anesthesia
Name the reversal agent for the following medications
Fentanyl/morphine
Midazolam/Diazepam
Naloxone
Flumazenil
Which finding should the nurse report before a client goes to surgery?
A. Blood pressure 120/78 mmHg
B. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
C. Client reports eating breakfast despite being NPO
D. Client has removed jewelry
C — Eating while NPO can increase the risk of aspiration.
A client has just returned from surgery. Which assessment is the nurse's priority?
A. Pain level
B. Airway and breathing
C. Surgical dressing
D. Urine output
B — Airway and breathing come first (ABCs).
A client has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which finding would the nurse expect?
A. Excessive thirst
B. Confusion
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Muscle rigidity
✅ Answer: B. Confusion
Rationale: A low sodium level (hyponatremia) can cause headache, confusion, weakness, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness.
Which action is most important before a client goes to surgery?
A. Verify informed consent
B. Give the client a large meal
C. Encourage strenuous exercise
D. Remove the identification band
Answer: A. Verify informed consent
Rationale: The nurse should verify that the appropriate informed consent has been obtained before surgery. The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
A nurse is caring for a client who reports a headache following spinal anesthesia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Restrict the fluid intake
B. Adminster flumazenil
C. HOB flat
D. increase the light in the room
C.
The nurse should identify that the client a client who received spinal anesthesia is a risk for developing a headache. Therefore, the nurse should ensure that the client maintains a supine position and place the head of the client’s bed in a flat position. This action will relieve the client’s headache.
A client asks, “Why can't I eat before surgery?” What is the best response?
A. “It helps you sleep better.”
B. “It prevents nausea after surgery.”
C. “It reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia.”
D. “It prevents infection.”
C
A postoperative client has a respiratory rate of 8/min and is difficult to arouse. What should the nurse do first?
A. Give prescribed pain medication
B. Encourage the client to drink fluids
C. Assess the airway and breathing
D. Help the client ambulate
Answer: C. Assess the airway and breathing
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min with decreased consciousness suggests respiratory depression. The nurse must address airway and breathing before other needs.
Which ECG change may occur with hyperkalemia?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Flat T waves
C. ST elevation only
D. Shortened PR interval only
Answer: A. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked T waves and potentially serious cardiac dysrhythmias.
A postoperative client has bright-red blood rapidly saturating the surgical dressing. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ignore the finding
B. Assess vital signs and the client
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Give a laxative
B. Assess vital signs and the client
Rationale: Rapidly increasing bright-red drainage may indicate hemorrhage. The nurse should assess the client's circulation and vital signs immediately.
what medication is given for malignant hyperthermia
dantrolene
A client is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. Which action is the nurse's priority before surgery?
A. Give the client a full meal
B. Verify informed consent is signed
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Administer a laxative
BThe nurse should verify that informed consent is completed before surgery.
Which finding is most concerning in a client 2 hours after surgery?
A. Pain rated 6/10
B. Temperature of 99°F (37.2°C)
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Mild nausea
✅ Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate assessment and intervention. The other findings can be common after surgery.
A client has a calcium level of 7.2 mg/dL. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect?
A. Tingling around the mouth
B. Increased thirst only
C. Flushed skin
D. Decreased reflexes
Answer: A. Tingling around the mouth
Rationale: Hypocalcemia can cause numbness or tingling, muscle cramps, tetany, and positive Chvostek's or Trousseau's signs.
Which client is at greatest risk for hyponatremia?
A. Client with excessive vomiting
B. Client receiving excessive hypotonic fluids
C. Client eating a high-sodium diet
D. Client with mild dehydration
B. Client receiving excessive hypotonic fluids
Rationale: Excessive free water can dilute the sodium concentration and cause hyponatremia.
A nurse is planning care for a client who scheduled for therapeutic procedure with the use of general anesthesia and has a family history of malignant hyperthermia. Which of the following actions should the nurse be prepared to take?
Select all that apply.
