The nurse requests the client to sign a surgical informed consent form for an emergency appendectomy. Which statement by the client indicates further teaching is needed?
- A. I will be glad when this is over so I can go home today.
- B. I will not be able to eat or drink anything prior to my surgery.
- C. I can practice relaxing by listening to my favorite music.
- D. I will need to get up and walk as soon as possible.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emergency appendectomy requires postoperative recovery, typically 1–2 days in hospital, so expecting to go home today indicates misunderstanding. NPO status, relaxation, and early ambulation are correct.
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The client diagnosed with appendicitis has undergone an appendectomy. At two (2) hours postoperative, the nurse takes the vital signs and notes T 102.6°F, P 132, R 26, and BP 92/46. Which interventions should the nurse implement? List in order of priority.
- A. Increase the IV rate.
- B. Notify the health-care provider.
- C. Elevate the foot of the bed.
- D. Check the abdominal dressing.
- E. Determine if the IV antibiotics have been administered.
Correct Answer: C,A,B,D,E
Rationale: 1) Elevate foot of bed (Trendelenburg for hypotension); 2) Notify HCP (fever, tachycardia, hypotension suggest sepsis); 3) Increase IV rate (bolus for hypovolemia); 4) Check dressing (assess bleeding); 5) Confirm antibiotics (treat infection).
Which nursing task would be most appropriate to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on a postoperative unit?
- A. Change the dressing over the surgical site.
- B. Teach the client how to perform incentive spirometry.
- C. Empty and record the amount of drainage in the JP drain.
- D. Auscultate the bowel sounds in all four (4) quadrants.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Emptying and recording JP drain output is a technical task within UAP scope. Dressing changes, teaching, and auscultation require nursing judgment.
The nurse is interviewing a surgical client in the holding area. Which information should the nurse report to the anesthesiologist? Select all that apply.
- A. The client has loose, decayed teeth.
- B. The client is experiencing anxiety.
- C. The client smokes two (2) packs of cigarettes a day.
- D. The client has had a chest x-ray which does not show infiltrates.
- E. The client reports using herbs.
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Loose teeth risk airway obstruction, smoking affects respiratory function and anesthesia, and herbs (e.g., ginseng) may interact with anesthesia, requiring anesthesiologist notification. Anxiety is common, and clear x-rays are reassuring.
The circulating nurse notes a discrepancy in the needle count. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Inform the other members of the surgical team about the problem.
- B. Assume the original count was wrong and change the record.
- C. Call the radiology department to perform a portable x-ray.
- D. Complete an occurrence report and notify the risk manager.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Informing the team prompts a recount and investigation, the first step to prevent retained needles. Assuming errors, ordering x-rays, or reporting are premature.
The client is in the lithotomy position during surgery. Which nursing intervention should be implemented to decrease a complication from the positioning?
- A. Increase the intravenous fluids.
- B. Lower one leg at a time.
- C. Raise the foot of the stretcher.
- D. Administer epinephrine, a vasopressor.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lowering legs sequentially prevents rapid blood pressure drops from venous pooling, reducing circulatory complications in lithotomy. Fluids, stretcher elevation, and epinephrine are unrelated.