A patient tells the nurse that he must be having minor surgery ...

[kshipps]

A patient tells the nurse that he must be having minor surgery since it will be done as an outpatient. How should the nurse respond to this patient?
 
  1. Every surgical procedure is serious, and I will make sure you have information to have a successful recovery.
  2. You are right.
  3. If it were more serious, you would be admitted to the hospital.
  4. Your insurance plan does not cover inpatient surgical procedures. That's why your surgery is being done as an outpatient.

Question 2

While making a home visit the nurse learns that a patient self-administering insulin injections is placing the used needles and syringes in the family's trash can. What action should the nurse take?
 
  1. Instruct the patient to place the needles and syringes in a separate plastic bag.
  2. Nothing, because these needles and syringes are harmless to the general population.
  3. Ask the patient to save all used syringes and needles after use for the nurse to dispose of.
  4. Teach the patient to place all used syringes and needles into the red biohazard sharps box.

[jaykayy05]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

The complexity of the surgery and recovery and the expected level of care needed on completion of the surgery are the major differences between inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures. The outpatient surgical patient and family must cope with the additional stress of needing to learn a great deal of information in a short span of time. The nurse should explain that every surgical procedure is serious and that the patient will be given information to have a successful recovery. The nurse should not agree with the patient about outpatient surgery being minor. The nurse does not know if the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital. The nurse does not have enough information about the patient's insurance coverage to make the statement about the patient having surgery as an outpatient.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4

The disposal of sharp objects such as needles used for injections is a safety issue in the home. The nurse must address this with the patient, demonstrate safe disposal, and provide the necessary equipment for safe disposal. Used needles and syringes should not be placed in a plastic bag. They could puncture the bag and cause someone harm. Doing nothing would be considered negligence on the part of the nurse. The nurse is not responsible for disposing of a patient's used needles and syringes.

[kshipps]

TYSM

[sailorcrescent]

Excellent