Preoperative Patient Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CNOR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Preoperative Patient Assessment flashcards as text
A patient who is a Jehovah's Witness is scheduled for a procedure with anticipated blood loss. The preoperative nurse's priority is to:
Answer: Document the patient's wishes regarding blood transfusion and notify the surgical team
Respecting patient autonomy requires documenting refusal of blood products and communicating this to all team members to plan accordingly.
During preoperative assessment, the nurse identifies that the patient has an implanted cardiac pacemaker. The most critical action is to:
Answer: Notify the surgeon and determine if electrosurgery requires pacemaker management
Electrosurgical units can interfere with pacemaker function, requiring pre-planned management strategies before surgery begins.
A patient scheduled for outpatient surgery under general anesthesia has a BMI of 42. Which preoperative assessment is most critical?
Answer: Airway assessment and respiratory function
Morbid obesity significantly increases the risk of difficult intubation and respiratory complications requiring thorough airway and pulmonary assessment.
Which question is most important when assessing fall risk during the preoperative period?
Answer: Do you use any assistive devices for ambulation?
Use of assistive devices indicates impaired mobility and balance, which are key indicators of fall risk in the perioperative setting.
A patient reports a previous anesthetic complication where they experienced a very high fever and muscle rigidity during surgery. The nurse should prioritize communicating this history because it suggests:
Answer: Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening pharmacogenetic disorder triggered by certain anesthetic agents, requiring specific preparation and alternative agents.
When assessing a patient's social history preoperatively, which information is most relevant to postoperative planning and discharge safety?
Answer: Whether the patient has a responsible adult to accompany them home
Outpatient surgical patients must have a responsible adult to drive them home and monitor them, as anesthesia impairs judgment and reflexes.
A preoperative patient with known renal insufficiency is scheduled for a procedure requiring IV contrast. The perioperative nurse's priority action is to:
Answer: Notify the radiologist and surgeon of the renal insufficiency before contrast administration
Renal insufficiency is a major risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy and must be communicated to allow for preventive strategies or alternative imaging.