A patient arrives at the ambulatory surgery center for a ...

[clmills979]

A patient arrives at the ambulatory surgery center for a scheduled laparoscopy procedure in outpatient surgery. Which information is of most concern to the nurse?
 
  a. The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.
  b. The patient had a sip of water 4 hours before arriving.
  c. The patient's insurance does not cover outpatient surgery.
  d. The patient has not had surgery using general anesthesia before.

Question 2

A patient who has never had any prior surgeries tells the nurse doing the preoperative assessment about an allergy to bananas and avocados. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
 
  a. Notify the dietitian about the food allergies.
  b. Alert the surgery center about a possible latex allergy.
  c. Reassure the patient that all allergies are noted on the medical record.
  d. Ask whether the patient uses antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions.

[allisonblackmore]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
After outpatient surgery, the patient should not drive home and will need assistance with transportation and home care. The patient's experience with surgery is assessed, but it does not have as much application to the patient's physiologic safety. The patient's insurance coverage is important to establish, but this is not usually the nurse's role or a priority in nursing care. Having clear liquids a few hours before surgery does not usually increase risk for aspiration.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Certain food allergies (e.g., eggs, avocados, bananas, chestnuts, potatoes, peaches) are related to latex allergies. When a patient is allergic to latex, special nonlatex materials are used during surgical procedures, and the staff will need to know about the allergy in advance to obtain appropriate nonlatex materials and have them available during surgery. The other actions also may be appropriate, but prevention of allergic reaction during surgery is the most important action.

[clmills979]

TYSM

[coreycathey]

Excellent