Week 1 Med Surge WCU Examination
Questions with Complete Answers
What is the intervention for airway obstruction: tongue? - Answer- Stimulation, Head
Tilt, Artificial Airway
What is the intervention for the airway obstruction: secretions? - Answer- Suction, Deep
Breathing, Hydration
What is the intervention for the airway obstruction: laryngospasm or edema? - Answer-
O2, Muscle Relaxant, Steroids, Intubate
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: atelectasis? - Answer- Deep Breathing, IS,
Ambulation
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: pulmonary edema? - Answer- Diuretics, Fluid
Restriction
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: pulmonary embolus? - Answer- O2,
Anticoagulants
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: aspiration? - Answer- O2, Antibiotics
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: depressed drive? - Answer- Stimulation,
Reversal Meds, Mechanical Ventilation
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: poor muscle tone? - Answer- Reverse
Paralysis, Mechanical Ventilation
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: pain? - Answer- Pain Meds,
Complementary Therapy (music)
Nursing Management for Respiratory Problems - Answer- Positioning
Lateral Recovery position when unconscious
Supine with HOB up when alert
O2 Therapy
If ordered or patient had general anesthesia
Deep Breathing
Incentive spirometer
Coughing
Mobilizes secretions
Teach splinting
Ambulation
, Pain Meds
Pain is #1 reason patient won't deep breathe and ambulate
Hydration
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
HYPOTENSION - Answer- Disorientation, Oliguria, Dizziness, Chest Pain
Fluid and Blood Loss- Restore fluids
If fluid replacement does not work, suspect heart dysfunction
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
HYPERTENSION - Answer- Result of pain, anxiety, bladder distension, hypothermia,
and HTN
Treat the cause
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
DYSRHYMIAS - Answer- Caused by hypoxemia, hypercapnia, electrolyte imbalance,
hypothermia
Treat the cause
Causes of post-op pain - Answer- Incision, retraction, reflex muscle spasms
Anxiety/tension can cause increased muscle tone
Positioning
Devices
Multi-modal analgesia - Answer- Combines drugs with at least with two mechanisms of
action so pain control can be optimized
Timing of PRN orders - Answer- Ambulating, PT
Opioid side effects - Answer- Constipation, N/V, respiratory and cough depression,
hypotension
Complications of hypothermia - Answer- HTN due to vasoconstriction
Compromised immune function
Cardiac events
Surgical site infection
Altered drug metabolism
Shivering
Can increase O2 consumption by 500% leading to
hypoxemia and angina (myocardia ischemia)
Nursing Management: Hypothermia - Answer- Temperature q15 minutes until
normothermic
Use same method each time (oral, temporal, tympanic)
Passive Warming
Warm blankets, socks, limiting skin exposure
Questions with Complete Answers
What is the intervention for airway obstruction: tongue? - Answer- Stimulation, Head
Tilt, Artificial Airway
What is the intervention for the airway obstruction: secretions? - Answer- Suction, Deep
Breathing, Hydration
What is the intervention for the airway obstruction: laryngospasm or edema? - Answer-
O2, Muscle Relaxant, Steroids, Intubate
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: atelectasis? - Answer- Deep Breathing, IS,
Ambulation
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: pulmonary edema? - Answer- Diuretics, Fluid
Restriction
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: pulmonary embolus? - Answer- O2,
Anticoagulants
What is the intervention for hypoxemia: aspiration? - Answer- O2, Antibiotics
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: depressed drive? - Answer- Stimulation,
Reversal Meds, Mechanical Ventilation
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: poor muscle tone? - Answer- Reverse
Paralysis, Mechanical Ventilation
What is the intervention for hypoventilation: pain? - Answer- Pain Meds,
Complementary Therapy (music)
Nursing Management for Respiratory Problems - Answer- Positioning
Lateral Recovery position when unconscious
Supine with HOB up when alert
O2 Therapy
If ordered or patient had general anesthesia
Deep Breathing
Incentive spirometer
Coughing
Mobilizes secretions
Teach splinting
Ambulation
, Pain Meds
Pain is #1 reason patient won't deep breathe and ambulate
Hydration
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
HYPOTENSION - Answer- Disorientation, Oliguria, Dizziness, Chest Pain
Fluid and Blood Loss- Restore fluids
If fluid replacement does not work, suspect heart dysfunction
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
HYPERTENSION - Answer- Result of pain, anxiety, bladder distension, hypothermia,
and HTN
Treat the cause
Nursing Management: Cardiovascular Problems
DYSRHYMIAS - Answer- Caused by hypoxemia, hypercapnia, electrolyte imbalance,
hypothermia
Treat the cause
Causes of post-op pain - Answer- Incision, retraction, reflex muscle spasms
Anxiety/tension can cause increased muscle tone
Positioning
Devices
Multi-modal analgesia - Answer- Combines drugs with at least with two mechanisms of
action so pain control can be optimized
Timing of PRN orders - Answer- Ambulating, PT
Opioid side effects - Answer- Constipation, N/V, respiratory and cough depression,
hypotension
Complications of hypothermia - Answer- HTN due to vasoconstriction
Compromised immune function
Cardiac events
Surgical site infection
Altered drug metabolism
Shivering
Can increase O2 consumption by 500% leading to
hypoxemia and angina (myocardia ischemia)
Nursing Management: Hypothermia - Answer- Temperature q15 minutes until
normothermic
Use same method each time (oral, temporal, tympanic)
Passive Warming
Warm blankets, socks, limiting skin exposure
