What is the process for consenting to surgery by an emancipated minor? - Answers An emancipated
minor is one who is younger than the legal age of consent but is recognized as having the legal capacity
to provide consent. Procedures for obtaining consent vary among states and agencies. Follow your
state's nurse practice act and agency policies that apply to a specific situation.
Where are the incisions with a laparoscopic cholecystectomy? - Answers - surgery will involve multiple
small incisions
- A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgery during which the doctor removes your gallbladder. This
procedure uses several small cuts instead of one large one. A laparoscope, a narrow tube with a camera,
is inserted through one incision. This allows your doctor to see your gallbladder on a screen.
Which diagnostic studies may be done to reveal kidney disease? - Answers Assess for a history of renal
or urinary tract diseases, such as chronic kidney disease or repeated urinary tract infections. Record the
present disease state and current treatment.
What should the nurse do when it is discovered that s/he has seasonal and food allergies? - Answers
Record all drug intolerances and allergies and, if needed, place an allergy identification band on the
patient on the day of surgery.
If a preoperative patient reports being highly anxious about the upcoming surgery, what is the best way
to promote a good surgical outcome - Answers You can decrease some anxiety for the patient by giving
information about what to expect. This is often done through classes or Web-based or audiovisual
teaching materials before surgery. Inform the surgeon if the patient needs more information or has
excessive anxiety.
Effect of ginko before surgery - Answers Avoid garlic, vitamin E, ginkgo, and fish oils because they can
increase bleeding.
What will happen if the patient ingests a lot of liquids just before surgery? - Answers Restricting fluids
and food is designed to reduce the risk for pulmonary aspiration and nausea and vomiting
Pre-op considerations for older adults? - Answers - requires careful evaluation
- primary HCP is usually not the surgeon
- there are often several HCP involved in care
- be aware of anxieties and fears
- Assess and record baseline sensory and cognitive function
, - may need more time to complete preoperative testing and understand preoperative instructions.
These changes also require you to pay more attention to promote patient safety and prevent injury.
- When older adults live in a long-term care or assisted living facility, you may need to coordinate
transportation from these facilities so that timely arrival allows for surgery preparation.
- A legal representative of the patient must be present to provide consent for surgery if the patient
cannot sign for himself or herself.
- Finally, determine the presence of or need for caregiver support for the older adult undergoing surgery
Why might extra time be needed for the prep care of an older adult? - Answers In planning care,
consider the patient's physiologic status, not only the chronologic age. The surgical risk in the older adult
relates to normal physiologic aging and changes that compromise organ function, reduce reserve
capacity, and limit the body's ability to adapt to stress. This decreased ability to cope with stress, often
compounded by the burden of one or more chronic illnesses, and the surgery itself increase the risk for
complications.
What pre-op labs should cause concern? - Answers Ensure that all laboratory and diagnostic reports are
in the patient's chart. Missing reports may result in a delay or cancellation of the surgery.
Why are pre-op checklists used the day of surgery? - Answers • Use a preoperative checklist (Table 17.9)
to make sure you have completed all required preparations.
• This is especially important to do before the patient receives any sedating drugs.
Questions to ask related to risk for an allergic response? - Answers Ask about nondrug allergies,
specifically food and environmental (e.g., latex, pollen, animals) allergies. The patient with a history of
any allergic reactions has a greater potential for hypersensitivity reactions to drugs given during
anesthesia.
What should be done if the patient does not really understand what the surgeon plans to do? - Answers
If the patient is unclear about the surgical plans, contact the surgeon about the patient's need for more
information.
What does the nurse's signature on a consent form mean? - Answers You may be asked to witness the
patient's signature on the consent form. At this time, you must be a patient advocate, verifying that the
patient understands the information in the consent and the implications of consent, and that consent
for surgery is truly voluntary.
Best way to deal with post-op pain? - Answers Taking pain measurement from patient.
A risk for compromised respiratory function would be seen in a patient with which problems? - Answers
Patients at high risk include those who (1) have had general anesthesia; (2) are older than 55 years of
age; (3) have a history of tobacco use; (4) have preexisting lung disease and/or sleep-disordered