Free COST Preoperative & Postoperative Patient Care Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary preoperative responsibility of an ophthalmic surgical technologist?
- Scheduling follow-up appointments.
- Ensuring instruments are properly sterilized. (Correct answer)
- Informing patients about insurance policies.
- Adjusting medication doses without physician input.
Correct answer: Ensuring instruments are properly sterilized.
Ensuring proper sterilization of instruments reduces infection risk and prepares the surgical field.
Question 2: Why is pupil dilation important before ophthalmic surgery?
- To reduce intraocular pressure.
- To allow better visualization during surgery. (Correct answer)
- To eliminate corneal infections.
- To numb the eye for the procedure.
Correct answer: To allow better visualization during surgery.
Dilating the pupil allows better access and visualization of the intraocular structures during surgery.
Question 3: Which postoperative instruction is most critical for patients after cataract surgery?
- Avoid rubbing the eyes. (Correct answer)
- Increase physical activity immediately.
- Use contact lenses within 24 hours.
- Skip prescribed eye drops if vision is clear.
Correct answer: Avoid rubbing the eyes.
Patients should avoid rubbing their eyes to prevent complications such as increased intraocular pressure or dislocation of the intraocular lens.
Question 4: Which action helps reduce the risk of infection after ophthalmic surgery?
- Applying heat packs to the eye.
- Following strict hand hygiene protocols. (Correct answer)
- Using shared towels for eye cleaning.
- Skipping postoperative follow-up visits.
Correct answer: Following strict hand hygiene protocols.
Following proper hand hygiene minimizes the risk of postoperative infections and promotes healing.
Question 5: What is the primary reason for prescribing antibiotic eye drops after ophthalmic surgery?
- To reduce inflammation only.
- To prevent bacterial infections. (Correct answer)
- To improve tear production.
- To numb the eye for pain relief.
Correct answer: To prevent bacterial infections.
Antibiotic eye drops help prevent infections by eliminating bacteria that could enter the surgical site.
Question 6: Why should patients avoid strenuous activities immediately after eye surgery?
- To prevent intraocular pressure increase. (Correct answer)
- To reduce eye fatigue.
- To allow quicker resumption of daily activities.
- To improve circulation in the eye.
Correct answer: To prevent intraocular pressure increase.
Strenuous activities can increase intraocular pressure, which may lead to complications such as bleeding or lens displacement.
Free COST Preoperative & Postoperative Patient Care Questions and Answers
What is the primary preoperative responsibility of an ophthalmic surgical technologist?