Exam 16: Care of Postoperative Patients

A postanesthesia care unit (PACU)nurse is assessing a postoperative client with a nasogastric (NG)tube.What laboratory values would warrant intervention by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A postoperative client vomited.After cleaning and comforting the client,which action by the nurse is most important?

A client on the postoperative nursing unit has a blood pressure of 156/98 mm Hg,pulse 140 beats/min,and respirations of 24 breaths/min.The client denies pain,has normal hemoglobin,hematocrit,and oxygen saturation,and shows no signs of infection.What should the nurse assess next?

The postanesthesia care unit (PACU)charge nurse notes vital signs on four postoperative clients.Which client should the nurse assess first?

A postoperative nurse is caring for a client whose oxygen saturation dropped from 98% to 95%.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Ten hours after surgery,a postoperative client reports that the antiembolism stockings and sequential compression devices itch and are too hot.The client asks the nurse to remove them.What response by the nurse is best?

A postoperative client is being discharged with a prescription for oxycodone hydrochloride with acetaminophen (Percocet).What instructions does the nurse give the client? (Select all that apply.)

A client is experiencing pain after leg surgery but cannot yet have more pain medication.What comfort interventions can the nurse provide? (Select all that apply.)

A postoperative client has just been admitted to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).What assessment by the PACU nurse takes priority?

A client had a surgical procedure with spinal anesthesia.The nurse raises the head of the client's bed.The client's blood pressure changes from 122/78 mm Hg to 102/50 mm Hg.What action by the nurse is best?

A registered nurse (RN)is watching a nursing student change a dressing and perform care around a Penrose drain.What action by the student warrants intervention by the RN?

A client has arrived in the postoperative unit.What action by the circulating nurse takes priority?

A postoperative client has the following orders: IV lactated Ringer's 125 mL/hr NG tube to low continuous suction Replace NG output every 4 hours with normal saline over 4 hours Morphine sulfate 2 mg IV push every hour as needed for pain NPO Up in chair tonight At 1600 (4:00 PM),the nurse measures the nasogastric (NG)output from noon to be 200 mL.What is the client's total IV rate for the next 4 hours? (Record your answer using a whole number.)_____ mL/hr

A postoperative client has respiratory depression after receiving midazolam (Versed)for sedation.Which IV-push medication and dose does the nurse prepare to administer?

A nurse on the postoperative nursing unit provides care to reduce the incidence of surgical wound infection.What actions are best to achieve this goal? (Select all that apply.)

An older adult has been transferred to the postoperative inpatient unit after surgery.The family is concerned that the client is not waking up quickly and states "She needs to get back to her old self!" What response by the nurse is best?

A nurse answers a call light on the postoperative nursing unit.The client states there was a sudden gush of blood from the incision,and the nurse sees a blood spot on the sheet.What action should the nurse take first?

A nurse is admitting an older client for surgery to the inpatient surgical unit.The client relates a prior history of acute confusion after a previous operation.What interventions does the nurse include on the client's plan of care to minimize the potential for this occurring? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports discomfort,but denies serious pain and does not want medication.What action by the nurse is best to promote comfort?

A nurse orienting to the postoperative area learns which principles about the postoperative period? (Select all that apply.)