A nurse is finalizing preparations for a patient going to surgery in 30 minutes. Which of the following tasks should be the nurse's top priority?
Ensure that there is an incentive spirometer ready for when the patient gets to the PACU to help prevent atelectasis.
Provide preoperative teaching about preventing blood clots after surgery.
Report to the provider that the patient has allergies to sardines.
Administer the ordered preoperative intravenous antibiotic.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Ensuring an incentive spirometer is available is important for postoperative care to prevent atelectasis, but it is not the priority immediately before surgery.
B. Preoperative teaching is valuable but should ideally be completed earlier in the care process. Last-minute teaching may overwhelm the patient or delay critical interventions.
C. Reporting allergies is essential, but if the allergy to sardines does not pertain to the current surgical plan or medications, it is not the immediate priority in this situation.
D. Administering the preoperative intravenous antibiotic is the top priority because it helps reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Timing of preoperative antibiotics is critical to their effectiveness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A potassium level of 3.3 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias due to the role of potassium in maintaining normal cardiac conduction and muscle contraction. Monitoring the client’s heart rhythm is crucial.
B. Neurogenic shock is not a complication of hypokalemia. It is typically caused by spinal cord injury or central nervous system damage, not electrolyte imbalances.
C. Hypoglycemia is not directly associated with hypokalemia or furosemide use. Furosemide primarily affects fluid and electrolyte balance, not glucose regulation.
D. While severe hypokalemia can cause neuromuscular issues, seizures are more commonly associated with conditions like hyponatremia or hypocalcemia, not hypokalemia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Administering furosemide (a diuretic) would worsen dehydration and is contraindicated in this scenario. The goal is to rehydrate the client, not to promote fluid loss.
B. Educating the client that oral fluids are not necessary is incorrect. Oral fluids are important for rehydration, and the client should be encouraged to drink fluids unless contraindicated.
C. Monitoring the client's weight once a week is not sufficient for assessing dehydration status. More frequent monitoring is needed to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
D. Monitoring the client's IV site and infusion is essential to ensure that the IV is patent, the fluid is being infused properly, and there are no complications such as infiltration or infection. This is a key aspect of nursing care for clients receiving IV fluids.
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