Intraoperative Care and Safety 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 Intraoperative Care and Safety flashcards as text
Which electrosurgical unit (ESU) setting requires the dispersive electrode to be placed as close as possible to the operative site?
Answer: Monopolar mode
In monopolar mode, current travels from the active electrode through the patient to the dispersive electrode, so placement near the operative site minimizes current path length and tissue damage.
During a laparoscopic procedure, the patient develops sudden onset of hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased oxygen saturation. The surgeon notices a frothy appearance in the suction tubing. What complication is most likely?
Answer: Venous gas embolism
Frothy blood in suction tubing combined with hemodynamic instability during insufflation is classic for venous gas embolism, where CO2 enters a venous vessel.
The scrub person notes that a sponge count is incorrect before closing a body cavity. What is the immediate first action?
Answer: Inform the surgeon immediately and search the wound
An incorrect count must be immediately communicated to the surgeon so the wound can be explored before closure to locate any retained item.
Which action best prevents surgical site infections related to instrument handling during a procedure?
Answer: Confining instruments to the sterile field until needed
Keeping instruments on the sterile field and passing them back promptly maintains aseptic technique and reduces contamination risk.
A patient with a pacemaker is about to undergo monopolar electrosurgery. What precaution is most important?
Answer: Place the dispersive electrode as far as possible from the pacemaker
Placing the dispersive electrode away from the pacemaker directs current away from the device and reduces the risk of pacemaker interference or damage.
When positioning a patient in the lateral decubitus position, which structure is most at risk for a pressure injury if not properly protected?
Answer: Fibular head and peroneal nerve
The fibular head is a bony prominence in lateral positioning that can compress the common peroneal nerve, leading to foot drop if not padded.
Which parameter should the perioperative nurse monitor to detect malignant hyperthermia early?
Answer: End-tidal CO2
A rapid rise in end-tidal CO2 is one of the earliest and most sensitive indicators of malignant hyperthermia due to hypermetabolism.