Chapter 50: Care of Surgical Patients
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is precepting a student nurse and explains that perioperative nursing care occurs
a.
... [Show More] Before, during, and after surgery.
b. In preadmission testing.
c. During the surgical procedure.
d. In the postanesthesia care unit.
ANS: A
Perioperative nursing care occurs before, during, and after a surgery. Preadmission testing
occurs before surgery and is considered preoperative. Nursing care provided during the
surgical procedure is considered intraoperative, and in the postanesthesia care unit, it is
considered postoperative. All of these are parts of the perioperative phase, but each individual
phase does not explain the term completely.
DIF: Remember REF: 1254 OBJ: Explain the concept of perioperative nursing care.
TOP: Implementation
MSC: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure. The nurse
is completing an assessment and reviews the patient’s laboratory tests and allergies. In which
perioperative nursing phase would this work be completed?
a. Perioperative
b. Preoperative
c. Intraoperative
d. Postoperative
ANS: B
Reviewing the patient’s laboratory tests and allergies is done before surgery in the
preoperative phase. Perioperative means before, during, and after surgery. Intraoperative
means during the surgical procedure in the operating suite; postoperative means after the
surgery and could occur in the postanesthesia care unit, in the ambulatory surgical area, or on
the hospital unit.
DIF: Understand REF: 1254 OBJ: Explain the concept of perioperative nursing care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient has developed
profuse bleeding from the surgical site, and the surgeon has determined the need to return to
the operative area. This procedure would be classified as
a. Elective.
b. Urgent.
c. Emergency.
d. Major.
ANS: C
An emergency procedure must be done immediately to save life or preserve function of a
body part. An example would be repair of a perforated appendix, repair of a traumatic
amputation, or control of internal hemorrhaging. An urgent procedure is necessary for a
patient’s health and often prevents additional problems form developing. An example would
be excision of a cancerous tumor, removal of a gallbladder for stones, or vascular repair for
obstructed artery. An elective procedure is performed on the basis of the patient’s choice; it is
not essential and is not always necessary for health. An example would be a bunionectomy,
plastic surgery, or hernia reconstruction. A major procedure involves extensive reconstruction
or alteration in body parts; it poses great risks to well-being. An example would be a coronary
artery bypass or colon resection.
DIF: Remember REF: 1256
OBJ: Differentiate between classifications of surgery and types of anesthesia.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
4. The nurse is caring for a patient in preadmission testing. The patient has been assigned a
physical status classification by the American Society of Anesthesiologist of P3. Which of the
following assessments would support this classification?
a. Denial of any major illnesses or conditions
b. Normal, healthy patient
c. History of hypertension, 80 pounds overweight, history of asthma
d. History of myocardial infarction that limits activity
ANS: C
A P3 is a patient with a severe systemic disease. Patients with hypertension, obesity, diabetes
mellitus, and asthma fit into this category. A P1 is a normal healthy patient. A P2 is a patient
with mild systemic disease. A P4 is a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant
threat to life.
DIF: Understand REF: 1256
OBJ: Differentiate between classifications of surgery and types of anesthesia.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
5. The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a colonoscopy. The patient
is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) during the procedure.
Moderate sedation is used routinely for procedures that require
a. Performance on an outpatient basis.
b. A depressed level of consciousness.
c. Loss of sensation in an area of the body.
d. The patient to be immobile.
ANS: B
Moderate sedation (conscious sedation) is used routinely for procedures that do not require
complete anesthesia, but rather a depressed level of consciousness. Not all patients who are
treated on an outpatient basis receive moderate sedation. Regional anesthesia such as local
anesthesia provides loss of sensation in an area of the body. General anesthesia is used for
patients who need to be immobile and to not remember the surgical procedure.
DIF: Remember REF: 1273-1274
OBJ: Differentiate between classifications of surgery and types of anesthesia.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential [Show Less]