Question 1 of 6
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Which intervention would be prescribed for a postoperative patient who develops shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, and tachypnea?
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- Administer oxygen and a therapeutic anticoagulant.Oxygen and a therapeutic anticoagulant are the correct interventions for a suspected pulmonary embolus.
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- Place the patient supine with the knees flexed.Placing the patient supine with the knees flexed is an intervention for a wound evisceration.
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- Elevate the feet and legs and administer a volume expander.Elevating the feet and legs and administering a volume expander are interventions for hemorrhage and shock.
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- Encourage use of incentive spirometry.Incentive spirometry helps prevent atelectasis.
Question 2 of 6
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The nurse suspects which postoperative complication when a patient presents with a high temperature, hypotension, and dark, cola-colored urine?
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- HypoventilationHypotension is a postoperative complication that presents with a decreased rate and depth of breathing and decreased level of consciousness.
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- ThrombophlebitisThrombophlebitis is a postoperative complication that presents with pain or warmth in the calf or leg. There may be a temperature elevation, but hypotension and dark, cola-colored urine do not correspond to this condition.
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- Malignant hyperthermiaMalignant hyperthermia is a postoperative complication that presents with a very high temperature, cardiac dysrhythmias, hypotension, muscle rigidity, tachypnea, and dark, cola-colored urine.
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- Wound infectionA wound infection is a postoperative complication that presents with warmth, redness, pain, and swelling at the incisional site.
Question 3 of 6
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Which solution is used to irrigate a noninfected surgical wound?
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- Warm water and soapSoap can potentially delay healing time and irritate the skin.
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- Sterile normal salineSterile normal saline is the most common solution used to clean and irrigate wounds.
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- Isopropyl alcoholAlcohol can dry the wound out and delay healing.
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- Hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide can destroy healthy cells and delay wound healing.
Question 4 of 6
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Which postoperative complication is suspected in an afebrile patient with hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased urinary output?
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- Malignant hyperthermiaMalignant hyperthermia is a postoperative complication where the patient presents with a high fever, hypotension, and dark, cola-colored urine.
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- Myocardial infarctionClinical manifestations of a myocardial infarction include chest pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis.
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- ShockClinical manifestations of shock include evidence of copious bleeding, decreased blood pressure, elevated pulse, cold clammy skin, and decreased urinary output.
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- Fluid volume overloadSigns of fluid volume overload include hypertension, edema, shortness of breath, and abdominal distention.
Question 5 of 6
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Which form of shock occurs when there is a dilation of blood vessels as a result of damaged nervous system regulation?
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- DistributiveDistributive shock occurs with the dilation of blood vessels as a result of faulty nervous system regulation.
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- CardiogenicCardiogenic shock occurs when the heart failures to function as a pump.
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- SepticSeptic shock occurs when toxins from bacteria relax and dilate blood vessels, resulting in hypotension.
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- HypovolemicHypovolemic shock occurs as a result of low blood volume, such as with a hemorrhage.
Question 6 of 6
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The nurse questions which intervention that is prescribed for a postoperative patient with worsening hypotension, a thready pulse, and a declining level of consciousness?
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- Placing the patient in the supine positionThe patient is experiencing shock. An appropriate intervention is to place the patient with feet and legs elevated and the head flat, to add blood volume to the vital organs.
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- Elevating the lower extremitiesThe patient is experiencing shock. An appropriate intervention is to place the patient with feet and legs elevated and the head flat, to add blood volume to the vital organs.
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- Providing fluidsFluids are needed to increase cardiac output and improve tissue perfusion.
- Correct
- Administering a narcoticIn patients with shock, administering narcotics can worsen hypotension further and should be avoided.