FREE CMSRN Perioperative Questions and Answers
In the operating room (OR), the circulating nurse sets up the sterile field. After fifteen minutes, the nurse gets word that the surgeon is working at another hospital, thus the procedure will be delayed by twenty minutes. What would be the best course of action for the nurse?
While waiting for the surgeon, the nurse should keep an eye on the sterile field. The potential for contamination during the drape removal process is the reason the nurse shouldn't cover the sterile field. To keep an eye on the sterile field, a staff person needs to stay in the operating room at all times. The sterile field does not need to be destroyed because there will be little delay.
What is a potential postoperative concern regarding a patient who has already resumed a solid diet?
After a patient resumes solid food, they should have a bowel movement within 48 hours. The patient may be experiencing constipation and appropriate interventions must be followed.
The patient being cared for by the nurse is experiencing sinus tachycardia following surgery. Which intervention from the list below ought to be carried out by the nurse?
"Sinus tachycardia is a common dysrhythmia that frequently requires treatment of the underlying etiology. Atropine is a medication that is frequently used to treat sinus bradycardia, which is a condition brought on by worry. For sinus tachycardia, one would not use heated blankets and place a patient in the left lateral position."
Following surgery, your patient's vital signs are within normal ranges and they are semicomatose. Which position would be ideal for this patient, as the nurse?
A semicomatose patient is susceptible to aspiration (from fluids collecting in the mouth or from vomiting, which is a typical sedation-related side effect). Repositioning the patient on their side, ideally the left, will aid in improving cardiovascular circulation and reducing the chance of aspiration.
A disparity in the number of sponges is discovered by the scrub tech and the circulating nurse. Which task ought to be completed by the circulating nurse first?
Sponge recounts are used to find inaccuracies, which are frequently caused by inaccurate counts or lost sponges. If there are any differences, a straightforward recount generally clears the air and notifies the surgeon of any inaccuracies. If an error is verified, an occurrence report must be filed. The next step is to get in touch with the surgical management if accurate counts aren't kept up to date.
The patient, who underwent surgery 24 hours ago, is being observed by the nurse. Which finding calls for action?
The nurse must keep a careful eye on the patient's urine production. At least 30 milliliters per hour of urine should be produced in a 24-hour period. The patient in this instance is only urinating 12.5 ml per hour.
A nurse is creating a post-operative care plan for a patient who is susceptible to pneumonia. Out of the following, which one is not a suitable nursing intervention?
Apart from repositioning every three to four hours, all options are correct. The patient has to be adjusted at least once per hour or two if they are not able to move or ambulate.
In the early postoperative phase, a client feels confused. Which of the following evaluations is necessary to identify the confusion's cause?
Before assuming that a client's perplexity is due to hypoxemia, the nurse must rule that out. A patient with a compromised airway might be confused as a result of hypoxemia. While vital assessments in the postoperative phase include cardiac rhythm, degree of awareness, and anxiety, these are rarely the first things to look at when a client presents confused.
Which test result would necessitate the nurse's quick attention for the patient who was supposed to have surgery?
Since potassium is necessary for the proper operation of all muscles, including the heart muscle, this low potassium level should be reported to the healthcare provider.
When a client needs fluids, the nurse gets ready to place a peripheral intravascular catheter. Which antiseptic is best for cleaning the skin before the catheter is inserted?
The ideal antiseptic is chlorhexadine due to its broad spectrum properties. Skin bacteria are instantly killed by chlorhexadine, and it has residual effect that lasts for a few hours after application. Unlike iodophor, it is not affected by contact with organic substances. Acetone and alcohol cause the skin to become dry.
You are watching your patient using the spirometry incentive. What kind of patient demonstration demonstrates to you that the patient knows how to operate the device correctly?
With one exception—"The patient inhales slowly on the device and maintains the flow indicator between 600 and 900 level"—all of the options are incorrect. The other choices don't show you how to operate the incentive spirometry correctly.