front 1 A client had an open cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) 36 hours
earlier, and the nurse's assessment this morning confirms that the
client has not yet had a bowel movement since prior to surgery. How
should the nurse best respond to this assessment
finding? | back 1 Monitor the client closely and promote fluid intake. Bowel function does not typically return immediately after surgery, but it can be promoted by encouraging fluid and fiber intake as appropriate to the client and his or her surgery. A medical assessment is likely unnecessary at this early postoperative stage, and an enema would likely be premature. The nurse may not independently increase the client's IV infusion, and doing so would not necessarily promote a bowel movement. |
front 2 The nurse is preparing a client for surgery and asks if the client
has an advance directive. The client asks “What is an advance
directive?” What is the nurse’s best response to this? | back 2 “An advance directive will communicate your wishes for health care postoperatively in case you are unable to do so.” An advance directive allows the client to communicate instructions for health care postoperatively in case of an inability to do so. Although an advance directive is either a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care, and the hospital does like to determine if the client has these, these are not the best answers to the client’s question. The nurse would not want to explain to the client that he or she may not wake up after surgery |
front 3 A nurse administers anticholinergics to a patient as a postoperative
medication. What condition does this medication help to
prevent? | back 3 Laryngospasm Anticholinergics, such as atropine and glycopyrrolate (Robinul), to decrease pulmonary and oral secretions and to prevent laryngospasm. Cardiovascular complications, nausea, and shock are not affected by anticholinergic medications. |
front 4 A nurse is caring for an inpatient client scheduled to undergo a
surgery for the removal of a malignant tumor. What are the risk
factors that increase the likelihood of perioperative complications?
Select all that apply. | back 4 • Obesity |
front 5 The nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. The nurse is
familiar with the colonoscopy procedures at the hospital and is aware
that which type of anesthesia is commonly used for this
procedure? | back 5 Conscious sedation Moderate sedation/analgesia is also known as conscious sedation or procedural sedation. It is used for short-term and minimally invasive procedures such as endoscopy procedures (e.g., colonoscopy) |
front 6 Which of these clients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
requires the most immediate attention by the
nurse? | back 6 a client who is pale and diaphoretic with a heart rate of 115 beats/minute All of these clients need attention but the one who is pale and diaphoretic with an elevated heart rate is the most unstable; this client needs further assessment to determine if there is a fluid volume deficit, which could be due to active bleeding or inadequate fluid replacement during surgery. |
front 7 The nurse knows the term perioperative phase refers to care
given to the client: | back 7 before, during, and after the operative phase. Perioperative nursing includes three distinct phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. |
front 8 The nurse recognizes the value of leg exercises in the prevention of
postoperative thrombophlebitis. When should the nurse teach the
correct technique for leg exercises to a client? | back 8 prior to surgery Though leg exercises are begun after surgery, such preventative measures should ideally be taught to the client during the preoperative period |
front 9 Which nursing action should the PACU nurse take to prevent
postoperative complications in clients? | back 9 Assist the client to do leg exercises to increase venous return. Leg exercises increase venous return in order to prevent the postoperative complication of clot formation in the lower extremities. Coughing, while splinting the incision, and deep breathing is encouraged to prevent respiratory complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis. Turning the client stimulates the circulatory and respiratory system, and prevents skin breakdown. |
front 10 The procedural physician has initiated performance of a time-out in
the operating room before surgery. The student nurse asks the
operating room nurse why this is important. What is the operating room
nurse’s best response? | back 10 “The time-out checks to be sure that we have the right client and procedure.” The time-out is a safety measure performed before any surgical procedure and allows the operating room staff to determine they have the right client, procedure, and side (if appropriate). The client’s baseline vital signs should have already been performed. The anesthesia is managed by the anesthetist or anesthesiologist when the procedural physician is prepared for the beginning of the operation; however, this is not part of the time-out. The preoperative antibiotic should be administered within 60 minutes of the surgery but is also not part of the time-out. |
front 11 A nurse is dressing the wound of a client who is admitted to the
outpatient surgical unit. What is a major advantage of outpatient
surgery? | back 11 It interferes less with the client's daily routine. A major advantage of outpatient surgery is that it interferes less with the client's daily routine. It also allows more opportunity for family contact and support. Some disadvantages are that it reduces the time for establishing a nurse–client relationship and requires intensive preoperative education in a short time. |
