What does the nurse give priority to assessing immediately following Mr. Singer’s total laryngectomy?
- A. Elimination patterns
- B. Level of pain
- C. Gag reflex
- D. Respiratory status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory status is critical due to the altered airway anatomy.
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Which client(s) would be best to assign to an experienced nurse in an ambulatory eye surgery center? (Choose all that apply.)
- A. A client who needs post-operative instructions for cataract surgery.
- B. A client who needs an eye-pad and a metal shield applied.
- C. A client who needs home health referral for dressing changes and eye drops.
- D. A client who needs teaching about self-administration of eye drops.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients requiring complex post-operative instructions, such as those for cataract surgery, benefit most from the expertise of an experienced nurse.
What does weight gain during the postoperative period indicate?
- A. Urine retention
- B. Healthy recovery
- C. Paralytic ileus
- D. Hypoxia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because weight gain can indicate fluid retention due to paralytic ileus.
A 35-year-old client is admitted for elective tubal ligation. During the preoperative teaching, the client states, 'The anesthesiologist said she was going to give me balanced anesthesia. What exactly is that?' The best explanation by the nurse is that balanced anesthesia:
- A. is a type of regional anesthesia.
- B. uses equal amounts of inhalation agents and liquid agents.
- C. does not depress the central nervous system.
- D. is a combination of several anesthetic agents or drugs, which produce a smooth induction with minimal complications.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A regional anesthesia does not produce loss of consciousness and is indicated for excision of moles, cysts, and endoscopic surgeries. Varying amounts of anesthetic agents are used when employing balanced anesthesia. The amounts used depend on the age, weight, condition of the client and the surgical procedure. General anesthesia is a drug induced depression of the central nervous system, which produces loss of consciousness and decreased muscle activity. Balanced anesthesia is a combination of a number of anesthetic agents that produce a smooth induction, appropriate depth of anesthesia, and appropriate muscle relaxation with minimal complications.
What should govern the nurse’s actions regarding Mr. West rubbing Mrs. West’s calf?
- A. Touch is an important method of communication
- B. It is important to involve family members in patient care
- C. Massage increases circulation, therefore reducing tenderness
- D. A thrombus becomes an embolus when dislodged
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Massaging the leg could dislodge a clot, leading to complications.
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a preoperative patient. Which test result should be brought to the attention of the surgeon immediately?
- A. Serum K+ of 3.8 mEq/L
- B. Hemoglobin of 15 g/dL
- C. Blood glucose of 100 mg/dL
- D. White blood cell (WBC) count of 18,500/µL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An elevated WBC count indicates potential infection, requiring immediate attention.
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