QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS | ALREADY GRADED A+ | NURS 5355
LATEST VERSION 2024-2025 | BRAND NEW
EXAM
What is a single suture strand called? - ANSWER- Monofilament; is more resistant
to harboring microorganisms.
What are several filaments twisted or braided together called? - ANSWER-
Multifilament; They are less stiff and have greater tensile strength but fluid may be
absorbed along the filament to introduce pathogens. Infection risk!
What are the major patient-related risk factors for pulmonary complications after
surgery? - ANSWER- Age, COPD, ASA class II or greater, heart failure, ADL
deficit, low albumin
What are the major procedure-related risk factors for pulmonary complications
after surgery? - ANSWER- Emergency surgery, prolonged surgery (>3 hours),
AAA repair, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, abdominal, head/neck or vascular
surgery, and general anesthesia.
Is a routine chest X-ray needed pre-operatively? - ANSWER- No. Only
recommended for known cardiac or pulmonary disease in patients undergoing
thoracic, upper abdominal, or AAA surgery.
,Is the accurate estimation of GFR important pre-operatively? - ANSWER- Yes.
renal and glomerular blood flow and muscle mass decreases with age so serum
creatinine may appear normal even when kidney function is not. Calculate the
GFR.
What are the pre-op risk factors for delirium? - ANSWER- Age older than 65
Cognitive impairment
Limited physical function
History of alcohol abuse
Abnormal serum sodium, potassium, or glucose
Intrathoracic surgery or abdominal aneurysm surgery
What is the most important intra-operative risk factor for delirium? - ANSWER-
Blood loss.
How can patients avoid iatrogenic complications after surgery? - ANSWER- OOB,
avoid restraints, PT/OT, remove foley, stop IV fluids, lift restrictions on diet,
review medications daily.
How would postoperative hypertension be managed? - ANSWER- Look for non-
cardiac causes or urinary retention.
Assess vol. status, review fluid administration, and note if antihypertensives were
omitted
Consider parenteral antihypertensives while NPO
Topical nitroglycerin if the patient is unable to take oral meds.
How would postoperative SVT be managed? - ANSWER- Attempt to restore NSR-
adenosine, beta blocker, or calcium channel blocker. post-op SVT is more common
in patients who have had vascular, abdominal, or thoracic procedures.
, How would postoperative A-fib be managed? - ANSWER- Attempt to restore NSR
with cardioversion or amiodarone infusion. Spontaneous reversion to NSR often
occurs within 6 weeks after surgery. Persistent a-fib (beyond 24-48 hours) needs
anticoagulation to reduce the risk of stroke.
How would postoperative constipation be managed? - ANSWER- Order a laxative
and a stool softener when ordering a narcotic.
What are absorbable sutures? - ANSWER- Two types: Natural-surgical gut; plain
or surgical gut chronic (treated with chromium salt)
Synthetic polymers-Vicryl (braided suture) or monocyte (monofilament)
What are non-absorbable sutures? - ANSWER- Two types: Natural-Surgical silk
Synthetic-Nylon (Ethilon) or Polyprolene (Prolene)
How do you determine the diameter of a suture? - ANSWER- The smaller the
number, the larger the strand.
Ex: a 2-0 is larger than 5-0 suture.
What size suture would you use for the face? - ANSWER- 5-0 or 6-0
What size suture would you use for the scalp? - ANSWER- 4-0
What size suture would you use for the upper body? - ANSWER- 4-0
What size suture would you use for the hand? - ANSWER- 4-0 or 5-0