Nokea
The nurse is obtaining the health history for a patient who is scheduled for outpatient knee surgery. Which of the following statements by the patient is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
- A. I had a heart valve replacement last year.
- B. I had bacterial pneumonia 6 months ago.
- C. I have knee pain whenever I walk or jog.
- D. I have a strong family history of breast cancer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A patient with a history of valve replacement is at risk for endocarditis associated with invasive procedures and may need antibiotic prophylaxis. A current respiratory infection may affect whether the patient should have surgery, but a history of pneumonia is not a reason to postpone surgery. The patient's knee pain is the likely reason for the surgery. A family history of breast cancer does not have any implications for the current surgery.
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The nurse is preparing a patient for abdominal surgery who takes a diuretic and a β-blocker pill to control blood pressure. Which of the following patient information is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider before surgery?
- A. Pulse rate 59 beats/minute
- B. Hematocrit 35%
- C. Blood pressure 142/78 mm/Hg
- D. Serum potassium 3.3 mmol/L
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The low potassium level may increase the risk for intraoperative complications such as dysrhythmias. Slightly elevated blood pressure is common before surgery because of patient anxiety. The heart rate would be expected in a patient taking a β-blocker. The hematocrit is in the low normal range but does not require any intervention before surgery.
The nurse is completing a preoperative assessment of a patient scheduled for a colon resection and the patient tells the nurse about using St. John's wort to prevent depression. Which of the following information should the nurse alert the staff in the postanaesthesia recovery area about?
- A. Increased pain
- B. Hypertensive episodes
- C. Increased postanaesthesia waking time
- D. Increased postoperative bleeding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: St. John's wort may prolong the effects of anaesthetic agents and increase the time to waken completely after surgery. It is not associated with increased bleeding risk, hypertension, or increased pain.
The nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes who is scheduled for a mastectomy at 1:00 PM today and it is now 8:30 AM. The patient uses insulin to control blood glucose and has been NPO since midnight. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Withhold the usual scheduled insulin dose because the patient is NPO.
- B. Obtain a blood glucose measurement before any insulin administration.
- C. Administer the usual insulin dose because stress will increase the blood glucose.
- D. Administer a lower dose of insulin because there will be no oral intake before surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preoperative insulin administration is individualized to the patient, and the current blood glucose will provide the most reliable information about insulin needs. It Sp?³??
The nurse is admitting a female patient for an outpatient surgery procedure. Which of the following information is most important to report to the anaesthesiologist before surgery?
- A. The patient's lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control measures
- B. The patient's statement that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks previously
- C. The patient's history of a postoperative infection following a prior cholecystectomy
- D. The patient's concern that she will be unable to care for her children postoperatively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This statement suggests that the patient may be pregnant, and pregnancy testing is needed before administration of anaesthetic agents. Although the other data also may be communicated with the surgeon and anaesthesiologist, they will affect postoperative care and do not indicate a need for further assessment before surgery.
According to the ASA Physical Status Classification System, which of the following assessments is consistent with a rating of ASA III?
- A. Persistent asthma, controlled with an inhaler and corticosteroids
- B. Poorly controlled asthma and is wheezing
- C. Is in status asthmaticus and on a ventilator
- D. Has no significant health problems
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A patient assessed as a rating of III on the ASA Physical Status Classification System has a history of persistent asthma controlled with β-adrenergic agonist inhaler and inhaled corticosteroids and is not wheezing. Poorly controlled asthma and wheezing is a rating of IV. No significant health problems, past or present, is a rating of I. A patient in status asthmaticus, intubated and on a ventilator, receiving corticosteroids intravenously, is rated as a V.