Health & Healing – POSTOPERATIVE Questions With
Complete Solutions
A 70-year-old client becomes restless and agitated as he begins
to regain consciousness in the PACU, and his Sp02 is 88%.
What is the most common cause of hypoxemia during anesthesia
recovery that the nurse bases their knowledge on to intervene?
a) Bronchospasm
b) Pulmonary edema
c) Atelectasis
d) Aspiration of gastric contents Correct Answers C
A client had an estimated blood loss of 400 mL during
abdominal surgery. The client received 300 mL of 0.9% saline
during surgery and now is experiencing hypotension
postoperatively. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate
for this client?
a) Monitor pulse and blood pressure
b) Restoring circulating volume
c) An ECG to check circulatory status
d) Return to surgery to check for internal bleeding Correct
Answers B
A client has been admitted to the postanaesthesia care unit
(PACU). Which assessment finding requires the nurse's
immediate action?
a) The client indicates that he or she is in pain
b) The client is groggy but arouses to voice
c) The client is restless, agitated, and hypotensive
d) The Jackson-Pratt is draining serosanguinous fluid Correct
Answers C
,A client has difficulty passing urine after surgery for the
correction of rectal prolapse. Which actions should the nurse
implement to help this client void? Select all that apply.
a) Perform early catheterization
b) Encourage immobility and bed rest
c) Pour warm water over perineum
d) Reassure the client of the ability to void
e) Help the client to attain a normal voiding position Correct
Answers C,D,E
A client inadvertently received a large amount of intravenous
fluid. On examination, the nurse finds that the client has reduced
oxygen saturation, crackles on auscultation, and infiltrates on
chest x-ray. Which actions should the nurse implement to help
relieve the client's breathing discomfort and promote oxygen
saturation? Select all that apply.
a) Restrict fluids
b) Administer diuretics
c) Administer oxygen therapy
d) Administer bronchodilators
e) Implement anticoagulant therapy Correct Answers A,B,C
A client is admitted to the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU)
after major colon surgery. During the initial assessment the
client says to the nurse "I am going to throw up". Which
statement by the nurse reflects a priority nursing intervention?
a) "I need to check your vital signs"
b) "Let me help you turn to your side"
c) "Here is a sip of ginger ale for you"
, d) "I can give you some anti-nausea medicine" Correct Answers
B
A client is having elective cosmetic surgery performed on the
face. The client will remain at the surgery centre for 24 hours
after surgery. Which goal is the nurse's postoperative priority for
this client?
a) Manage client pain
b) Control the bleeding
c) Maintain fluid balance
d) Manage oxygenation status Correct Answers D
A client is transferred to the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU)
after surgery. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority
initially?
a) Assess intake, output, and fluid balance
b) Assess airway, breathing, and circulation status
c) Note the presence of all IV lines and drainage catheters
d) Assess the surgical site and condition of the dressing Correct
Answers B
A client on the postoperative unit has shallow respirations. On
examination, the nurse finds the client to be hypoxemic. After
inquiry, it was discovered that the client was given a large dose
of opioids during the surgery. Which prescription should the
nurse expect to be prescribed to manage hypoxemia in this
client?
a) Opioids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Drugs to reverse the effects of opioids
d) Withhold mechanical ventilation Correct Answers C
Complete Solutions
A 70-year-old client becomes restless and agitated as he begins
to regain consciousness in the PACU, and his Sp02 is 88%.
What is the most common cause of hypoxemia during anesthesia
recovery that the nurse bases their knowledge on to intervene?
a) Bronchospasm
b) Pulmonary edema
c) Atelectasis
d) Aspiration of gastric contents Correct Answers C
A client had an estimated blood loss of 400 mL during
abdominal surgery. The client received 300 mL of 0.9% saline
during surgery and now is experiencing hypotension
postoperatively. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate
for this client?
a) Monitor pulse and blood pressure
b) Restoring circulating volume
c) An ECG to check circulatory status
d) Return to surgery to check for internal bleeding Correct
Answers B
A client has been admitted to the postanaesthesia care unit
(PACU). Which assessment finding requires the nurse's
immediate action?
a) The client indicates that he or she is in pain
b) The client is groggy but arouses to voice
c) The client is restless, agitated, and hypotensive
d) The Jackson-Pratt is draining serosanguinous fluid Correct
Answers C
,A client has difficulty passing urine after surgery for the
correction of rectal prolapse. Which actions should the nurse
implement to help this client void? Select all that apply.
a) Perform early catheterization
b) Encourage immobility and bed rest
c) Pour warm water over perineum
d) Reassure the client of the ability to void
e) Help the client to attain a normal voiding position Correct
Answers C,D,E
A client inadvertently received a large amount of intravenous
fluid. On examination, the nurse finds that the client has reduced
oxygen saturation, crackles on auscultation, and infiltrates on
chest x-ray. Which actions should the nurse implement to help
relieve the client's breathing discomfort and promote oxygen
saturation? Select all that apply.
a) Restrict fluids
b) Administer diuretics
c) Administer oxygen therapy
d) Administer bronchodilators
e) Implement anticoagulant therapy Correct Answers A,B,C
A client is admitted to the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU)
after major colon surgery. During the initial assessment the
client says to the nurse "I am going to throw up". Which
statement by the nurse reflects a priority nursing intervention?
a) "I need to check your vital signs"
b) "Let me help you turn to your side"
c) "Here is a sip of ginger ale for you"
, d) "I can give you some anti-nausea medicine" Correct Answers
B
A client is having elective cosmetic surgery performed on the
face. The client will remain at the surgery centre for 24 hours
after surgery. Which goal is the nurse's postoperative priority for
this client?
a) Manage client pain
b) Control the bleeding
c) Maintain fluid balance
d) Manage oxygenation status Correct Answers D
A client is transferred to the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU)
after surgery. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority
initially?
a) Assess intake, output, and fluid balance
b) Assess airway, breathing, and circulation status
c) Note the presence of all IV lines and drainage catheters
d) Assess the surgical site and condition of the dressing Correct
Answers B
A client on the postoperative unit has shallow respirations. On
examination, the nurse finds the client to be hypoxemic. After
inquiry, it was discovered that the client was given a large dose
of opioids during the surgery. Which prescription should the
nurse expect to be prescribed to manage hypoxemia in this
client?
a) Opioids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Drugs to reverse the effects of opioids
d) Withhold mechanical ventilation Correct Answers C
