Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts and
Practice 3rd ed. Chapter 5: Care of
Postoperative Surgical Patients
1)What verbal report is given when pt goes from OR to PACU? - procedure done
blood loss
anesthesia administered
fluids infused
medications administered
any problems encountered
2)How long is a patient in PACU after surgery? - 2 to 6 hours
3)What immediate PACU care/assessment is provided? - airway/oxygen
circulation
vital signs
temp/warm blankets
neuro status
I&O
4)What does the nurse provide when a pt is coming out of anesthesia? - quiet
environment
reorientation
reassurance
assess every 15 minutes
position in lateral position if aspiration risk
5)What determines pt's eligibility for transfer from PACU? - activity
respiration
circulation
consciousness
skin color
O2 sat
Aldrete score of 9 or 10
6)How long does same day (ambulatory) surgery take? - 1 to 3 hours
7)What discharge teaching is provided? - wound care
activity
written instructions that include meds, complications to watch for, doctor's name and
facility phone number
, 8)After the first couple hours after sx, a UAP may be assigned to take vital signs. What
should the LPN inform the UAP to report? - temp above 99.8
bp alteration way above or below baseline
tachycardia
resp rate above or below normal
9)What is the top priority in postoperative monitoring? - ABCs
10)How many hours after sx require frequent observations to detect complications? -
the first 72 hours
11)What patient are more prone to postoperative complications? - diabetics due to
decreased impaired healing systems
12)What patients should avoid moving their head after sx? - cataract patients
13)Why is the postoperative pt at risk for respiratory problems? - diminished breath
sound in lower lobe due to anesthesia effect
being in one position for duration of sx
limited mobility in post op period
14)Why is adequate pain control for the post-op elderly pts important? - it prevents
respiratory complications because with pain controlled pt will breath more deeply and
follow instructions for respiratory care
15)Why is the risk for hypoventilation greater in the elderly? - lung expansion may be
hampered by calcification of costal cartilage and weakened respiratory muscles
16)How should the LPN position and move the post-op pt? - position to prevent
aspiration until fully recovered, alert, and gag reflex in tact
turn every 2 hours
ambulate early
17)What is atelectasis? - collapse of alveoli in the lungs.
*some degree is normal p surgery*
18)What causes hypostatic pneumonia? - lack of movement/position change causes
statis of secretions which becomes breeding ground for bacteria
19)How long is mild hypoxia present after sx? - 48 hours
20)What are the signs of post-op complications? - SOB
pain on inspiration
Practice 3rd ed. Chapter 5: Care of
Postoperative Surgical Patients
1)What verbal report is given when pt goes from OR to PACU? - procedure done
blood loss
anesthesia administered
fluids infused
medications administered
any problems encountered
2)How long is a patient in PACU after surgery? - 2 to 6 hours
3)What immediate PACU care/assessment is provided? - airway/oxygen
circulation
vital signs
temp/warm blankets
neuro status
I&O
4)What does the nurse provide when a pt is coming out of anesthesia? - quiet
environment
reorientation
reassurance
assess every 15 minutes
position in lateral position if aspiration risk
5)What determines pt's eligibility for transfer from PACU? - activity
respiration
circulation
consciousness
skin color
O2 sat
Aldrete score of 9 or 10
6)How long does same day (ambulatory) surgery take? - 1 to 3 hours
7)What discharge teaching is provided? - wound care
activity
written instructions that include meds, complications to watch for, doctor's name and
facility phone number
, 8)After the first couple hours after sx, a UAP may be assigned to take vital signs. What
should the LPN inform the UAP to report? - temp above 99.8
bp alteration way above or below baseline
tachycardia
resp rate above or below normal
9)What is the top priority in postoperative monitoring? - ABCs
10)How many hours after sx require frequent observations to detect complications? -
the first 72 hours
11)What patient are more prone to postoperative complications? - diabetics due to
decreased impaired healing systems
12)What patients should avoid moving their head after sx? - cataract patients
13)Why is the postoperative pt at risk for respiratory problems? - diminished breath
sound in lower lobe due to anesthesia effect
being in one position for duration of sx
limited mobility in post op period
14)Why is adequate pain control for the post-op elderly pts important? - it prevents
respiratory complications because with pain controlled pt will breath more deeply and
follow instructions for respiratory care
15)Why is the risk for hypoventilation greater in the elderly? - lung expansion may be
hampered by calcification of costal cartilage and weakened respiratory muscles
16)How should the LPN position and move the post-op pt? - position to prevent
aspiration until fully recovered, alert, and gag reflex in tact
turn every 2 hours
ambulate early
17)What is atelectasis? - collapse of alveoli in the lungs.
*some degree is normal p surgery*
18)What causes hypostatic pneumonia? - lack of movement/position change causes
statis of secretions which becomes breeding ground for bacteria
19)How long is mild hypoxia present after sx? - 48 hours
20)What are the signs of post-op complications? - SOB
pain on inspiration
