C HAPTER 22: S URGICAL W OUND C ARE
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to perform a dressing change on a patient following
a total hip replacement. When should the nurse admin ister an analgesic
drug in an attempt to promote patient comfort during the dressing change?
a. After the dressing change
b. At least 15 minutes before the dressing change
c. At least 30 minutes before the dressing change
d. At least 1 hour before the dressing change
ANS: C
It may help to give an analgesic at least 30 minutes before exposing the
wound.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 621 OBJ: 7
TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
2. The nurse informs a patient that a wet -to-dry dressing is applied wet and
allowed to dry. This drying process causes it to adhere to the wound. What
is the result of this intervention when the dressing is removed?
a. Destruction of tissue
b. Bleeding
c. Mechanical débridement
, d. Prevention of infection
ANS: C
The primary purpose of a wet -to-dry dressing is to débride a wound
mechanicall y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 623
OBJ: 7 TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
3. The nurse assessing a postoperative patient discovers that the pulse is
rapid, blood pressure has decreased, urinary output has decreased, and the
dressing is dry. What can the nurse determine is indicated by these
findings?
a. Pain shock
b. Dehydration
c. Internal hemorrhage
d. Acute infection
ANS: C
If a patient has a rapid pulse, decreased blood pressure, decreased
urinary output, and the dressing is dry, then the diagnosis is most
likel y an internal hemorrhage.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: pp. 62 8-629
OBJ: 3 TOP: Postoperative KEY: Nursing
, Process Step: Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
4. What is the usual length of time before suture removal?
a. 2 to 3 days
b. 4 to 5 days
c. 5 to 6 days
d. 7 to 10 days
ANS: D
Sutures are generall y removed within 7 to 10 days.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 629 OBJ: 9
TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
5. The nurse carefull y measures drainage during the first 24 hours after
surgery on a patient with a Jackson -Pratt drain. What is the maximum
amount of drainage considered normal?
a. 50 m L
b. 100 m L
c. 200 m L
d. 300 m L
ANS: D
Drainage greater than 300 m L in 24 hours is considered abnormal.
Cooper: Foundation of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to perform a dressing change on a patient following
a total hip replacement. When should the nurse admin ister an analgesic
drug in an attempt to promote patient comfort during the dressing change?
a. After the dressing change
b. At least 15 minutes before the dressing change
c. At least 30 minutes before the dressing change
d. At least 1 hour before the dressing change
ANS: C
It may help to give an analgesic at least 30 minutes before exposing the
wound.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 621 OBJ: 7
TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
2. The nurse informs a patient that a wet -to-dry dressing is applied wet and
allowed to dry. This drying process causes it to adhere to the wound. What
is the result of this intervention when the dressing is removed?
a. Destruction of tissue
b. Bleeding
c. Mechanical débridement
, d. Prevention of infection
ANS: C
The primary purpose of a wet -to-dry dressing is to débride a wound
mechanicall y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 623
OBJ: 7 TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process
Step: Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
3. The nurse assessing a postoperative patient discovers that the pulse is
rapid, blood pressure has decreased, urinary output has decreased, and the
dressing is dry. What can the nurse determine is indicated by these
findings?
a. Pain shock
b. Dehydration
c. Internal hemorrhage
d. Acute infection
ANS: C
If a patient has a rapid pulse, decreased blood pressure, decreased
urinary output, and the dressing is dry, then the diagnosis is most
likel y an internal hemorrhage.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: pp. 62 8-629
OBJ: 3 TOP: Postoperative KEY: Nursing
, Process Step: Assessment MSC: NC LEX: Physiological
Integrit y
4. What is the usual length of time before suture removal?
a. 2 to 3 days
b. 4 to 5 days
c. 5 to 6 days
d. 7 to 10 days
ANS: D
Sutures are generall y removed within 7 to 10 days.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 629 OBJ: 9
TOP: Wounds KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y
5. The nurse carefull y measures drainage during the first 24 hours after
surgery on a patient with a Jackson -Pratt drain. What is the maximum
amount of drainage considered normal?
a. 50 m L
b. 100 m L
c. 200 m L
d. 300 m L
ANS: D
Drainage greater than 300 m L in 24 hours is considered abnormal.
