Exam 3: PostOperative Nursing

Question 1

What does PACU stand for?

Answer 1

Postanesthesia Care Unit

Question 2

When does Post operative care begin?

Answer 2

When the patient enters the PACU

Question 3

When does Post operative care end?

Answer 3

When wound healing and functional recovery care are complete

Question 4

What is the number one priority for Post operative care in PACU

Answer 4

Airway

Question 5

What assessment and care are completed in the PACU

Answer 5

supplemental o2 until pt is breathing on their on, continuous SAo2 status, may need ABGs, resuscitation equipment, vital signs, continuous monitoring.

Question 6

What urine content should a post op pt have?

Answer 6

no less than 30 cc / hour

Question 7

What is an aldrete score?

Answer 7

score that the PACU nurses use to determine the pt’s readiness to be transferred out of the PACU. Medical scoring system that measures recovery after anesthesia.

Question 8

What parameters are measured with an Aldrete score?

Answer 8

activity level, respirations, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry.

Question 9

What are common post operative complications

Answer 9

hemorrhage, shock, DVT, pulmonary embolism, Atelectasis, urinary retention, altered bowel elimination, ileus, wound infection, wound dehiscence, wound evisceration

Question 10

What are some non-verbal signs of pain?

Answer 10

wincing, holding incision site, irritability, frowning

Question 11

What are signs and symptoms of shock from hemorrhage?

Answer 11

tachycardia, decreased BP, pale moist skin and restlessness

Question 12

What should you do if a patient cannot swallow oral secretions?

Answer 12

They may need suctioning.

Question 13

What is a complication of narcotics?

Answer 13

depress breathing and constipation

Question 14

How often should coughing and deep breathing occur?

Answer 14

every 1 to 2 hours while awake to prevent atelectasis

Question 15

How often should bowel sounds be heard ?

Answer 15

Every 8 seconds

Question 16

How often should VS be taken for the first hour post op?

Answer 16

every 15 mins

Question 17

How should you start a patient on fluids after removing an NG tube?

Answer 17

Offer small sips of water first

Question 18

What can a hypoactive bowel cause?

Answer 18

abdominal gas pains

Question 19

What are the signs of a wound infection post op?

Answer 19

fever, reddened incision, pain increased in incision

Question 20

What are signs of PE post op?

Answer 20

SOB, chest pain, increased respirations, anxiety, dyspnea, cough and cyanosis

Question 21

What is evisceration

Answer 21

removal of the viscera or the contents of a cavity. Spilling out of abdominal contents

Question 22

What is dehiscence

Answer 22

when a surgical incision reopens either internally or externally.

Question 23

What does brownish blood on a dressing indicate?

Answer 23

That it is not fresh bleeding

Question 24

What do leg exercises help to prevent?

Answer 24

thrombophlebitis

Question 25

What is normal to experience after spinal anesthesia?

Answer 25

Numbness and heaviness in the legs

Question 26

What can early ambulation help?

Answer 26

to prevent post operative complications

Question 27

What is a sign of urinary retention?

Answer 27

Bladder distension

Question 28

SCD’s Sequential compression devices can help to reduce what risk?

Answer 28

of developing blood clots

Question 29

What should you have a patient do before getting out of bed for the first time?

Answer 29

Dangle their legs

Question 30

What is a nosocomial infection?

Answer 30

Hospital acquired infection

Question 31

What should you record on the I & O sheet?

Answer 31

drainage from multiple drainage systems seperately

Question 32

What is Post operative ileus?

Answer 32

loss of bowel mobility occasionally resulting in intestinal obstruction.

Question 33

what are the signs and symptoms of post op ileus

Answer 33

delayed bowel movement or passage of flatus, abdominal distension, bloating, diffuse, persistent pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to pass gas or intolerance to an oral diet.