Surg Tech 102--Chapter 13

Question 1

When are patients admitted to the PACU?

Answer 1

Immediately after surgery

Question 2

Once all monitoring devices are in place and the patient is stable, the circulating nurse performs a _____ to the PACU nurse.

Answer 2

handover (also called a hand-off)

Question 3

The circulating nurse provides _____ to update the PACU nurse on the patient’s _____ before and during surgery.

Answer 3

all information needed

physiological status

Question 4

True or False: The circulating nurse and ACP remain with the patient until the handover is complete.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

The following information is provided during the handover:

Answer 5

• A brief patient history
• The exact surgery performed (including side and site)
• Total length of time anesthesia was delivered and the drugs given (amounts and routes are also given)
• Estimated blood loss and the amount and type of IV fluids or blood administered. (Type and amount of blood is reported)
• Condition of the wound, drain, and other devices
• ASA score
• Any surgical or medical complications that occurred during surgery
• Information about family members who may be waiting

Question 6

After accepting the handover, the PACU nurse performs a _____.

Answer 6

patient assessment

Question 7

The PACU nurse’s assessment can be either a _____ or a _____.

Answer 7

focused assessment

head to toe assessment

Question 8

Focuses on specific criteria, such as respiration, circulation, pain, and level of consiousness

Answer 8

focused assessment

Question 9

The assessment that covers all or most body systems.

Answer 9

head to toe assessment

Question 10

The airway is assessed by _____.

Answer 10

auscultation

Question 11

When checking the respiratory system, the respiratory _____ and _____ are measured

Answer 11

rate and rhythm

Question 12

What is perfusion?

Answer 12

The flow of blood to tissue

Question 13

How is perfusion measured?

Answer 13

pulse oximeter

Question 14

The color of the patient’s skin is checked for _____.

Answer 14

hypoxia

Question 15

What is hypoxia?

Answer 15

inadequate oxygen to tissues

Question 16

The heart is monitored for rate and rhythm using _____.

Answer 16

ECG and cardiac monitor

Question 17

What are arterial blood gases (ABG)?

Answer 17

The ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide and the blood pH

Question 18

What is a serious post-op complication?

Answer 18

hypothermia

Question 19

The abdomen is assessed for _____.

Answer 19

distention

Question 20

How is the abdomen assessed for distention?

Answer 20

observation, palpation, and radiographs

Question 21

Bowel sounds are assessed by _____.

Answer 21

auscultation

Question 22

A persistent lack of bowel sounds may indicate surgical _____.

Answer 22

paralytic ileus

Question 23

What is surgical paralytic ileus?

Answer 23

Cessation of peristalsis in the bowel leading to obstruction

Question 24

The patients level of consciousness is assessed using the _____.

Answer 24

Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC)

Question 25

What are the three categories of the GSC?

Answer 25

- Eye opening - Best verbal response - Best motor response

Question 26

What are the most frequent life-threatening postoperative complications?

Answer 26

respiratory problems

Question 27

Can be related to the effects of anesthetic drugs, muscle relaxants, or fluid-electrolyte imbalance.

Answer 27

Inadequate ventilation

Question 28

Inadequate intake of air and oxygen results in the accumulation of _____ in the blood.

Answer 28

carbon dioxide

Question 29

Pain at the operative site is another cause of _____, resulting in low oxygen saturation.

Answer 29

hypoventilation

Question 30

Most often caused by anatomical structures or by aspiration of fluids.

Answer 30

airway obstruction

Question 31

Contraction of the laryngeal muscles

Answer 31

laryngospasm

Question 32

This can occur whenever the larynx is irritated or stimulated by secretions, intubation, extubation, or suctioning.

Answer 32

laryngospasm

Question 33

Partial or complete closure of the bronchial tubes.

Answer 33

bronchospasm

Question 34

Can be triggered by airway suctioning, aspiration of fluid, or allergy.

Answer 34

bronchspasm

Question 35

Inhalation of secretions or stomach contents.

Answer 35

aspiration

Question 36

Associated with a weak gag reflex related to the use of narcotics, sedatives, and anesthetic agents.

Answer 36

aspiration

Question 37

The collapse of the lung.

Answer 37

atelectasis

Question 38

Who are particularly vulnerable to atelectasis?

Answer 38

smokers

Question 39

The blockage of a pulmonary vessel by air, a blood clot, or other substance.

Answer 39

pulmonary embolism

Question 40

A pulmonary embolism can result in _____.

Answer 40

anoxia

Question 41

What is anoxia?

Answer 41

decreased oxygen to the lung tissue

Question 42

The risk of pulmonary embolism is increased in patients with a history of _____.

Answer 42

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 43

_____ can occur as a result of fluid or electrolyte imbalance.

Answer 43

hypotension or hypertension

Question 44

A persistently low core body temperature (less than 98.6).

Answer 44

hypothermia

Question 45

Who are most vulnerable for hypothermia?

Answer 45

elderly, pediatric, and frail patients

Question 46

Can result in a longer post-op recovery period, surgical wound infection, cardiac ischemia, and reduced ability to metabolize drugs.

Answer 46

hypothermia

Question 47

A rare condition that results in an extremely high core body temperature, cardiac dysrhythmia, tachypnea, hypoxia, and hypercarbia.

Answer 47

malignant hyperthermia (MH)

Question 48

Potentially fatal and occurs most commonly at the time of administration of anesthesia.

Answer 48

malignant hyperthermia (MH)

Question 49

Can be triggered by inhalation anesthetic and succinylcholine.

Answer 49

malignant hyperthermia (MH)

Question 50

What is administered as soon as malignant hyperthermia (MH) is diagnosed?

Answer 50

dantrolene sodium

Question 51

Physiological, psychological, and social conditions that serve as a measure of the patient's readiness for discharge.

Answer 51

discharge criteria

Question 52

A scale that is often used to determine whether a patient is ready for discharge.

Answer 52

Aldrete scale

Question 53

What does the Aldrete scale evaluate?

Answer 53

activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation

Question 54

Patient teaching is the responsibility of _____.

Answer 54

trained nursing personnel

Question 55

When was the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) organized?

Answer 55

1980

Question 56

Established standards of practice for the post-op care of diverse populations, such as pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

Answer 56

American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)

Question 57

What are the 4 areas ASPAN identified as specific phases of care?

Answer 57

- Preanesthesia phase - Postanesthesia phase I - Postanesthesia phase II - Remote postanesthesia phase III