A nurse is giving a preoperative patient a dose of famotidine ( Pepcid). The patient asks why the nurse is giving this drug when the patient has no history of ulcers. What response by the nurse is best?
“All preoperative patients get this medication."
“The physician prescribed this medication for you."
"It helps present ulcers from the stress of the surgery."
“Since you don't have ulcers, I will have to ask."
The Correct Answer is C
A. “All preoperative patients get this medication.” This statement is too broad and not entirely accurate. While many preoperative patients do receive famotidine (Pepcid), it’s not a standard for all. Medications are prescribed based on individual patient needs and medical history.
B. “The physician prescribed this medication for you.” While this is technically true, it doesn’t provide the patient with an understanding of why the medication is necessary. As a nurse, part of your role is to educate patients about their medications.
C. “It helps prevent ulcers from the stress of the surgery.” This is the correct answer. Famotidine (Pepcid) is given to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which can help prevent stress ulcers that can occur due to the physical stress of surgery.
D. “Since you don’t have ulcers, I will have to ask.” This statement suggests uncertainty and a lack of knowledge about the medication’s purpose. It’s important for healthcare professionals to understand the medications they administer and be able to explain them to patients.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Full thickness:
Full-thickness burns involve damage to the entire thickness of the skin, including the epidermis and dermis. They often result in a white, charred, or leather-like appearance and are typically painless due to nerve damage. In the context of the patient's data, the description of "bilateral leg burns present with a white and leather-like appearance" indicates that the burns have penetrated deeply into the skin, suggesting full-thickness burns. The absence of blisters or bleeding is also consistent with full-thickness burns, as these burns often destroy the structures that would form blisters.
B. Superficial:
Superficial burns, also known as first-degree burns, only affect the outer layer of the skin (epidermis).They are characterized by redness, pain, and swelling but do not typically result in blisters or significant skin damage. The patient's description of "white and leather-like appearance" and the absence of blisters or bleeding are not indicative of superficial burns. Therefore, superficial burns are not an appropriate categorization based on the provided data.
C. Partial-thickness superficial:
Partial-thickness superficial burns, also known as second-degree superficial burns, affect the epidermis and part of the dermis. They are characterized by redness, blister formation, and pain. However, the description of "white and leather-like appearance" does not align with partial-thickness superficial burns, as these burns typically do not result in a white or charred appearance. Additionally, the absence of blisters or bleeding is not consistent with partial-thickness superficial burns.
D. Partial-thickness deep:
Partial-thickness deep burns, also known as second-degree deep burns, extend deeper into the dermis compared to partial-thickness superficial burns but do not penetrate through the entire dermis. They are characterized by redness, blister formation, and moderate to severe pain. The absence of blisters or bleeding and the description of "white and leather-like appearance" are more indicative of full-thickness burns rather than partial-thickness deep burns.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Evidence-based practice:
Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves integrating the best available evidence from research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values to inform nursing practice. In perioperative nursing, EBP is important for making informed decisions about preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care protocols. For example, using evidence-based guidelines for surgical site infection prevention, pain management strategies, and postoperative care protocols can improve patient outcomes and safety.
B. Informatics:
Informatics refers to the use of information technology and data management systems to support nursing practice, education, research, and patient care. In perioperative nursing, informatics plays a crucial role in managing electronic health records (EHRs), accessing patient data, documenting care, and communicating with interdisciplinary team members. It also includes utilizing perioperative information systems for surgical scheduling, anesthesia records, and tracking patient progress during surgery.
C. Quality improvement:
Quality improvement (QI) involves systematic processes to monitor, assess, and improve the quality of healthcare services. In perioperative nursing, QI initiatives focus on enhancing patient safety, optimizing surgical outcomes, reducing complications, and improving efficiency in perioperative processes. Nurses participate in QI projects by analyzing data, identifying areas for improvement, implementing evidence-based practices, and evaluating the impact of interventions on patient care and outcomes.
D. Safety:
Safety is a fundamental QSEN competency, particularly critical in perioperative nursing care. Perioperative nurses are responsible for ensuring the safety of patients during all phases of surgery, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative care, and postoperative recovery. This includes measures such as verifying patient identity and surgical site, preventing surgical errors (e.g., wrong-site surgery), maintaining aseptic techniques to prevent infections, preventing falls and injuries, managing anesthesia safely, and adhering to protocols for safe medication administration and equipment use.
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