A. IV line patency: IV access is important for fluid and medication administration, but it is not the highest priority immediately postoperatively.

B. Urine output: Monitoring urine output is important for assessing kidney function and fluid balance, but airway management takes precedence.

C. Airway patency: The priority in the immediate postoperative period is maintaining a patent airway, as patients are at risk for respiratory complications such as obstruction, hypoxia, and aspiration due to anesthesia effects.

D. Wound drainage: Assessing wound drainage is necessary to monitor for excessive bleeding or infection, but it is not the top priority compared to airway patency.

A. "They'll improve your circulation to keep blood from pooling in your legs." Antiembolism stockings apply graduated compression, promoting venous return and preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by reducing blood stasis.

B. "They'll make it easier for you to do leg exercises after your surgery." Leg exercises help prevent DVT, but antiembolism stockings do not directly assist in performing them.

C. "They'll protect your legs and heels from skin breakdown." While stockings provide some skin protection, their primary function is to prevent venous stasis and embolism, not to prevent pressure ulcers.

D. "They'll help keep you warm immediately after your surgery." Stockings are not primarily designed for warmth; their main purpose is to prevent clot formation by improving circulation.

A. Allow the patient to be taken to surgery after notifying the circulating nurse. The patient should not proceed to surgery with an incorrect name on the consent form, even if the circulating nurse is informed.

B. Inform the surgeon of the error. While notifying the surgeon is important, the primary action is to obtain a corrected consent form.

C. Request a corrected consent form to be signed. A surgical consent form must be accurate. A new, correctly spelled form should be obtained before surgery to ensure legal and ethical compliance.

D. Have the new form attached to the old incorrect one and document it. Attaching a new form does not resolve the error; a corrected and properly signed form is required before surgery proceeds.

A. Irrigate the indwelling urinary catheter. There is no indication that the catheter is obstructed. Catheter irrigation should only be performed if there is a suspected blockage (e.g., absent urine output, blood clots).

B. Notify the surgeon of the findings. Urine output of less than 30 mL per hour is concerning for decreased renal perfusion, possibly due to hypovolemia or other postoperative complications. The provider should be notified for further evaluation and intervention.

C. Increase the flow rate of the IV for 10 to 15 minutes. Increasing IV fluids may help improve urine output, but it should only be done based on a provider’s order and after assessing the patient’s volume status.

D. Apply manual pressure to the patient's bladder. This action is inappropriate unless the patient has urinary retention, which should be confirmed through assessment before attempting bladder compression

A. Recovery care: Recovery is a component of postoperative care, but it does not encompass all aspects of care after surgery.

B. Postoperative care: Postoperative care begins after the patient leaves the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and continues until full recovery, including wound healing, pain management, and preventing complications.

C. PACU care: PACU care is a phase within postoperative care but does not represent the complete postoperative period.

D. Perioperative care: Perioperative care refers to the entire surgical experience (before, during, and after surgery), not just the final phase of recovery.

A. Not an acceptable signature. This is incorrect because an "X" is legally acceptable if properly witnessed.

B. Legal if it is witnessed. An "X" is a valid legal signature if a witness verifies that the patient understands and voluntarily consents to the procedure.

C. Required to be accompanied by a picture identification. Picture identification is not necessary for consent validity; the primary requirement is witnessing.

D. Acceptable if the surgeon is willing. Consent must meet legal standards, not just the surgeon’s approval. A witness is required for it to be valid.

A. To relieve pain or complications without curing. This describes palliative care, not perioperative care.

B. Voluntary. This does not define perioperative care; it relates to patient decision-making (e.g., elective surgery).

C. Own, originating within an individual. This describes something intrinsic (e.g., idiopathic conditions), not perioperative care.

D. Care from decision to have surgery through the recovery period. (Correct Answer) Perioperative care includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

A. When still conscious, participate in marking the surgical site. The surgical site marking should be done with patient participation before anesthesia to confirm accuracy and prevent wrong-site surgery.

B. Have a photograph of the surgical site in the medical record. Photographs are not a standard requirement for surgical verification.

C. Have the unit nurse confirm their identity. Identity confirmation is necessary but not sufficient to prevent wrong-site surgery. Marking the site is the key step.

D. Verbally state the location of the surgical site and the expected procedure. Verbal confirmation is important but should be combined with physical marking of the site to ensure accuracy.

General anesthesia involves the administration of inhaled or intravenous agents that induce unconsciousness, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Nerve blocks (spinal, caudal, epidural, and peripheral blocks) are forms of regional anesthesia, not general anesthesia.

A. Artificial body part. This describes a prosthesis, not an elective procedure.

B. Own, originating within an individual. This describes something intrinsic, such as idiopathic conditions, not elective surgery.

C. To relieve pain or complication without curing. This describes palliative care, not an elective procedure.

D. Voluntary. Elective procedures are planned in advance and performed at the patient’s choice rather than as an emergency (e.g., cosmetic surgery, knee replacement).