Nokea
The patients surgery is nearly finished and the surgeon has opted to use tissue adhesives to close the surgical wound. This requires the nurse to prioritize assessments related to what complication?
- A. Hypothermia
- B. Anaphylaxis
- C. Infection
- D. Malignant hyperthermia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fibrin sealants are used in a variety of surgical procedures, and cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives are used to close wounds without the use of sutures. These sealants have been implicated in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. There is not an increased risk of malignant hyperthermia, hypothermia, or infection because of the use of tissue adhesives.
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A patient will be undergoing a total hip arthroplasty later in the day and it is anticipated that the patient may require blood transfusion during surgery. How can the nurse best ensure the patients safety if a blood transfusion is required?
- A. Prime IV tubing with a unit of blood and keep it on hold.
- B. Check that the patients electrolyte levels have been assessed preoperatively.
- C. Ensure that the patient has had a current cross-match.
- D. Keep the blood on standby and warmed to body temperature.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Few patients undergoing an elective procedure require blood transfusion, but those undergoing high-risk procedures may require an intraoperative transfusion. The circulating nurse anticipates this need, checks that blood has been cross-matched and held in reserve, and is prepared to administer blood. Storing the blood at body temperature or in IV tubing would result in spoilage and potential infection.
You are caring for a male patient who has had spinal anesthesia. The patient is under a physicians order to lie flat postoperatively. When the patient asks to go to the bathroom, you encourage him to adhere to the physicians order. What rationale for complying with this order should the nurse explain to the patient?
- A. Preventing the risk of hypotension
- B. Preventing respiratory depression
- C. Preventing the onset of a headache
- D. Preventing pain at the lumbar injection site
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lying flat reduces the risk of headache after spinal anesthesia. Hypotension and respiratory depression may be adverse effects of spinal anesthesia associated with the spread of the anesthetic, but lying flat does not help reduce these effects. Pain at the lumbar injection site typically is not a problem.
Verification that all required documentation is completed is an important function of the intraoperative nurse. The intraoperative nurse should confirm that the patients accompanying documentation includes which of the following?
- A. Discharge planning
- B. Informed consent
- C. Analgesia prescription
- D. Educational resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is important to review the patients record for the following: correct informed surgical consent, with patients signature; completed records for health history and physical examination; results of diagnostic studies; and allergies (including latex). Discharge planning records and prescriptions are not normally necessary. Educational resources would not be included at this stage of the surgical process.
The nurse is performing wound care on a 68-year-old postsurgical patient. Which of the following practices violates the principles of surgical asepsis?
- A. Holding sterile objects above the level of the nurses waist
- B. Considering a 1 inch (2.5 cm) edge around the sterile field as being contaminated
- C. Pouring solution onto a sterile field cloth
- D. Opening the outermost flap of a sterile package away from the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Whenever a sterile barrier is breached, the area must be considered contaminated. Pouring solution onto a sterile field cloth violates surgical asepsis because moisture penetrating the cloth can carry microorganisms to the sterile field via capillary action. The other options are practices that help ensure surgical asepsis.
As an intraoperative nurse, you know that the patients emotional state can influence the outcome of his or her surgical procedure. How would you best reinforce the patients ability to influence outcome?
- A. Teach the patient strategies for distraction.
- B. Pair the patient with another patient who has better coping strategies.
- C. Incorporate cultural and religious considerations, as appropriate.
- D. Give the patient antianxiety medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Because the patients emotional state remains a concern, the care initiated by preoperative nurses is continued by the intraoperative nursing staff that provides the patient with information and reassurance. The nurse supports coping strategies and reinforces the patients ability to influence outcomes by encouraging active participation in the plan of care incorporating cultural, ethnic, and religious considerations, as appropriate. Buddying a patient is normally inappropriate and distraction may or may not be effective. Nonpharmacologic measures should be prioritized.