantrolene is the most critical. Monitoring the ECG is important but not the priority action.
What actions by the circulating nurse are important to promote client comfort? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Introducing oneself
- B. Providing warmth
- C. Positioning the client correctly
- D. Remaining present with the client
- E. Removing hearing aids
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: The circulating nurse can do many things to promote client comfort, including positioning the client correctly and comfortably, introducing herself or himself to the client, keeping the client warm, and remaining present with the client. Removing hearing aids does not promote comfort and, if the client is still awake when they are removed, may contribute to disorientation and anxiety.