Nokea
The circulating nurse is positioning clients for surgery. Which client has the greatest potential for nerve damage?
- A. The 16-year-old client in the dorsal recumbent position having an appendectomy.
- B. The 68-year-old client in the Trendelenburg position having a cholecystectomy.
- C. The 45-year-old client in the reverse Trendelenburg position having a biopsy.
- D. The 22-year-old client in the lateral position having a nephrectomy.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The lateral position risks brachial plexus or peroneal nerve damage due to pressure on dependent limbs, especially during prolonged surgery like nephrectomy. Other positions have lower nerve risks.
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The nurse received a report the elderly postoperative client became confused during the previous shift. Which client problem would the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Risk for injury.
- B. Altered comfort level.
- C. Impaired circulation.
- D. Impaired skin integrity.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Confusion increases fall and injury risk, the priority problem in elderly postoperative clients. Comfort, circulation, and skin integrity are secondary.
The client in the surgery holding area identifies the left arm as the correct surgical site, but the operative permit designates surgery to be performed on the right arm. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Review the client's chart.
- B. Notify the surgeon.
- C. Immediately call a 'time-out.'
- D. Correct the surgical permit.
- E. Request the client mark the left arm.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Reviewing the chart verifies the correct site, notifying the surgeon addresses the discrepancy, and calling a time-out ensures team confirmation. Correcting the permit or marking the wrong site is unsafe.
The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) can be overheard talking loudly to the scrub technologist discussing a problem which occurred during one (1) of the surgeries. Which intervention should the nurse in the surgical holding area with a female client implement?
- A. Close the curtains around the client's stretcher.
- B. Instruct the UAP and scrub tech to stop the discussion.
- C. Tell the surgeon on the case what the nurse overheard.
- D. Inform the client the discussion was not about her surgeon.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Instructing the UAP and tech to stop protects patient privacy and reduces anxiety, per HIPAA. Curtains, informing the surgeon, or reassuring the client are less direct.
The circulating nurse observes the surgeon tossing a bloody gauze sponge onto the sterile field. Which action should the circulating nurse implement first?
- A. Include the sponge in the sponge count.
- B. Obtain a new sterile instrument pack.
- C. Tell the surgical technologist about the sponge.
- D. Throw the sponge in the sterile trashcan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Telling the technologist ensures the contaminated sponge is removed from the sterile field, maintaining asepsis. Counting, new instruments, or trashing are secondary or incorrect.
The nurse in the holding area of the surgery department is interviewing a client who requests to keep his religious medal on during surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Notify the surgeon about the client's request to wear the medal.
- B. Tape the medal to the client and allow the client to wear the medal.
- C. Request the family member take the medal prior to surgery.
- D. Explain taking the medal to surgery is against the policy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Taping the medal ensures safety (no loose objects) while respecting the client’s spiritual needs, per patient-centered care. Notification, removal, or policy citation are less accommodating.