front 12 Which measure would the nurse implement for prevention of deep vein
thrombosis (DVT) in a postoperative client? | back 12 Place graduated compression stockings on the client. Use of graduated compression stockings and/or pneumatic compression devices on the client will help with prevention of DVT, which is a risk for clients after surgery. Elevating the client’s legs will passively improve venous return but not prevent DVT if a client is not up and walking (to more actively promote the venous return). Elevating the head of the bed and using the incentive spirometer help prevent postoperative complications of atelectasis or pneumonia. |
front 13 A female client age 54 years has been scheduled for a bunionectomy
(removal of bone tissue from the base of the great toe) which will be
conducted on an ambulatory basis. Which characteristic applies to this
type of surgery? | back 13 The client will be admitted the day of surgery and return home the same day. Outpatient surgeries, also known as ambulatory surgeries, are conducted with admission and discharge on the same day. Such surgeries have become increasingly common in recent years, and some surgeries of increasing complexity and risk are conducted on an outpatient basis. General anesthesia is possible, and common. This approach is more common for elective surgeries than urgent surgeries |
front 14 The nurse enters a postoperative client's room and finds that the
client is bleeding profusely from the surgical incision. What would be
the nurse's most appropriate initial
response? | back 14 Apply pressure to the surgical site to decrease bleeding. It is essential that the nurse be prepared to address life-threatening needs of the client. Excessive bleeding is a life-threatening issue. Determining the cause of the client's bleeding, assessing the vital signs, and notifying the health care provider are important, but the life-threatening issue must be addressed first. |
front 15 Which client most likely requires special
preoperative assessment and treatment as a result of the existing
medication regimen? | back 15 a woman who takes daily anticoagulants to treat atrial fibrillation Anticoagulants present a risk of hemorrhage. This risk supersedes that posed by thyroid supplements, ACE inhibitors, or most NSAIDs. |
front 16 Which client would a nurse monitor most closely for postoperative
respiratory complications? | back 16 a 55-year-old client with a history of asthma who had a colon resection All of these clients have a potential for respiratory complications, which can occur with chest or abdominal surgery, preexisting cardiovascular or respiratory disease, and in older adults or obese clients. The client who has had abdominal surgery and has preexisting respiratory disease would be at the greatest risk for observation of any respiratory complications (due to having two factors instead of only one). The pediatric client having a tonsillectomy would need to be observed for any airway problems but would not be a greater risk than the client with two risk factors. |
front 17 What information must be provided to a patient to obtain informed
consent? (Select all that apply.) | back 17 • A description of the procedure or treatment, along with potential
alternative therapies |
front 18 A nurse is applying a pneumatic compression device to a client. What
is the purpose of a pneumatic compression device? | back 18 promotes circulation of venous blood A pneumatic compression device promotes the circulation of venous blood and relocation of excess fluid into the lymphatic vessels. The device does not pump a liquid diet to the client, help the client to void, or reduce swelling and pain. |
front 19 A nurse is discussing a surgical procedure with a client who needs to
sign his informed consent. Which of these tasks is part of the nursing
role? | back 19 witnessing the client signature with their consent for surgery The nursing role with informed consent is to witness the client signature on the form. The procedural physician is responsible for explaining the procedure, any alternative treatment, and the risks and benefits of having the surgery. The nurse may clarify information, but if in-depth explanation is needed, the procedural physician should be notified |
front 20 The nurse recognizes that palliative surgery is performed for what
purpose? | back 20 to lessen the intensity of an illness Palliative surgery is performed to help lessen the intensity of an illness; it is not meant to be curative but will help improve the client’s quality of life. A diagnostic surgery makes or confirms a diagnosis such as with a biopsy to check for cancer. A removal of a body part that is diseased is ablative surgery, such as an appendectomy. Restoring function to traumatized tissue is reconstructive surgery, such as with plastic surgery |
front 21 Which statement, if made by an adolescent preparing for abdominal
surgery, would indicate to the nurse that the client requires
additional instruction? | back 21 “I can have a hamburger and French fries as soon as I wake up.” Oral fluid and food may be withheld until intestinal motility resumes. |
front 22 A nurse teaches deep breathing exercises to a client scheduled for
surgery. In which perioperative phase would this action
occur? | back 22 Preoperative Exercises and physical activities occurring in the preoperative phase include deep-breathing exercises, coughing, incentive spirometry, turning, leg exercises, and pneumatic compression stockings. |
front 23 A client is in the preoperative area and states, "I am not sure
about having surgery." What is the nurse’s best
