Author Question: The operating room environment is deliberately kept cool. When the nurse assesses the patient in the ... (Read 119 times)

sabina · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The operating room environment is deliberately kept cool. When the nurse assesses the patient in the post anesthesia care unit, the patient is shivering. The nurse needs to understand that shiver-ing may:

A. be a side effect of anesthesia.
B. indicate a problem of the hypothalamus.
C. indicate the beginning of the infectious process.
D. be a normal response to stabilize blood pressure.

Question 2

A patient is awaiting surgery. The nurse's best rationale for assessing vital signs is to:

A. assess the patient's anxiety level.
B. determine the patient's basal temperature.
C. establish a baseline for vital signs comparisons.
D. assess for any changes in the blood pressure and pulse.

yahahah24021 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
The operating room environment is cool, and the patient's depressed level of body function re-sults in a lowering of metabolism and fall in body temperature. When patients begin to awaken, they often complain of feeling cold and uncomfortable. Shivering is not always a sign of hypo-thermia, but rather a side effect of certain anesthetic agents. If a patient develops a fever, notify the surgeon immediately.

Answer to Question 2

C
Factors to assess include respiration, circulation, infection control, GI function, and comfort. Baseline vital signs give a basis for comparison.