12 Questions
What is the nurse's FIRST response when a patient scheduled for general anesthesia has a serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L?
Notify the anesthesiologist
What is the most important nursing intervention in preventing postoperative complications?
Early ambulation
What should the nurse assess FIRST when a patient arrives in the PACU after surgery?
Airway patency
What is a possible indication of delirium in an older client?
All of the above
Why is it essential to check a patient's airway patency in the PACU?
To maintain a patent airway
What is a potential consequence of hyperkalemia?
Cardiac arrhythmias
What is a common sign of delirium?
Easily distracted by unimportant things
What would the nurse expect to find when assessing a client with a history of peripheral arterial disease?
All of the above
What is an early indicator of hypoxemia in a client recovering from anesthesia?
Restlessness
What information is most important for the nurse to communicate to the anesthesiologist and surgeon before surgery?
The patient's report that her last menstrual period was 8 weeks ago
What does the Mini-Mental State Examination assess?
Orientation, memory, and cognitive function
What is a characteristic of a client with delirium?
Rambling speech
Study Notes
Signs of Delirium
- Sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes
- Rambling speech
- Sleep disturbances
- Combative behavior
- Easily distracted by things
Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Narrowing or blockage of vessels that bring blood from the heart to the extremities
- Causes pain in the calves when walking due to blockage
- Leads to poor circulation, making it difficult for wounds to heal
- Causes cool skin over the feet
Hypoxemia
- Early signs include anxiety, confusion, and restlessness
- Restlessness is an early indicator of hypoxemia
Preoperative Assessment
- Most important information to communicate to the anesthesiologist and surgeon is the patient's report of their last menstrual period
- This is crucial because the patient could be pregnant
Mini-Mental State Examination
- Assesses orientation, memory, and cognitive function
- Includes a set of 11 questions to check for cognitive impairment
Hyperkalemia
- Serum potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L (5.8 mmol/L) can cause deadly arrhythmias
- Requires notification of the anesthesiologist before surgery
Preventing Postoperative Complications
- Early ambulation is the most important nursing intervention to prevent complications
- Complications include pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and other disorders of immobility
Respiratory Assessment
- Airway patency should be checked first in the PACU after surgery
- It is essential to ensure the patient's airway is patent, especially after anesthesia
Test your knowledge of nursing interventions and procedures for patients receiving general anesthesia, including handling hyperkalemia and preoperative care. Learn about the importance of notifying the anesthesiologist and other critical steps in patient care.
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