A nurse assesses a client in the preoperative holding area and ...

[deesands]

A nurse assesses a client in the preoperative holding area and finds brittle nails and hair, dry skin turgor, and muscle wasting. What action by the nurse is best?
 
  a. Consult the surgeon about a postoperative dietitian referral.
  b. Document the findings thoroughly in the client's chart.
  c. Encourage the client to eat more after recovering from surgery.
  d. Refer the client to Meals on Wheels after discharge.

Question 2

A student is caring for clients in the preoperative area. The nurse contacts the surgeon about a client whose heart rate is 120 beats/min. After consulting with the surgeon, the nurse administers a beta blocker to the client. The student asks why this was
 
  a. A rapid heart rate requires more effort by the heart.
  b. Anesthesia has bad effects if the client is tachycardic.
  c. The client may have an undiagnosed heart condition.
  d. When the heart rate goes up, the blood pressure does too.

[courtney_bruh]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
This client has signs of malnutrition, which can impact recovery from surgery. The nurse should consult the surgeon about prescribing a consultation with a dietitian in the postoperative period. The nurse should document the findings but needs to do more. Encouraging the client to eat more may be helpful, but the client needs a professional nutritional assessment so that the appropriate diet and supplements can be ordered. The client may or may not need Meals on Wheels after discharge.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Tachycardia increases the workload of the heart and requires more oxygen delivery to the myocardial tissues. This added strain is not needed on top of the physical and emotional stress of surgery. The other statements are not accurate.