response? | back 23 “Can you tell me what your feelings are about the surgery?” The client who is unsure about surgery needs their feelings explored to determine why the client doubts the decision. After exploring these feelings, the nurse can then contact the procedural physician and make this person aware of the client’s concerns. Asking the client why the client wouldn't want the surgery is phrased negatively and implies a judgment by the nurse on the client’s feelings; likewise, the client wouldn't be told to have the surgery done without allowing the client to express feelings. |
front 24 A client has arrived to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and is
drowsy with a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. What would be
an accurate interpretation by the nurse? | back 24 This is an expected finding in the immediate postoperative period. Having drowsiness and a respiratory rate of 12 breaths/minute are normal findings in the immediate postoperative period. The client needs to be monitored to ensure that there is no deterioration in respiratory status, and the client awakens readily. As the anesthetics wear off, the client should return to a normal level of consciousness. The nurse would not need to notify the procedural physician or return the client to the operating room because this is not an emergent situation. |
front 25 In the postoperative phase of abdominal surgery, the client reports
severe abdominal pain. In the second postoperative day, the client's
bowel sounds are absent. What does the nurse suspect? | back 25 Paralytic ileus A potential complication after surgery is paralytic ileus, a condition in which there is decreased bowel functioning. |
front 26 As a circulating nurse caring for a 45-year-old man undergoing left
knee arthroscopic exploratory surgery, which task ensures that the
team is on the same page and will perform the procedure on the right
client and at the right site? | back 26 Procedural pause (time-out) The procedural pause (time-out) must be done prior to any procedure to ensure client safety and to verify the client identity, staff roles, and procedure being performed. |
front 27 A client has been taking aspirin since his heart attack in 1997. The
client is at risk
for: | back 27 hemorrhage. Current medication use, especially use of medications that can affect coagulation status (warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin) is important and should be reported to the surgeon. |
front 28 The nurse has entered the room of a client who is postoperative day 1
and finds the client grimacing and guarding her incision. The client
refuses the nurse's offer of p.r.n. analgesia and, on discussion,
states that this refusal is motivated by his fear of becoming addicted
to pain medications. How should the nurse respond to the client's
concerns? | back 28 "Research has shown that there is very little risk of clients becoming addicted to painkillers after they have surgery." There is little danger of addiction to pain medications used in the postoperative management of pain. |
front 29 A 51-year-old woman with a diagnosis of breast cancer has been
scheduled for a unilateral mastectomy during which biopsies of her
axillary lymph nodes will be taken. Which categorizations of surgical
procedures are represented in this client's case? Select all that apply. | back 29 Diagnostic |
front 30 A nurse from the ambulatory surgical center is preparing discharge
instructions for a client who has had pelvic surgery. Which criterion
would the client need to demonstrate to ensure that she is ready for
discharge? | back 30 Void normally Before discharge from an ambulatory surgical unit, the client should be able to void normally after a pelvic surgery. It is natural for the client to experience pain after surgery; however, the client should also have the comfort level to control it. The client may not be in a position to eliminate nausea and vomiting completely before discharge, but should suffer minimally from them. The client may have some bleeding or drainage, which should not be excessive at the time of discharge from an ambulatory surgical unit. |
front 31 A nurse is reinforcing wound edges and applying a blinder to the
separated incisions of a client after a surgery. Which postoperative
complication has the client developed? | back 31 Dehiscence The nurse is taking care of a client with dehiscence. Hypoxemia develops when there is inadequate oxygenation of blood. Evisceration occurs when there is protrusion of abdominal organs through a separated wound. A client has shock when there is inadequate blood flow. |
front 32 Which nursing action will best promote pain management for a client
in the postoperative phase? | back 32 no data |
front 33 The nurse is providing education for a postoperative client regarding
pain management. Which teaching point should the nurse
include? | back 33 no data |
front 34 Which surgical client does the nurse in the preoperative setting
anticipate having the greatest potential for surgical
complications? | back 34 no data |
front 35 A nurse is preparing an obese male client for gastric banding
surgery. What would the nurse be least likely to include in the
client's preoperative education plan? | back 35 no data |
front 36 A 2-year-old toddler just underwent a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
surgery. The postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse is checking on him.
What is the best course of action regarding the developmental care of
this child? | back 36 no data |
front 37 A client is undergoing surgery for an appendectomy. This would be
considered what type of surgery? | back 37 no data |
front 38 A client in the immediate postoperative period begins to report
nausea and ultimately begins vomiting. The nausea and vomiting are
most likely related to: | back 38 no data |