A nurse in a PACU is transferring care of a client to a nurse on the medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the hand-off report?
“The client was intubated without complications.”
“There was a total of 10 sponges used during the procedure.”
“The estimated blood loss was 250 milliliters.”
“The client is a member of the board of directors.”.
The Correct Answer is C
This statement should be included in the hand-off report because it provides essential information about the patient’s intraoperative status and potential postoperative complications, such as hypovolemia, anemia, or infection. The estimated blood loss (EBL) is an important indicator of the patient’s fluid balance and hemodynamic stability.
Choice A is wrong because “The client was intubated without complications.” is not relevant for the postoperative care of the patient. The intubation status is usually documented in the anesthesia record and does not need to be repeated in the hand-off report unless there were any issues or injuries related to the airway management.
Choice B is wrong because “There was a total of 10 sponges used during the procedure.” is not pertinent for the postoperative care of the patient.
The number of sponges used during the surgery is usually counted and verified by the scrub nurse and the circulating nurse in the operating room to prevent any retained foreign bodies. This information does not need to be communicated to the PACU nurse unless there was a discrepancy or a missing sponge.
Choice D is wrong because “The client is a member of the board of directors.” is not appropriate for the hand-off report.
This statement violates the patient’s privacy and confidentiality and does not contribute to the quality or safety of care. The patient’s role or position in the organization should not influence the hand-off communication or the postoperative care.
A hand-off report is a critical communication tool that facilitates the transfer of care from one provider to another. It should include relevant information about the patient’s medical history, surgical procedure, intraoperative events, postoperative plan, and any concerns or potential problems.
A standardized hand-off tool, such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), can help improve the consistency, accuracy, and completeness of the hand-off report.
Some normal ranges that may be useful for postoperative care are:
- Blood pressure: 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
- Pulse: 60 to 100 beats/min
- Respiratory rate: 12 to 20 breaths/min
- Oxygen saturation: 95% to 100%
- Temperature: 36°C to 37.5°C
- Hemoglobin: 12 to 18 g/dL
- Hematocrit: 36% to 54%
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A option
Fibrinogen level: Fibrinogen is a protein involved in the blood clotting process, but in this case, it is not appropriate because is not the primary laboratory test used to monitor warfarin therapy. Monitoring fibrinogen levels is more relevant in assessing bleeding disorders or certain medical conditions.
Choice B option
PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time): PTT is another laboratory test used to evaluate blood clotting function, particularly the intrinsic pathway of the clotting cascade. PTT is not routinely used to monitor warfarin therapy; it is more commonly used to monitor other anticoagulant medications like heparin.
Choice C option
The nurse should plan to report the client's INR (International Normalized Ratio) to obtain a prescription for the client's daily warfarin. INR is a critical laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication commonly prescribed to prevent and treat blood clots. It works by interfering with the body's ability to use vitamin K to form blood clots. Monitoring the INR is essential because it indicates how long it takes for the blood to clot, and it helps determine if the client's warfarin dosage needs adjustment to achieve the desired level of anticoagulation.
Choice D option
Platelet count: Platelet count is essential to assess the number of platelets in the blood, which are crucial for normal clotting. However, platelet count monitoring is not the primary focus when prescribing warfarin. It is typically used to evaluate thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) or other conditions affecting platelet function.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d. Evaluate functioning of the suction device.
Choice D rationale:
- Prompt assessment of the suction device is crucial to determine if it's functioning properly.If the suction is inadequate,it can lead to gastric contents accumulating and potentially causing vomiting.
- Assessing the suction device first allows for timely interventionif it's not working correctly,preventing further complications and discomfort for the client.
Choice A rationale:
- Replacing the NG tube might be necessary if it's dislodged or blocked, but it shouldn't be the immediate action.
- Evaluating the suction device first can help determine if the NG tube itself is the issue or if the problem lies with the suction.
Choice B rationale:
- Providing oral hygiene care is important for comfort and to prevent aspiration, but it's not the priority intervention in this situation.
- Addressing the cause of the vomiting, which could be related to suction malfunction, takes precedence.
Choice C rationale:
- Administering an antiemetic might be helpful to control nausea and vomiting, but it doesn't address the underlying cause.
- Evaluating the suction device first is essential to ensure proper gastric decompression and prevent further vomiting episodes.
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