Preoperative (L) Flashcards
A 38-year-old female is admitted for an elective surgical procedure. Which information obtained by the nurse during the preoperative assessment is most important to report to the anesthesiologist before surgery?
a. The patients lack of knowledge about postoperative pain control measures
b. The patients statement that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks previously
c. The patients history of a postoperative infection following a prior cholecystectomy
d. The patients concern that she will be unable to care for her children postoperatively
b. The patients statement that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks previously
A patient who has never had any prior surgeries tells the nurse doing the preoperative assessment about an allergy to bananas and avocados. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
a. Notify the dietitian about the food allergies
b. Alert the surgery center about a possible latex allergy.
c. Reassure the patient that all allergies are noted on the medical record.
d. Ask whether the patient uses antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions
b. Alert the surgery center about a possible latex allergy.
The nurse is preparing to witness the patient signing the operative consent form when the patient says, I do not really understand what the doctor said. Which action best for the nurse to take?
a. Provide an explanation of the planned surgical procedure.
b. Notify the surgeon that the informed consent process is not complete.
c. Administer the prescribed preoperative antibiotics and withhold any ordered sedative medications.
d. Notify the operating room staff that the surgeon needs to give a more complete explanation of the procedure.
b. Notify the surgeon that the informed consent process is not complete.
Which topic is most important for the nurse to discuss preoperatively with a patient who is scheduled for abdominal surgery for an open cholecystectomy?
a. Care for the surgical incision
b. Medications used during surgery
c. Deep breathing and coughing techniques
d. Oral antibiotic therapy after discharge home
c. Deep breathing and coughing techniques
Five minutes after receiving the ordered preoperative midazolam (Versed) by IV injection, the patient asks to get up to go to the bathroom to urinate. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Assist the patient to the bathroom and stay with the patient to prevent falls
b. Offer a urinal or bedpan and position the patient in bed to promote voiding
c. Allow the patient up to the bathroom because medication onset is 10 minutes
d. Ask the patient to wait because catheterization is performed just before the surgery
b. Offer a urinal or bedpan and position the patient in bed to promote voiding
The nurse plans to provide preoperative teaching to an alert older man who has hearing and vision deficits. His wife usually answers most questions that are directed to the patient. Which action should the nurse take when doing the teaching?
a. Use printed materials for instruction so that the patient will have more time to review the material
b. Direct the teaching toward the wife because she is the obvious support and caregiver for the patient.
c. Provide additional time for the patient to understand preoperative instructions and carry out procedures
d. Ask the patients wife to wait in the hall in order to focus preoperative teaching with the patient himself.
c. Provide additional time for the patient to understand preoperative instructions and carry out procedures
Which information in the preoperative patients medication history is most important to communicate to the health care provider?
a. The patient uses acetaminophen (Tylenol) occasionally for aches and pains
b. The patient takes garlic capsules daily but did not take any on the surgical day
c. The patient has a history of cocaine use but quit using the drug over 10 years ago
d. The patient took a sedative medication the previous night to assist in falling asleep
b. The patient takes garlic capsules daily but did not take any on the surgical day
