Preoperative Nursing Care

The nurse has just reassessed the condition of a postoperative client who was admitted 1 hour ago to the surgical unit. The nurse plans to monitor which parameter most carefully during the next hour?

The nurse is teaching a client about coughing and deep-breathing techniques to prevent postoperative complications. Which statement is most appropriate for the nurse to make to the client at this time as it relates to these techniques?

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client scheduled for surgery. The nurse should include which activity in the nursing care plan for the client on the day of surgery?

A client with a gastric ulcer is scheduled for surgery. The client cannot sign the operative consent form because of sedation from opioid analgesics that have been administered. The nurse should take which most appropriate action in the care of this client?

A preoperative client expresses anxiety to the nurse about upcoming surgery. Which response by the nurse is most likely to stimulate further discussion between the client and the nurse?

The nurse is conducting preoperative teaching with a client about the use of an incentive spirometer. The nurse should include which piece of information in discussions with the client?

The nurse has conducted preoperative teaching for a client scheduled for surgery in 1 week. The client has a history of arthritis and has been taking acetylsalicylic acid. The nurse determines that the client needs additional teaching if the client makes which statement?

The nurse assesses a client’s surgical incision for signs of infection. Which finding by the nurse would be interpreted as a normal finding at the surgical site?

The nurse is monitoring the status of a postoperative client in the immediate postoperative period. The nurse would become most concerned with which sign that could indicate an evolving complication?

A client who has had abdominal surgery complains of feeling as though “something gave way” in the incisional site. The nurse removes the dressing and notes the presence of a loop of bowel protruding through the incision. Which interventions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.

1. Contact the surgeon.
2. Instruct the client to remain quiet.
3. Prepare the client for wound closure.
4. Document the findings and actions taken.
5. Place a sterile saline dressing and ice packs over the wound.
6. Place the client in a supine position without a pillow under the head.

A client who has undergone preadmission testing has had blood drawn for serum laboratory studies, including a complete blood count, coagulation studies, and electrolytes and creatinine levels. Which laboratory result should be reported to the surgeon’s office by the nurse, knowing that it could cause surgery to be postponed?

The nurse receives a telephone call from the post anesthesia care unit stating that a client is being transferred to the surgical unit. The nurse plans to take which action first on arrival of the client?

The nurse is reviewing a surgeon’s prescription sheet for a preoperative client that states that the client must be nothing by mouth (NPO) after midnight. The nurse should call the surgeon to clarify that which medication should be given to the client and not withheld?