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A patient has returned to the postsurgical unit from the PACU after an above-the-knee amputation of the right leg. Results of the nurses initial postsurgical assessment were unremarkable but the patient has called out. The nurse enters the room and observes copious quantities of blood at the surgical site. What should be the nurses initial action?
- A. Apply a tourniquet.
- B. Elevate the residual limb.
- C. Apply sterile gauze.
- D. Call the surgeon.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should apply a tourniquet in the event of postsurgical hemorrhage. Elevating the limb and applying sterile gauze are likely insufficient to stop the hemorrhage. The nurse should attempt to control the immediate bleeding before contacting the surgeon.
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The surgical nurse is admitting a patient from postanesthetic recovery following the patients below-the-knee amputation. The nurse recognizes the patients high risk for postoperative hemorrhage and should keep which of the following at the bedside?
- A. A tourniquet
- B. A syringe preloaded with vitamin K
- C. A unit of packed red blood cells, placed on ice
- D. A dose of protamine sulfate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Immediate postoperative bleeding may develop slowly or may take the form of massive hemorrhage resulting from a loosened suture. A large tourniquet should be in plain sight at the patients bedside so that, if severe bleeding occurs, it can be applied to the residual limb to control the hemorrhage. PRBCs cannot be kept at the bedside. Vitamin K and protamine sulfate are antidotes to warfarin and heparin, but are not administered to treat active postsurgical bleeding.
A patient who has had an amputation is being cared for by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. What is the primary goal of this multidisciplinary team?
- A. Maximize the efficiency of care
- B. Ensure that the patients health care is holistic
- C. Facilitate the patients adjustment to a new body image
- D. Promote the patients highest possible level of function
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The multidisciplinary rehabilitation team helps the patient achieve the highest possible level of function and participation in life activities. The team is not primarily motivated by efficiency, the need for holistic care, or the need to foster the patients body image, despite the fact that each of these are valid goals.
A patient is admitted to the orthopedic unit with a fractured femur after a motorcycle accident. The patient has been placed in traction until his femur can be rodded in surgery. For what early complications should the nurse monitor this patient? Select all that apply.
- A. Systemic infection
- B. Complex regional pain syndrome
- C. Deep vein thrombosis
- D. Compartment syndrome
- E. Fat embolism
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Early complications include shock, fat embolism, compartment syndrome, and venous thromboemboli (deep vein thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE]). Infection and CRPS are later complications of fractures.
A 25-year-old man is involved in a motorcycle accident and injures his arm. The physician diagnoses the man with an intra-articular fracture and splints the injury. The nurse implements the teaching plan developed for this patient. What sequela of intra-articular fractures should the nurse describe regarding this patient?
- A. Post-traumatic arthritis
- B. Fat embolism syndrome (FES)
- C. Osteomyelitis
- D. Compartment syndrome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intra-articular fractures often lead to post-traumatic arthritis. Research does not indicate a correlation between intra-articular fractures and FES, osteomyelitis, or compartment syndrome.
Six weeks after an above-the-knee amputation (AKA), a patient returns to the outpatient office for a routine postoperative checkup. During the nurses assessment, the patient reports symptoms of phantom pain. What should the nurse tell the patient to do to reduce the discomfort of the phantom pain?
- A. Apply intermittent hot compresses to the area of the amputation.
- B. Avoid activity until the pain subsides.
- C. Take opioid analgesics as ordered.
- D. Elevate the level of the amputation site.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opioid analgesics may be effective in relieving phantom pain. Heat, immobility, and elevation are not noted to relieve this form of pain.