The charge nurse is making shift assignments. Which postoperative client should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
- A. The 4-year-old client who had a tonsillectomy and is able to swallow fluids.
- B. The 74-year-old client with a repair of the left hip who is unable to ambulate.
- C. The 24-year-old client who had an uncomplicated appendectomy the previous day.
- D. The 80-year-old client with small bowel obstruction and congestive heart failure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 80-year-old with small bowel obstruction and CHF has complex needs (fluid balance, cardiac monitoring), requiring an experienced nurse. Tonsillectomy, hip repair, and appendectomy are less complex.
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Which problem is appropriate for the nurse to identify for a client in the intraoperative phase of surgery?
- A. Alteration in comfort.
- B. Disuse syndrome.
- C. Risk for injury.
- D. Altered gas exchange.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Risk for injury (e.g., from positioning, equipment) is a primary intraoperative concern, per NANDA-I. Comfort, disuse, and gas exchange are more postoperative or anesthesia-related.
The client received naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist, in the postanesthesia care unit. Which nursing intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?
- A. Measure the client's intake and output hourly.
- B. Administer sleep medications at night.
- C. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings.
- D. Monitor respirations every 15 to 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Narcan reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, requiring frequent respiratory monitoring to detect recurrence. I&O, sleep aids, and verbalization are secondary.
The client in the surgical holding area tells the nurse 'I am so scared. I have never had surgery before.' Which statement would be the most appropriate response?
- A. Why are you afraid of the surgery?
- B. This is the best hospital in the city.
- C. Does having surgery make you afraid?
- D. There is no reason to be afraid.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s fear validates feelings, encouraging discussion. Asking 'why,' boasting about the hospital, or dismissing fear is less therapeutic.
The PACU nurse administers Narcan, an opioid antagonist, to a postoperative client. Which client problem should the nurse include to the plan of care based on this medication?
- A. Alteration in comfort.
- B. Risk for depressed respiratory pattern.
- C. Potential for infection.
- D. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Narcan reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression, but risk persists, requiring monitoring. Comfort, infection, and fluid imbalance are unrelated to Narcan.
Which technique would be most appropriate for the nurse to implement when assessing a four (4)-year-old client in acute pain?
- A. Use words a four (4)-year-old child can remember.
- B. Explain the 0-to-10 pain scale to the child's parent.
- C. Have the child point to the face which describes the pain.
- D. Administer the medication every four (4) hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FACES pain scale (pointing to faces) is age-appropriate for a 4-year-old, per pediatric pain assessment guidelines. Simple words are vague, numeric scales are for older children, and scheduled medication is not assessment.
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