A. administer oxygen
B. adminster succynlcholine
C. provide the client with warming blanket
D. Insert catheter
E. Administer dantrolene
A, E, D
The nurse should identify that the clients could be at risk for developing malignant hyperthermia because of their genetic history. Therefore, the nurse should be prepared to administer oxygen, administer IV dantrolene, and insert an indwelling urinary catheter into the client. Administering oxygen will prevent hypoxia. The nurse should plan to insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output and for the presence of myoglobinuria. The nurse should be prepared to administer dantrolene, if needed, to relax skeletal muscles.
A preoperative nurse is caring for the client who is having a colon resection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Select all that apply.
A. Encourage the client to void prior to receiving preoperative medications.
B.Administer antibiotics 2 hr prior to the surgical incision.
C.Use a disposable razor to shave hair over the surgical site
D. Remove nail polish on the client’s finger nails.
E. Instruct the client how to use an incentive spirometer
A, D, E
The nurse notices that a postoperative client's dressing is saturated with bright-red blood. What should the nurse do first?
A. Remove the dressing
B. Assess the client and vital signs
C. Document the finding and reassess later
D. Encourage the client to walk
Answer: B. Assess the client and vital signs
Rationale: Bright-red drainage can indicate active bleeding. The nurse should assess for signs of hemorrhage, including blood pressure, heart rate, level of consciousness, and amount of drainage.
A client has a magnesium level of 1.0 mg/dL. Which finding would the nurse expect?
A. Increased deep tendon reflexes
B. Decreased blood pressure only
C. Severe constipation
D. Slow respirations
Answer: A. Increased deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia can cause tremors, muscle spasms, hyperactive reflexes, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Which findings may occur with hyperkalemia? Select all that apply.
A. Muscle weakness
B. Peaked T waves
C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Cardiac arrest
E. Severe increased appetite
Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness and dangerous cardiac effects, including peaked T waves, dysrhythmias, and cardiac arrest.
A nurse is teaching a class about types of anesthesia. Match the type of anesthesia with the corresponding description.
Moderate sedation
Regional anesthesia
General anesthesia
produces a complete LOC
block sensation to a certain area
uses IV sedation to decrease LOC
The nurse should instruct that general anesthesia results in a complete loss of consciousness, reflexes, and sensation. Regional anesthesia results in a blockage of sensation to an area of the body. Moderate sensation uses IV medications to depress a client’s level of consciousness. The client is arousable to verbal stimulus and can support a patent airway without assistance.
A nurse is teaching the client who is preoperative for abdominal surgery. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
Select all that apply.
A.take aspirin with a sip of water the morning before your surgery
B. splint the abdomen when coughing and deep breathing after surgery
c. you will be placed on bed rest for the first 48 hours
d. you should perform calf pumping exercises after surgery
e. anti embolism stockings are applied before surgery
B, D, E
The nurse should instruct the client to splint the abdominal incision with a pillow to cough and deep breath after the surgery to provide support and reduce discomfort. The nurse should instruct the client to perform calf pumping exercises to promote venous return and anti-embolism stockings will be applied before the surgery to reduce the risk for a deep vein thrombosis.
Which intervention helps prevent postoperative atelectasis?
A. Limiting fluids
B. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing
C. Keeping the client flat in bed
D. Restricting movement
✅ Answer: B. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing
Rationale: Deep breathing, coughing, incentive spirometry, and early mobility help expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Sodium 134 mEq/L with mild headache
B. Calcium 8.0 mg/dL with mild tingling
C. Potassium 6.5 mEq/L with an abnormal ECG
D. Magnesium 1.6 mg/dL with mild fatigue
C. Potassium 6.5 mEq/L with an abnormal ECG
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. This client requires immediate attention.
A client develops muscle rigidity, rapidly increasing temperature, and tachycardia during surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Malignant hyperthermia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Fluid overload
B. Malignant hyperthermia
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a rare but life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents. Signs include rapidly increasing temperature, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and increased carbon dioxide.