Perioperative Care Case Study Questions and Answers
After completing the admission interview, the nurse reviews Ms. Jackson's medical record and notes that the
surgical consent form is filled out but is not signed by the client.
What action should the nurse take?
A) Ask Ms. Jackson if she has received sufficient information to sign the consent form.
B) Call the operating room and notify the staff that the surgery needs to be cancelled.
C) Notify the surgeon of the need to come to the client's room so the consent can be signed.
D) Inform a family member of the need to serve as a witness to the client's signature. - ansA) Ask Ms. Jackson if
she has received sufficient information to sign the consent form.
The nurse may witness the client's signature if the nurse is able to determine that the client has been
sufficiently informed of the necessary information.
After Ms. Jackson ambulates with the physical therapist, the nurse prepares to change the surgical dressing.
While obtaining supplies, the nurse reviews the sterile procedure to be followed.
At what step in the procedure should the nurse don sterile gloves?
A) Prior to removing the dressing on the client's hip.
B) Before opening the new sterile dressing package.
C) Before cleansing the client's hip incision.
D) After cleansing the client's hip incision. - ansC) Before cleansing the client's hip incision.
When using surgical asepsis for wound care, the sterile gloves should be donned prior to cleaning the wound
and applying the new sterile dressing.
After Ms. Jackson stops crying, she states, "My father was in so much pain before he died. Talking about pain
brings back so many memories."
, How should the nurse respond?
A) "We do not need to talk about pain control today if it makes you sad."
B) "Perhaps you need to see a counselor to help you resolve your grief."
C) "It sounds as if you went through a difficult time when your father died."
D) "You need to focus on your own needs now and not on past memories." - ansC) "It sounds as if you went
through a difficult time when your father died."
This open-ended acknowledgment of the client's distress is therapeutic and allows the opportunity for further
discussion by the client if desired.
Based on the lab data provided by the nurse, the healthcare provider prescribes the transfusion of two units of
packed red blood cells as soon as possible. Once the first unit of packed red blood cells is ready, the nurse
obtains the blood from the blood bank. When the nurse enters Ms. Jackson's room to begin the transfusion,
the UAP is giving Ms. Jackson a partial bath.
What action should the nurse take?
A) Place the unit of blood in the medication refrigerator until the client's personal care is completed.
B) Hang the transfusion of packed cells while the UAP continues to complete the client's personal care.
C) Lock the unit of blood in the computerized medication cart and assist the UAP in completing the personal
care.
D) Return the blood to blood bank and send the UAP to obtain the blood when the personal care is completed.
- ansB) Hang the transfusion of packed cells while the UAP continues to complete the client's personal care.
Transfusion of the blood is a higher priority than personal care. If necessary, the remainder of the care can be
delayed.
During the postoperative assessment, the nurse observes Ms. Jackson's surgical site. The left hip dressing has a
moderate amount of sanguineous drainage.
What action should the nurse implement? (select all that apply)
After completing the admission interview, the nurse reviews Ms. Jackson's medical record and notes that the
surgical consent form is filled out but is not signed by the client.
What action should the nurse take?
A) Ask Ms. Jackson if she has received sufficient information to sign the consent form.
B) Call the operating room and notify the staff that the surgery needs to be cancelled.
C) Notify the surgeon of the need to come to the client's room so the consent can be signed.
D) Inform a family member of the need to serve as a witness to the client's signature. - ansA) Ask Ms. Jackson if
she has received sufficient information to sign the consent form.
The nurse may witness the client's signature if the nurse is able to determine that the client has been
sufficiently informed of the necessary information.
After Ms. Jackson ambulates with the physical therapist, the nurse prepares to change the surgical dressing.
While obtaining supplies, the nurse reviews the sterile procedure to be followed.
At what step in the procedure should the nurse don sterile gloves?
A) Prior to removing the dressing on the client's hip.
B) Before opening the new sterile dressing package.
C) Before cleansing the client's hip incision.
D) After cleansing the client's hip incision. - ansC) Before cleansing the client's hip incision.
When using surgical asepsis for wound care, the sterile gloves should be donned prior to cleaning the wound
and applying the new sterile dressing.
After Ms. Jackson stops crying, she states, "My father was in so much pain before he died. Talking about pain
brings back so many memories."
, How should the nurse respond?
A) "We do not need to talk about pain control today if it makes you sad."
B) "Perhaps you need to see a counselor to help you resolve your grief."
C) "It sounds as if you went through a difficult time when your father died."
D) "You need to focus on your own needs now and not on past memories." - ansC) "It sounds as if you went
through a difficult time when your father died."
This open-ended acknowledgment of the client's distress is therapeutic and allows the opportunity for further
discussion by the client if desired.
Based on the lab data provided by the nurse, the healthcare provider prescribes the transfusion of two units of
packed red blood cells as soon as possible. Once the first unit of packed red blood cells is ready, the nurse
obtains the blood from the blood bank. When the nurse enters Ms. Jackson's room to begin the transfusion,
the UAP is giving Ms. Jackson a partial bath.
What action should the nurse take?
A) Place the unit of blood in the medication refrigerator until the client's personal care is completed.
B) Hang the transfusion of packed cells while the UAP continues to complete the client's personal care.
C) Lock the unit of blood in the computerized medication cart and assist the UAP in completing the personal
care.
D) Return the blood to blood bank and send the UAP to obtain the blood when the personal care is completed.
- ansB) Hang the transfusion of packed cells while the UAP continues to complete the client's personal care.
Transfusion of the blood is a higher priority than personal care. If necessary, the remainder of the care can be
delayed.
During the postoperative assessment, the nurse observes Ms. Jackson's surgical site. The left hip dressing has a
moderate amount of sanguineous drainage.
What action should the nurse implement? (select all that apply)
