Perioperative Flashcards

A patient is receiving epidural analgesia postoperatively. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

Answer: Blood pressure 90/58 mmHg

Hypotension (BP 90/58) is a serious complication of epidural analgesia due to sympathetic blockade and requires immediate intervention.

During the immediate postoperative period, a patient begins shivering uncontrollably. What is the priority nursing action?

Answer: Apply warm blankets and active warming measures

Postoperative shivering is commonly caused by hypothermia from operating room exposure; applying warm blankets is the priority intervention.

A patient is 6 hours post-abdominal surgery and has not voided. Which assessment is most important before intervening?

Answer: Bladder scan for urinary retention

A bladder scan should be performed first to determine if urinary retention is present before any urinary intervention is initiated.

Which laboratory value is most critical to assess before a patient is taken to the operating room for an elective procedure?

Answer: Serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L

Hypokalemia (K+ 2.9 mEq/L) increases the risk of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia and must be corrected preoperatively.

A patient scheduled for surgery reports taking aspirin daily for cardiac prophylaxis. The nurse's most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Document and notify the anesthesiologist and surgeon

Aspirin's antiplatelet effects increase bleeding risk; the surgical and anesthesia teams must be notified to determine if surgery should be delayed.

Which positioning complication is a patient undergoing a lengthy procedure in the lithotomy position most at risk for?

Answer: Compartment syndrome of the lower extremities

Extended lithotomy positioning compresses lower extremity compartments, increasing risk of compartment syndrome due to elevated pressure and reduced perfusion.

A circulating nurse notices that the sterile field has been contaminated during surgery. The appropriate response is to:

Answer: Immediately notify the scrub tech and surgeon and replace contaminated items

Any breach of the sterile field must be reported immediately and contaminated items replaced to prevent surgical site infection.