Question 1

The nurse wants to detect a paralytic ileus promptly in a patient after a total abdominal hysterectomy.Which method is best for the nurse to use to assess for this postoperative complication?

Accepted Answer

A)  Auscultate the bowel sounds every few hours. 
B)  Palpate the suprapubic region for distention. 
C)  Evaluate the patient's postoperative appetite. 
D)  Administer stool softeners for prophylaxis.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a shivering 66-year-old patient immediately after back surgery under general anesthesia.Which nursing intervention is most suitable for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Apply warm blankets to stop the shivering. 
B)  Administer medication to relax the muscles. 
C)  Use a cooling mat to lower the body temperature. 
D)  Tell the patient that shivering is to be expected after surgery.

Question 3

The nurse admits the patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)after hand surgery.The patient is groggy but can respond after receiving conscious sedation and regional anesthesia.Which action by the nurse is priority?

Accepted Answer

A)  Position the head to maintain a patent airway. 
B)  Elevate the affected hand higher than the level of the heart. 
C)  Monitor the circulatory status in the operative hand. 
D)  Measure the core body temperature.

Question 4

While being prepared for surgery,the patient tells the nurse that he didn't take the ordered antibiotics in preparation for the surgery.What initial action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Document what the patient just said. 
B)  Order the missed medication but in a parenteral form. 
C)  Notify the patient's surgeon. 
D)  Ask the patient why he didn't take it.

Question 5

The nurse interviews a preoperative patient who evades all questions about medications taken at home.Which is the best response for the nurse to use to facilitate safe,effective nursing care?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I feel that you're uneasy about discussing medications." 
B)  "Why don't you want to talk about your medications?" 
C)  "You're avoiding me; so you must have a big secret." 
D)  "Don't you think that it's important to discuss medications?"

Question 6

1. Postoperative pain tends to be undertreated in _______ ___________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 1. Postoperative pain tends to be undertreated...

Question 7

The nurse plans assignments for the staff in an ambulatory surgery center.Which assignment can the nurse delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bring the preoperative medications prepared by the nurse to the patient. 
B)  Administer a preoperative enema to the patient. 
C)  Instruct the patient to arrange for a ride home and a companion after surgery. 
D)  Reinforce preoperative teaching related to the patient's postoperative diet.

Question 8

3. Maintenance of body temperature in infants and children after surgery is a priority because of their ____________ temperature-control mechanisms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 3. Maintenance of body temperature in infants...

Question 9

At what point in the surgical recovery process does the nurse need to ambulate the hospitalized patient for the first time?

Accepted Answer

A)  At discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) 
B)  After discharge to home and before complete recovery 
C)  Between induction for surgery and arrival in the PACU 
D)  After discharge from the PACU and before discharge to home

Question 10

2. Effective methods for helping children share their feelings about surgery are _____ and __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 2. Effective methods for helping children share...

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient who had an ovarian cyst removed under general anesthesia 12 hours ago.Which is the most important goal for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  The patient will cough and deep breathe every hour for 48 hours. 
B)  The patient will have bowel sounds within 24 hours after surgery. 
C)  The patient will exercise the feet and ankles 3 times this shift. 
D)  The patient will ambulate tonight and 3 times tomorrow.

Question 12

The nurse prepares the patient for surgery to begin in 1 hour,but the pregnancy test included in the preoperative orders written yesterday is not in the medical record.Which action should the nurse implement first?

Accepted Answer

A)  Call the laboratory to determine if they have the pregnancy test results. 
B)  Collaborate with the surgeon. 
C)  Draw a stat pregnancy test. 
D)  Ask the patient if she is pregnant.

Question 13

4. The __________ phase in the care of postoperative patients extends from the time the patient leaves the operating room (OR)to the time of transfer to the nursing unit.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 4. The __________ phase in the care...

Exam 28: Preoperative and Postoperative Care

The nurse wants to detect a paralytic ileus promptly in a patient after a total abdominal hysterectomy.Which method is best for the nurse to use to assess for this postoperative complication?

The nurse is caring for a shivering 66-year-old patient immediately after back surgery under general anesthesia.Which nursing intervention is most suitable for this patient?

The nurse admits the patient to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after hand surgery.The patient is groggy but can respond after receiving conscious sedation and regional anesthesia.Which action by the nurse is priority?