Perioperative Patient Assessment Flashcards

A patient with a known latex allergy should be scheduled as which type of surgical case?

Answer: First case of the morning before latex particulates accumulate in the air

Latex-allergic patients should be scheduled as the first case of the day when airborne latex particle levels are lowest.

When reviewing a patient's medication list preoperatively, which class of medications requires the MOST immediate concern regarding intraoperative bleeding risk?

Answer: Antiplatelet agents such as clopidogrel

Antiplatelet agents like clopidogrel inhibit platelet aggregation and significantly increase intraoperative bleeding risk; cessation timing must be confirmed with the surgeon.

An ASA Class III patient is best described as having which condition?

Answer: A patient with severe systemic disease causing substantive functional limitations

ASA Class III describes a patient with severe systemic disease that causes substantive functional limitations but is not incapacitating.

Which preoperative finding most strongly warrants postponement of elective surgery?

Answer: Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L

A serum potassium below 3.0 mEq/L (hypokalemia) increases risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia and warrants correction before elective surgery.

When performing a preoperative skin assessment, which finding is most important to document and report?

Answer: Active skin breakdown or wound over the surgical site

Active skin breakdown or open wound over the planned surgical site is a contraindication to elective surgery and must be reported to prevent infection.

A patient reports a prior reaction to a 'caine' medication at the dentist. The CRNFA should prioritize communicating which concern to the anesthesia team?

Answer: Possible allergy to amide or ester local anesthetics

A prior reaction to local anesthetics used in dentistry may indicate allergy to amide or ester class agents, which must be clarified before administering local or regional anesthesia.