Post-operative Nursing Care

What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient during the immediate post operative period?

• Observing for haemorrhage

•   Maintaining a patent airway

•   Recording the intake and output

•   Checking the vital signs every 15 minutes

Constant surveillance and meticulous aseptic technique are required to reduce the risk of contamination.

• True

• False

The immediate postoperative goal is to maintain ventilation and avoid hypoxia and hypercapnia.

• True

• False

The PACU nurse reviews vital information with the anesthesiologist and the circulating nurse.

• True

• False

Complications of the lungs are the most common postoperative problem.

• True

• False

In the PACU, 10% of patients vomit. The nurse should not intervene until the patient vomits.

• True

• False

Healthcare workers encourage patients to cough and deep breath to prevent against_________.

Postoperatively, a client is ordered to do coughing and deep-breathing exercises. What will you do when the client reports that it "hurts too much" and refuses to cooperate?

• Allow the client to do the exercises later when he or she is in less pain

• Give the client an incentive spirometer to use instead.

• Help the client to do the exercise from the supine position.

• Support the incision site with a small pillow while doing the exercises.

How does a sequential compression device (SCD) work?

• The sleeves around the legs fill with air and then deflate, massaging the leg and assisting with blood return back to the heart.

• Different areas of the mattress inflate and deflate, helping to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers.

• Suction is applied to keep the stomach empty.

• The elastic fabric applies pressure to the legs to assist blood to return back to the heart.

The most important responsibility a nurse has to a client who has just returned from having surgery is to

• be sure the client understands the importance of using the call bell.

• have the client cough and deep breath at least every hour.

• take and record the client's vital signs often.

• report anything unusual about the client's condition immediately to the nurse.