Chapter 36: Preoperative and Postoperative Care

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. When planning care for a surgical patient, the nurse recognizes that surgical site infections account for what percentage of hospital-acquired infection? a. 22% to 40% b. 5% to 10% c. 45% to 70% d. 75% to 100% ANS: A The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that surgical site infections (SSIs) account for up to 16% of hospital-acquired infections. Current research indicates that 38% of hospital-acquired infections are surgical site infections. DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text reference: p. 881 OBJ: Explain the rationale for preoperative procedures. TOP: Hospital-Acquired Infections KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 2. The goal of prophylactic antibiotic therapy is to protect the patient fro s possible. To achieve this goal, the nurse recognizes that antibiotics shou S l tudents Chat Room 1 w 3 ill c. Increases risk for infection in diabetic and nondiabetic patients Students Chat Room 13 be most beneficial. When would that be? a. Twenty-four hours before surgery b. For 2 weeks after surgery c. For no longer than 24 hours after surgery d. When signs of infection first appear ANS: C Overall, it is recommended that prophylactic antibiotics be given as close to the time of incision as possible (within 30 to 60 minutes) and not be given for longer than 24 hours postoperatively. However, vancomycin and fluoroquinolones may be given up to 2 hours before incision because of their longer infusion times. The goal of prophylactic antibiotic therapy is to protect the patient from infection with as little risk as possible. To achieve this goal, antibiotics must be administered when they will be most beneficial.