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Postoperative and Emergency Care Flashcards

7 cards from real CSFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Postoperative and Emergency Care flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following is the correct rate for adult chest compressions during CPR according to the AHA guidelines?

    Answer: 100-120 compressions per minute

    AHA guidelines recommend high-quality CPR at a rate of 100-120 chest compressions per minute for adults to maintain adequate cardiac output.

  2. A postoperative patient develops sudden-onset confusion, contralateral facial droop, and arm weakness. The surgical first assistant suspects a stroke. What is the priority action?

    Answer: Activate the stroke protocol and note the exact time of symptom onset

    Activating the stroke team and recording exact symptom onset time are critical because eligibility for reperfusion therapy depends on the time window.

  3. Which type of shock is characterized by warm, flushed skin, bounding pulses, and low systemic vascular resistance in the early phase?

    Answer: Distributive (septic) shock

    Early distributive shock (septic) presents with vasodilation, causing warm flushed skin and bounding pulses due to decreased systemic vascular resistance.

  4. When assessing a postoperative surgical wound, which finding is most indicative of developing infection?

    Answer: Increasing erythema, warmth, and purulent drainage on day 4

    Progressive erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge after postoperative day 3-4 are classic signs of surgical site infection (SSI).

  5. In the immediate postoperative period, which assessment finding would MOST concern the surgical first assistant monitoring a patient after thyroidectomy?

    Answer: Hoarseness and stridor with perioral tingling

    Stridor with hoarseness and perioral tingling after thyroidectomy suggests hypocalcemia from parathyroid injury plus potential airway compromise from hematoma or nerve damage.

  6. A patient begins seizing in the PACU after intracranial surgery. What is the FIRST action the surgical first assistant should take?

    Answer: Protect the airway, turn the patient to the lateral position, and call for help

    Airway protection in the lateral recovery position and immediately calling for assistance are the first priorities during a postoperative seizure.

  7. Which of the following accurately describes the purpose of a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain in postoperative care?

    Answer: To evacuate fluid and blood from a surgical site using closed suction

    A Jackson-Pratt drain uses a compressible bulb to create negative pressure, removing accumulated blood and serosanguineous fluid to prevent hematoma and seroma formation.