Nokea
The nurses teaching plan includes exercises of the extremities. What is the purpose of teaching a patient leg exercises prior to surgery?
- A. Leg exercises increase the patients muscle mass postoperatively
- B. Leg exercises improve circulation and prevent venous thrombosis
- C. Leg exercises help to prevent pressure sores to the sacrum and heels
- D. Leg exercise help increase the patients level of consciousness after surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exercise of the extremities includes extension and flexion of the knee and hip joints (similar to bicycle riding while lying on the side) unless contraindicated by type of surgical procedure (e.g., hip replacement). When the patient does leg exercises postoperatively, circulation is increased, which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Leg exercises do not prevent pressure sores to the sacrum, or increase the patients level of consciousness. Leg exercises have the potential to increase strength and mobility, but are unlikely to make a change to muscle mass in the short term.
You may also like to solve these questions
The clinic nurse is doing a preoperative assessment of a patient who will be undergoing outpatient cataract surgery with lens implantation in 1 week. While taking the patients medical history, the nurse notes that this patient had a kidney transplant 8 years ago and that the patient is taking immunosuppressive drugs. For what is this patient at increased risk when having surgery?
- A. Rejection of the kidney
- B. Rejection of the implanted lens
- C. Infection
- D. Adrenal storm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Because patients who are immunosuppressed are highly susceptible to infection, great care is taken to ensure strict asepsis. The patient is unlikely to experience rejection or adrenal storm.
The nurse is teaching her to perform deep breathing and coughing to use postoperatively. What action should the nurse teach the patient?
- A. The patient should take three deep breaths and cough hard three times, at least every 15 minutes for the immediately postoperative period
- B. The patient should take three deep breaths and exhale forcefully and then take a quick short breath and cough from deep in the lungs
- C. The patient should take a deep breath in through the mouth and exhale through the mouth, take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs
- D. The patient should rapidly inhale, hold for 30 seconds or as long as possible, and exhale slowly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient assumes a sitting position to enhance lung expansion. The nurse then demonstrates how to take a deep, slow breath and how to exhale slowly. After practicing deep breathing several times, the patient is instructed to breathe deeply, exhale through the mouth, take a short breath, and cough from deep in the lungs.
The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. The patient states that she is very nervous and really does not understand what the surgical procedure is for or how it will be performed. What is the most appropriate nursing action for the nurse to take?
- A. Have the patient sign the informed consent and place it in the chart
- B. Call the physician to review the procedure with the patient
- C. Explain the procedure clearly to the patient and her family
- D. Provide the patient with a pamphlet explaining the procedure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While the nurse may ask the patient to sign the consent form and witness the signature, it is the surgeons responsibility to provide a clear and simple explanation of what the surgery will entail prior to the patient giving consent. The surgeon must also inform the patient of the benefits, alternatives, possible risks, complications, disfigurement, disability, and removal of body parts as well as what to expect in the early and late postoperative periods. The nurse clarifies the information provided, and, if the patient requests additional information, the nurse notifies the physician. The consent form should not be signed until the patient understands the procedure that has been explained by the surgeon. The provision of a pamphlet will benefit teaching the patient about the surgical procedure, but will not substitute for the information provided by the physician.
A patient is on call to the OR for an aortobifemoral bypass and the nurse administers the ordered preoperative medication. After administering a preoperative medication to the patient, what should the nurse do?
- A. Encourage light ambulation
- B. Place the bed in a low position with the side rails up
- C. Tell the patient that he will be asleep before he leaves for surgery
- D. Take the patients vital signs every 15 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the preoperative medication is given, the bed should be placed in low position with the side rails raised. The patient should not get up without assistance. The patient may not be asleep, but he may be drowsy. Vital signs should be taken before the preoperative medication is given; vital signs are not normally required every 15 minutes after administration.
A clinic nurse is conducting a preoperative interview with an adult patient who will soon be scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery. What interview question most directly addresses the patients safety?
- A. What prescription and nonprescription medications do you currently take?
- B. Have you previously been admitted to the hospital, either for surgery or for medical treatment?
- C. How long do you expect to be at home recovering after your surgery?
- D. Would you say that you tend to eat a fairly healthy diet?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: It is imperative to know a preoperative patients current medication regimen, including OTC medications and supplements. None of the other listed questions directly addresses an issue with major safety implications.