Preop/Intraop
What document must the patient sign to indicate understanding and agreement to a surgical procedure?
What is informed Consent
What should the nurse assess to determine whether gastrointestinal function is returning?
What are bowel sounds, flatulence, and tolerance of oral intake?
What breathing device may be prescribed to encourage deep inhalation and help prevent atelectasis?
What is an incentive spirometer?
What is the primary purpose of the surgical time-out?
What is to verify the correct patient, procedure, and surgical site before beginning?
What is one major reason nurses encourage early ambulation after surgery?
Answers could include: preventing constipation, preventing DVT, preventing atelectasis
What are common local signs of a surgical-site infection?
What are increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or purulent drainage?
Who is responsible for explaining the surgical procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before obtaining informed consent?
Who is the surgeon or provider performing the procedure?
A patient's spouse says, “My partner is sleeping, so I'll press the PCA button to keep their pain under control.” How should the nurse respond?
What is explain that only the patient should activate the PCA button because someone else pressing it can cause dangerous opioid sedation and respiratory depression?
A patient develops unilateral calf swelling, warmth, and pain after surgery. What complication should the nurse suspect, and what should the nurse avoid?
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT); avoid massaging the affected leg
What assessment is especially important before administering an opioid or sedative?
What is respiratory status, including respiratory rate and oxygenation?
A patient has a Penrose drain following surgery. How does this drain differ from a JP drain?
What is that a Penrose drain is a passive drain that allows fluid to drain onto a dressing, whereas a JP drain uses a compressed bulb to provide suction?
A patient has abdominal distention, nausea, and absent bowel sounds following surgery. What complication may be developing?
What is postoperative ileus?
A patient under general anesthesia develops muscle rigidity, rapidly increasing end-tidal CO₂, and rising temperature. What life-threatening complication should the team suspect?
What is malignant hyperthermia?
A postoperative patient becomes pale and restless, with tachycardia and hypotension. What serious complication should the nurse suspect?
What is hemorrhage?
A patient develops sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and tachycardia after surgery. What life-threatening complication must the nurse consider?
What is pulmonary embolism?