adult 1_ periop complications - Sheet1

Question 1

What is delayed emergence?

Answer 1

A prolonged recovery from anesthesia due to medications, metabolic disorders, or neurologic conditions.

Question 2

How is delayed emergence managed?

Answer 2

Identify causative factors, monitor closely, and ensure LOC returns to baseline.

Question 3

How can delayed emergence be prevented?

Answer 3

Identify at-risk patients (elderly, comorbidities) and adjust anesthesia accordingly.

Question 4

What is emergence delirium?

Answer 4

A temporary state of confusion, restlessness, or agitation when waking from anesthesia.

Question 5

How is emergence delirium managed?

Answer 5

Reorient the patient and identify the cause (pain, hypoxia, bladder distension, etc.).

Question 6

How can emergence delirium be prevented?

Answer 6

Monitor LOC at baseline and assess risk factors preoperatively.

Question 7

What multimodal approach is used for postoperative pain control?

Answer 7

Two or more medications with different mechanisms (e.g., NSAIDs + opioids).

Question 8

What are nonpharmacologic pain interventions?

Answer 8

Ice, heat, repositioning, relaxation techniques, and distraction.

Question 9

How is pain managed proactively postoperatively?

Answer 9

Administer pain medications before physical therapy, imaging, or procedures.

Question 10

Why is regular pain assessment important?

Answer 10

To identify pain early, especially in nonverbal patients.

Question 11

What are passive warming measures for hypothermia?

Answer 11

Warm blankets, socks, and limited skin exposure.

Question 12

What are active warming measures for hypothermia?

Answer 12

Warmed IV fluids, radiant warmers, and heated water mattresses.

Question 13

How can hypothermia be prevented postoperatively?

Answer 13

Regular temperature assessment and proactive warming measures.

Question 14

What technique prevents infection-related temperature changes?

Answer 14

Aseptic technique with wound care, IV lines, and catheters.

Question 15

What interventions treat hypoventilation?

Answer 15

Opioid/benzodiazepine reversal, mechanical ventilation, repositioning, O2 therapy.

Question 16

How is hypoventilation prevented?

Answer 16

Regular respiratory assessments and identifying at-risk patients.

Question 17

What are common signs of postoperative pneumonia?

Answer 17

Diminished breath sounds, crackles, and abnormal chest X-ray findings.

Question 18

How is pneumonia treated postoperatively?

Answer 18

Antibiotics, deep breathing, coughing, and preventing atelectasis.

Question 19

How can pneumonia be prevented?

Answer 19

Aseptic technique, incentive spirometry, early ambulation, and lung assessments.

Question 20

What is atelectasis?

Answer 20

Collapse of lung alveoli, leading to impaired gas exchange.

Question 21

How is atelectasis treated?

Answer 21

O2 therapy, deep breathing and coughing, repositioning, incentive spirometer, early ambulation.

Question 22

How can atelectasis be prevented?

Answer 22

Early ambulation, deep breathing exercises, incentive spirometer use, elevating the head of the bed.

Question 23

What is aspiration?

Answer 23

Inhalation of gastric contents into the lungs, leading to airway obstruction or pneumonia.

Question 24

How is aspiration treated?

Answer 24

Suctioning, placing the patient in left lateral lying position, deep breathing, and coughing.

Question 25

How can aspiration be prevented?

Answer 25

Elevate head of the bed, prevent/treat nausea/vomiting, monitor swallowing in high-risk patients.

Question 26

What is dehydration?

Answer 26

Insufficient fluid volume leading to electrolyte imbalance and hypovolemia.

Question 27

How is dehydration treated?

Answer 27

Oral or IV rehydration based on severity.

Question 28

How can dehydration be prevented?

Answer 28

Adequate hydration during and after surgery.

Question 29

What is fluid volume overload?

Answer 29

Excessive fluid accumulation leading to edema, hypertension, and respiratory distress.

Question 30

How is fluid volume overload treated?

Answer 30

Pause fluid intake, administer diuretics, assess for signs of fluid overload.

Question 31

How can fluid volume overload be prevented?

Answer 31

Monitor fluid balance, assess intake/output, and recognize early signs of overload.

Question 32

What is venous thromboembolism (VTE)?

Answer 32

A blood clot forming in the veins, potentially leading to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.

Question 33

How is VTE treated?

Answer 33

Administer anticoagulants, use sequential compression devices (SCDs), and provide TED hose.

Question 34

How can VTE be prevented?

Answer 34

Early ambulation, prophylactic medications, SCDs, and TED hose.

Question 35

What is postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)?

Answer 35

A common post-op complication due to anesthesia or opioid use.

Question 36

How is PONV treated?

Answer 36

Administer antiemetic medications, auscultate bowel sounds, and advance diet slowly.

Question 37

How can PONV be prevented?

Answer 37

Prophylactic antiemetics, gradual diet progression, and fluid management.

Question 38

What is postoperative ileus?

Answer 38

Temporary impairment of bowel motility after surgery.

Question 39

How is postoperative ileus treated?

Answer 39

NPO, NG tube for decompression, and early ambulation.

Question 40

How can postoperative ileus be prevented?

Answer 40

Early ambulation and slow advancement of diet.

Question 41

What is a gastrointestinal ulcer?

Answer 41

A stress-related mucosal injury postoperatively.

Question 42

How is a GI ulcer treated?

Answer 42

Notify the provider, regular GI assessment, and administer prophylactic medications.

Question 43

How can a GI ulcer be prevented?

Answer 43

Prophylactic GI medications (PPIs, H2 blockers), stress reduction, and early mobilization.

Question 44

What should be assessed with an indwelling urinary catheter?

Answer 44

Assessment of urinary retention, proper documentation, and regular catheter care per policy.

Question 45

How can complications from an indwelling urinary catheter be prevented?

Answer 45

Regular catheter care, aseptic insertion technique, and timely removal per hospital policy.

Question 46

What is urinary retention?

Answer 46

Inability to empty the bladder completely postoperatively.

Question 47

How is urinary retention treated?

Answer 47

Warm water on hands, running water, bladder scan, straight catheterization, or indwelling urinary catheter if necessary.

Question 48

How can urinary retention be prevented?

Answer 48

Early assessment of urinary function and encouraging natural voiding post-op.

Question 49

What is considered low urine output?

Answer 49

Urine output <0.5 mL/kg/hr or <30 mL/hr in adults.

Question 50

How is low urine output managed?

Answer 50

Assess urinary system, bladder scan, adequate hydration, early identification of the cause.

Question 51

How can low urine output be prevented?

Answer 51

Ensuring proper hydration before and after surgery, early detection of urinary retention.

Question 52

What is a surgical site infection (SSI)?

Answer 52

Infection at the surgical incision site, often caused by bacteria entering the wound.

Question 53

How is a surgical site infection treated?

Answer 53

Administer antibiotics, assess the incision site and drainage, maintain clean dressings.

Question 54

How can a surgical site infection be prevented?

Answer 54

Aseptic technique, proper wound care, maintaining clean/dry dressings, and timely antibiotic administration.

Question 55

What should be done in cases of postoperative bleeding?

Answer 55

Assess the surgical site, monitor vital signs, apply pressure if needed, notify the provider.

Question 56

How can postoperative bleeding be prevented?

Answer 56

Proper hemostasis during surgery, close monitoring of coagulation status, avoiding excessive movement of the surgical site.