CFA CFA Postoperative Care & Complications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the classic symptom triad of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
- Fever, hypotension, bradycardia
- Dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis (Correct answer)
- Tachycardia, hypertension, cyanosis
- Confusion, fever, tachypnea
Correct answer: Dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis
The classic triad of PE is sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and hemoptysis, though all three are not always present simultaneously.
Question 2: What are the three components of Virchow's triad that predispose patients to DVT?
- Pain, swelling, redness
- Stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury (Correct answer)
- Fever, tachycardia, hypotension
- Hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis
Correct answer: Stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury
Virchow's triad identifies venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury as the three conditions that together promote deep vein thrombosis.
Question 3: What is the most effective DVT prophylaxis for postoperative patients?
- Hydration alone
- Sequential compression devices (SCDs) combined with early ambulation (Correct answer)
- Aspirin monotherapy
- Complete bed rest
Correct answer: Sequential compression devices (SCDs) combined with early ambulation
Sequential compression devices reduce venous stasis mechanically, and early ambulation promotes venous return, together providing the most effective non-pharmacologic DVT prevention.
Question 4: Which postoperative complication most commonly causes fever on days 1–2 after surgery?
- Pneumonia
- Atelectasis (Correct answer)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pleural effusion
Correct answer: Atelectasis
Atelectasis caused by shallow breathing and retained secretions is the most common cause of low-grade fever in the first 48 hours after surgery.
Question 5: In the 5 W's of postoperative fever, what does 'Water' refer to and when does it typically occur?
- Wound infection on day 1
- Urinary tract infection on days 3–5 (Correct answer)
- DVT on day 5
- Drug fever any time
Correct answer: Urinary tract infection on days 3–5
'Water' refers to a urinary tract infection, typically presenting on postoperative days 3–5, often associated with indwelling catheter use.
Question 6: What postoperative complication is most directly associated with prolonged indwelling urinary catheter use?
- Urinary retention
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) (Correct answer)
- Gross hematuria
- Bladder rupture
Correct answer: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
Prolonged Foley catheter use is the primary risk factor for CAUTI, one of the most common hospital-acquired infections.
CFA CFA Postoperative Care & Complications 2
What is the classic symptom triad of pulmonary embolism (PE)?