A patient is scheduled for surgery the next day and the different phases of the patients surgical experience will require input from members of numerous health disciplines. How should the patients care best be coordinated?
- A. By planning care using a surgical approach
- B. By identifying the professional with the most knowledge of the patient
- C. By implementing an interdisciplinary approach to care
- D. By using the nursing process to guide all aspects of care and treatment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An interdisciplinary approach involving the surgeon, anesthesiologist or anesthetist, and nurse is best. This is superior to each of the other listed options.
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The anesthetist is coming to the surgical admissions unit to see a patient prior to surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning. Which of the following is the priority information that the nurse should provide to the anesthetist during the visit?
- A. Last bowel movement
- B. Latex allergy
- C. Number of pregnancies
- D. Difficulty falling asleep
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Due to the increased number of patients with latex allergies, it is essential to identify this allergy early on so precautions can be taken in the OR. The anesthetist should be informed of any allergies. This is a priority over pregnancy history, insomnia, or recent bowel function, though some of these may be relevant.
The perioperative nurse has completed the presurgical assessment of an 82-year-old female patient who is scheduled for a left total knee replacement. When planning this patients care, the nurse should address the consequences of the patients aging cardiovascular system. These include an increased risk of which of the following?
- A. Hypervolemia
- B. Hyponatremia
- C. Hyperkalemia
- D. Hyperphosphatemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The aging heart and blood vessels have decreased ability to respond to stress. Reduced cardiac output and limited cardiac reserve make the elderly patient vulnerable to changes in circulating volume and blood oxygen levels. There is not an increased risk for hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or hyperphosphatemia because of an aging cardiovascular system.
When creating plans of nursing care for patients who are undergoing surgery using general anesthetic, what nursing diagnoses should the nurse identify? Select all that apply.
- A. Disturbed sensory perception related to anesthetic
- B. Risk for impaired nutrition: less than body requirements related to anesthesia
- C. Risk of latex allergy response related to surgical exposure
- D. Disturbed body image related to anesthesia
- E. Anxiety related to surgical concerns
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Based on the assessment data, some major nursing diagnoses may include the following: anxiety related to surgical or environmental concerns, risk of latex allergy response due to possible exposure to latex in the OR environment, risk for perioperative positioning injury related to positioning in the OR, risk for injury related to anesthesia and surgical procedure, or disturbed sensory perception (global) related to general anesthesia or sedation. Malnutrition and disturbed body image are much less likely.
The circulating nurse in an outpatient surgery center is assessing a patient who is scheduled to receive moderate sedation. What principle should guide the care of a patient receiving this form of anesthesia?
- A. The patient must never be left unattended by the nurse.
- B. The patient should begin a course of antiemetics the day before surgery.
- C. The patient should be informed that he or she will remember most of the procedure.
- D. The patient must be able to maintain his or her own airway.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient receiving moderate sedation should never be left unattended. The patients ability to maintain his or her airway depends on the level of sedation. The administration of moderate sedation is not a counter indication for giving an antiemetic. The patient receiving moderate sedation does not remember most of the procedure.
Verification that all required documentation is completed is an important function of the intraoperative nurse. The intraoperative nurse should confirm that the patients accompanying documentation includes which of the following?
- A. Discharge planning
- B. Informed consent
- C. Analgesia prescription
- D. Educational resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is important to review the patients record for the following: correct informed surgical consent, with patients signature; completed records for health history and physical examination; results of diagnostic studies; and allergies (including latex). Discharge planning records and prescriptions are not normally necessary. Educational resources would not be included at this stage of the surgical process.
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