The nurse is caring for a patient who requires emergency surgery ...

[mp14]

The nurse is caring for a patient who requires emergency surgery for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The patient was on his way back to work after having lunch with colleagues when the accident happened. What is the highest priority nursin
 
  a. Risk for imbalanced body temperature
  b. Risk for aspiration
  c. Risk for perioperative positioning injury
  d. Risk for delayed surgical recovery

Question 2

The nurse is obtaining preoperative information for a patient who will be having emergency surgery shortly for a ruptured appendix. Which information is crucial for the nurse to assess? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. All medications that the patient is taking
  b. Use of tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs
  c. Allergies to medications, foods, or other substances
  d. Date of last tetanus shot and flu vaccination
  e. Insurance coverage and preauthorization requirements
  f.
  Possibility of pregnancy

[kjohnson]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Risk for aspiration is the highest priority because the patient has not been NPO and his stomach is filled with food after lunching with his colleagues. The patient may easily aspirate stomach contents into the airway when general anesthesia is administered, so precautions must be taken to prevent this from happening. The other nursing diagnoses certainly apply but are not as important as risk for aspiration.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, F
Priority assessment must be completed prior to emergency surgery, including use of medications, alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs because these may interact with anesthesia medications. Allergies must be identified to prevent reactions in the operating room. Special precautions may be taken if the patient is pregnant, so this must also be determined preoperatively. Asking the patient about vaccinations or insurance coverage is not a priority prior to surgery.

[mp14]

Excellent

[ryhom]

Gracias!