Nokea
The client one (1) day postoperative develops an elevated temperature. Which intervention would have priority for the client?
- A. Encourage the client to deep breathe and cough every hour.
- B. Encourage the client to drink 200 mL of water every shift.
- C. Monitor the client's wound for drainage every eight (8) hours.
- D. Assess the urine output for color and clarity every four (4) hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fever post-surgery often stems from atelectasis; deep breathing and coughing prevent respiratory complications, the priority. Hydration, wound monitoring, and urine assessment are secondary.
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The circulating nurse and the scrub technician find a discrepancy in the sponge count. Which action should the circulating nurse take first?
- A. Notify the client's surgeon.
- B. Complete an occurrence report.
- C. Contact the surgical manager.
- D. Recount all sponges.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Recounting sponges verifies the discrepancy, the first step to ensure no retained objects. Notification, reporting, or manager contact follow if confirmed.
The nurse clears the PCA pump and discovers the client has used only a small amount of medication during the shift. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Determine why the client is not using the PCA pump.
- B. Document the amount and take no action.
- C. Chart the client is not having pain.
- D. Contact the HCP and request oral medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Determining why the client underuses the PCA (e.g., misunderstanding, side effects) ensures effective pain management. Documentation alone, assuming no pain, or changing medication is premature.
The nurse must obtain surgical consent forms for the scheduled surgery. Which client would not be able to consent legally to surgery?
- A. The 65-year-old client who cannot read or write.
- B. The 30-year-old client who does not understand English.
- C. The 16-year-old client who has a fractured ankle.
- D. The 80-year-old client who is not oriented to the day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Legal consent requires mental competency; disorientation to the day suggests incapacity. Illiteracy, language barriers (with interpreters), and minors (with parental consent) do not preclude consent.
The surgical client's vital signs are T 98°F, P 106, R 24, and BP 88/40. The client is awake and oriented times three (3) and the skin is pale and damp. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Call the surgeon and report the vital signs.
- B. Start an IV of D5RL with 20 mEq KCl at 125 mL/hr.
- C. Elevate the feet and lower the head.
- D. Monitor the vital signs every 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia, hypotension, and pale, damp skin suggest hypovolemic shock; Trendelenburg position (feet elevated, head lowered) improves cerebral perfusion, the first intervention. Surgeon notification, IV fluids, and monitoring follow.
Which client outcome would the nurse identify for the preoperative client?
- A. The client's abnormal laboratory data will be reported to the anesthesiologist.
- B. The client will not have any postoperative complications for the first 24 hours.
- C. The client will demonstrate the use of a pillow to splint while deep breathing.
- D. The client will complete an advance directive before having the surgery.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Demonstrating pillow splinting for deep breathing prepares the client to prevent atelectasis, a measurable preoperative outcome. Lab reporting, complication-free periods, and advance directives are not client actions.