Author Question: An operating room nurse is offering a refresher course on general anesthetics. To evaluate the ... (Read 32 times)

gonzo233 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

An operating room nurse is offering a refresher course on general anesthetics. To evaluate the group's understanding, the nurse asks, How does nitrous oxide differ from other volatile liquid anesthetics?

Which response made by a member of the class would indicate a need for further teaching?
a. Nitrous oxide has a higher analgesic potency.
b. Nitrous oxide has a lower anesthetic potency.
c. Nitrous oxide can be used as a primary anesthetic agent for surgery.
d. Nitrous oxide causes nausea and vomiting more often.

Question 2

A nurse is providing preop teaching the night before a patient's surgery. The patient expresses fear of nausea and vomiting postoperatively from the anesthesia, because he had a bad experience a few years ago.

The nurse's best response to the patient would be which of the following statements?
a. I understand your concerns and fears. I hope your surgeon discussed that problem with you.
b. Try not to worry. You will be heavily sedated if that occurs, and you will not remember the feelings.
c. Nausea and vomiting occur much less frequently now, since we use a more balanced approach to anesthesia.
d. Let both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist know about your fears of this side effect.

bd5255 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Nitrous oxide differs from the volatile liquid anesthetics in that it cannot be used as a primary anesthetic agent for surgery; this statement indicates a need for further teaching.
Nitrous oxide does have a higher analgesic potency that other volatile liquid anesthetics; no further teaching is required.
Nitrous oxide does have a lower anesthetic potency than other volatile liquid anesthetics; no further teaching is required.
Nitrous oxide does cause nausea and vomiting more often than do other volatile liquid anesthetics; no further teaching is required.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient should be encouraged to communicate his fears to the surgeon and anesthesiologist and they can explain what specific medications will be utilized and the effects the patient can anticipate.
The statement, I hope your surgeon discussed that problem with you, does not address the patient's expressed fears.
Telling the patient that he will be heavily sedated does not address his fear.
Nausea and vomiting are individualized responses postoperatively, therefore the general frequency of these effects might not apply to this patient.