FREE DANB Providing Pre- and Post-operative Patient Instructions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient scheduled for a procedure with IV sedation should be given which pre-operative dietary instruction?

Accepted Answer

Have nothing by mouth (NPO) for at least 8 hours prior.

Answer

Eat a light breakfast to avoid nausea.

Answer

Drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before the appointment.

Answer

Take all morning medications with a full glass of water.

Question 2

If minor bleeding from an extraction site continues at home, the patient should be instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Place a fresh, moist gauze pad and bite with firm pressure.

Answer

Vigorously rinse with warm salt water.

Answer

Lie down flat without elevating their head.

Answer

Apply a heating pad to the outside of the jaw.

Question 3

To best manage post-operative swelling during the first 24 hours, patients should be advised to:

Accepted Answer

Use an ice pack, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

Answer

Apply a warm, moist compress to the area.

Answer

Avoid all fluids for the first 12 hours.

Answer

Gently massage the swollen area.

Question 4

Which of the following is an appropriate dietary recommendation for a patient on the day of a surgical extraction?

Accepted Answer

Yogurt, pudding, and lukewarm soup

Answer

Hot soup and coffee

Answer

Steak and a baked potato

Answer

A salad with crunchy vegetables

Question 5

Post-operative instructions should include advising the patient to avoid which activity for the first 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting

Answer

Watching television

Answer

Reading a book

Answer

Taking a shower

Question 6

What instructions should be given to a patient regarding oral hygiene after an extraction?

Accepted Answer

Begin gentle, warm salt water rinses 24 hours after the surgery.

Answer

Brush the surgical site vigorously to keep it clean.

Answer

Avoid brushing and flossing the entire mouth for 3 days.

Answer

Use an alcohol-based mouthwash immediately to disinfect the area.

Question 7

Patients should be explicitly warned that which of the following actions can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a dry socket?

Accepted Answer

Drinking through a straw and smoking

Answer

Taking prescribed pain medication

Answer

Gently talking to family members

Answer

Drinking plenty of water (without a straw)