Postoperative Client Education QUIZ

Question 1

How often should the client monitor the surgery incision after the patient is discharged?
1. twice daily
2. once daily
3. every other day
4. the surgical site does not need to be checked after surgery

Answer 1

1. twice daily

Question 2

Infection within the abdominal cavity after surgery is called:
1. seroma
2. stricture
3. peritonitis
4. dehiscence

Answer 2

3. peritonitis

Question 3

At what age should an ovariohysterectomy be performed?
a. 12 weeks
b. 6 months
c. 1 year
d. when recommended by the veterinarian

Answer 3

d. when recommended by the veterinarian

Question 4

A client called to ask about vaginal discharge from her old English bulldog that had a caesarean section 3 days ago. What would you consider a normal discharge for this patient?
1. bloody and mucoid
2. black and malodorous
3. white and foul smelling
4. no discharge should be noted

Answer 4

1. bloody and mucoid

Question 5

What is the typical appearance of colostrum when expressed from the mammary gland?
1. red and thick
2. white and thin
3. white and thick
4. yellow and sticky

Answer 5

4. yellow and sticky

Question 6

How long should hematuria be expected post cystotomy?
1. no longer than 12 hours
2. no longer than 24 hours
3. up to 36 hours
4. up to 48 hours

Answer 6

3. up to 36 hours

Question 7

When should a patient return for a recheck and suture removal post-operatively (if patient is healing normally)?
a. 1 week
b. 3-6 days
c. 10-14 days
d. 3-4 weeks

Answer 7

c. 10-14 days

Question 8

What is the biggest postop concern following a cystotomy?
1. bloody urine
2. bladder distention
3. lethargy
4. frequent urination

Answer 8

2. bladder distention

Question 9

T/F: Newborns should be put back with their mothers to nurse as soon as possible, regardless if the mother has fully recovered from anesthesia or not.

Answer 9

False

Question 10

Simon has just undergone several tooth extractions due to excessive dental disease. You advise the owner to offer soft food postop. How long should Simon be on soft food?
a. 1-2 weeks
b. 1-2 months
c. 1-2 days
d. soft food is not necessary

Answer 10

a. 1-2 weeks

Question 11

T/F: A spay is a major abdominal surgery

Answer 11

True

Question 12

List 3 potential adverse effects seen post anesthesia:

Answer 12

1. vomiting
2. hypothermia
3. delirium
4. aspiration
5. poorly controlled pain
6. self-trauma
7. seroma/hematoma of incision site
8. anorexia/gi stasis
9. urinary retention/difficulty urinating

Question 13

Perry has just undergone a perianal surgery to remove a tumor in one of his anal glands. What are 2 things you would put in his discharge instructions that are specific to this surgery?

Answer 13

1. Contact veterinary team if patient is not defecating/straining to defecate/or expresses pain with defecation.
2. Contact veterinary team if patient has fecal incontinence.
3. Contact veterinary team if unable to give antibiotics.
4. Contact veterinary team if unable to keep surgery site clean/free of feces.

Question 14

Murray is being discharged following a gastrointestinal surgery to remove a kong toy he ingested. What are 2 things you would include in the discharge instructions that are specific to this surgery?

Answer 14

1. Feed bland low fiber diet for 5-7 days (i.e. Purina EN or white meat chicken/white rice); notify veterinary team if patient not eating, is vomiting or having diarrhea.
2. Prevent patient from licking abdominal incision (place T-shirt or E-collar if this is occurring).
3. Contact veterinary team immediately if abdominal pain or fever is occurring.

Question 15

What should be done before and after administering a liquid diet to a feeding tube?

Answer 15

1. Remove feeding tube cap and then replace cap when done with feeding and flush.
2. Flush line with 12ml of tepid (room to body temperature) water.