Chapter 23: Perioperative Nursing
1. The nurse-anesthetist is monitoring his client during surgery. He notices a
ventricular dysrhythmia and unstable blood pressure. He notifies the
surgeon. The operative team suspects
a. Myocardial infarction
b. Malignant hyperthermia
c. Mitral valve prolapse
d. Major blood loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Feedback:
The symptoms of malignant hyperther mia are masseter muscle rigidit y,
ventricular dysrhythmia, tachypnea, cyanosis, skin mottling, and
unstable blood pressure.
2. Surgery can lead to hypothermia. Of the following clients, who is at
greatest risk for hypothermia?
a. A woman delivering by C -section
b. An adolescent for arthroscopic surgery
c. A young adult with a fractured leg
d. An elderl y man with a fractured hip
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
The risk of hypothermia increases in the very young and the very old.
,3. Which of the following statements, if made by an adolescent preparing for
abdominal surgery, would indicate to the nurse that the client requires
additional instruction?
a. I can have a hamburger and French fries as soon as I wake up.
b. The better I eat before surgery, the more likel y I will h eal.
c. I might be sick to my stomach and throw up after surgery.
d. When I can eat again, the best meal would be steak and orange
juice.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
Oral fluid and food may be withheld until intestinal motilit y resumes.
4. What is the rationale for the administration of IV cephalosporin antibiotic
before surgery?
a. To prevent the development of strep
b. To prevent the development of pneumonia
c. To allow for decreased level of white blood cells
d. To allow the client high levels of medication
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
A cephalosporin antibiotic is administered just before the surgical
procedure so that the level of medication circulating in the clients
blood will be high during surgery.
, 5. A client in the immediate postoperative period begins to complain of
nausea and ultimately begins vomiting. The nausea and vomiting is most
likel y related to
a. Movement of bowels during surgery
b. Inactivit y and emotional upset
c. The effects of anesthetic agents
d. Severe pain at the operative site
CORRECT ANSWE R: C
Feedback:
Nausea and vomiting can occur postoperativel y from the effects of
anesthetic agents.
6. When educating a client in the postoperative period, it is important to
educate the client to consume a diet high in
a. Protein
b. Calcium
c. Bicarbonate
d. Potassium
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
After surgery, a diet with sufficient amounts of protein and vitamins A
and C helps rebuild tissues and promotes wound healing.
7. Which of the following clients will see the greatest permanent changes in
lifest yle following surgery?
1. The nurse-anesthetist is monitoring his client during surgery. He notices a
ventricular dysrhythmia and unstable blood pressure. He notifies the
surgeon. The operative team suspects
a. Myocardial infarction
b. Malignant hyperthermia
c. Mitral valve prolapse
d. Major blood loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Feedback:
The symptoms of malignant hyperther mia are masseter muscle rigidit y,
ventricular dysrhythmia, tachypnea, cyanosis, skin mottling, and
unstable blood pressure.
2. Surgery can lead to hypothermia. Of the following clients, who is at
greatest risk for hypothermia?
a. A woman delivering by C -section
b. An adolescent for arthroscopic surgery
c. A young adult with a fractured leg
d. An elderl y man with a fractured hip
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
The risk of hypothermia increases in the very young and the very old.
,3. Which of the following statements, if made by an adolescent preparing for
abdominal surgery, would indicate to the nurse that the client requires
additional instruction?
a. I can have a hamburger and French fries as soon as I wake up.
b. The better I eat before surgery, the more likel y I will h eal.
c. I might be sick to my stomach and throw up after surgery.
d. When I can eat again, the best meal would be steak and orange
juice.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
Oral fluid and food may be withheld until intestinal motilit y resumes.
4. What is the rationale for the administration of IV cephalosporin antibiotic
before surgery?
a. To prevent the development of strep
b. To prevent the development of pneumonia
c. To allow for decreased level of white blood cells
d. To allow the client high levels of medication
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
A cephalosporin antibiotic is administered just before the surgical
procedure so that the level of medication circulating in the clients
blood will be high during surgery.
, 5. A client in the immediate postoperative period begins to complain of
nausea and ultimately begins vomiting. The nausea and vomiting is most
likel y related to
a. Movement of bowels during surgery
b. Inactivit y and emotional upset
c. The effects of anesthetic agents
d. Severe pain at the operative site
CORRECT ANSWE R: C
Feedback:
Nausea and vomiting can occur postoperativel y from the effects of
anesthetic agents.
6. When educating a client in the postoperative period, it is important to
educate the client to consume a diet high in
a. Protein
b. Calcium
c. Bicarbonate
d. Potassium
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
After surgery, a diet with sufficient amounts of protein and vitamins A
and C helps rebuild tissues and promotes wound healing.
7. Which of the following clients will see the greatest permanent changes in
lifest yle following surgery?
