The nurse plans to provide preoperative teaching to an alert ...

[B]

The nurse plans to provide preoperative teaching to an alert older man who has hearing and vision deficits. His wife usually answers most questions that are directed to the patient. Which action should the nurse take when doing the teaching?
 
  a. Use printed materials for instruction so that the patient will have more time to review the material.
  b. Direct the teaching toward the wife because she is the obvious support and caregiver for the patient.
  c. Provide additional time for the patient to understand preoperative instructions and carry out procedures.
  d. Ask the patient's wife to wait in the hall in order to focus preoperative teaching with the patient himself.

Question 2

The outpatient surgery nurse reviews the complete blood cell (CBC) count results for a patient who is scheduled for surgery in a few days.
 
  The results are white blood cell (WBC) count 10.2  103/L; hemoglobin 15 g/dL; hematocrit 45; platelets 150  103/L. Which action should the nurse take?
  a. Call the surgeon and anesthesiologist immediately.
  b. Ask the patient about any symptoms of a recent infection.
  c. Discuss the possibility of blood transfusion with the patient.
  d. Send the patient to the holding area when the operating room calls.

[kkenney]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The nurse should allow more time when doing preoperative teaching and preparation for older patients with sensory deficits. Because the patient has visual deficits, he will not be able to use written material for learning. The teaching should be directed toward both the patient and the wife because both will need to understand preoperative procedures and teaching.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The CBC count results are normal. With normal results, the patient can go to the holding area when the operating room is ready for the patient. There is no need to notify the surgeon or anesthesiologist, discuss blood transfusion, or ask about recent infection.