Managing Adverse Events Flashcards

A 65-year-old patient is in the recovery area 30 minutes after a colonoscopy with a difficult polypectomy. The patient complains of severe, worsening abdominal pain and the nurse notes a rigid, board-like abdomen and tachycardia. What is the most likely complication the nurse should suspect?

Answer: Perforation

The combination of severe, worsening abdominal pain, a rigid or board-like abdomen, and systemic signs like tachycardia are classic indicators of a bowel perforation. This constitutes a medical emergency as leakage of bowel contents into the abdominal cavity causes peritonitis. Post-polypectomy bleeding typically presents with hematochezia or signs of hypovolemia without the pronounced abdominal rigidity. A vasovagal response involves bradycardia and hypotension. Oversedation would present with respiratory depression.

A patient calls the gastroenterology unit three days after a colonoscopy with snare polypectomy, reporting several episodes of bright red blood per rectum. The CGRN understands this is most likely which type of adverse event?

Answer: Delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage

Delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage can occur from hours to several weeks (up to 30 days) after the procedure, typically when the eschar over the polypectomy site sloughs off. The presentation of hematochezia days after the procedure is characteristic of this complication. Infection, diverticulitis, and IBS are less likely to present in this specific manner directly related to the procedure timing.

During a flexible sigmoidoscopy on an unsedated patient, the patient suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic, and complains of nausea. The monitor shows a heart rate of 45 bpm and a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Answer: Place the patient in a Trendelenburg or supine position with legs elevated

The patient is exhibiting classic signs of a vasovagal response (bradycardia, hypotension, pallor, diaphoresis). The immediate priority is to increase cerebral perfusion and venous return to the heart. Placing the patient in a Trendelenburg or supine position with legs elevated is the fastest, non-pharmacological first-line intervention. While atropine and IV fluids may be necessary if the condition persists, they are subsequent steps after initial positioning.

Which of the following patients is at the highest risk for aspiration during an EGD?

Answer: A 60-year-old with achalasia and retained food in the esophagus.

Achalasia is a motor disorder of the esophagus where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax, leading to ineffective peristalsis and significant retention of food and liquid. This creates a large reservoir of material in the esophagus that can be easily regurgitated and aspirated during the procedure, even if the patient has followed fasting guidelines. While GERD is a risk factor, the retained volume in achalasia presents a much higher and more immediate risk.

A patient is in the recovery unit 4 hours after an ERCP with sphincterotomy. Which assessment finding would be most concerning for the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis?

Answer: New onset of severe, boring epigastric pain radiating to the back.

The cardinal symptom of acute pancreatitis, the most common serious complication of ERCP, is severe, constant, "boring" epigastric pain that often radiates to the back. While nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and mild cramping can occur after endoscopy, the specific character, location, and radiation of this pain are highly indicative of pancreatitis and require immediate investigation.

During an advanced endoscopic procedure, the use of gas insufflation carries a rare but life-threatening risk of venous air embolism. Which of the following is a classic sign of this complication?

Answer: A "mill wheel" murmur heard on cardiac auscultation

A venous air embolism occurs when gas enters the venous system and travels to the right side of the heart, creating an airlock that obstructs outflow. The churning of blood and air in the right ventricle produces a characteristic splashing or "mill wheel" murmur. Other critical signs include a sudden drop in blood pressure and a precipitous decrease (not increase) in end-tidal CO2.