A nurse is assessing a patient who has just been admitted to the postsurgical unit following surgical resection for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. What assessment should the nurse prioritize?
Assess for signs of infection.
Assess for a patent airway.
Assess ability to clear oral secretions.
Assess for ability to communicate.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
While assessing for signs of infection is important, ensuring a patent airway takes precedence immediately following surgery.
Choice B reason:
This statement is correct. Assessing for a patent airway is the top priority in postoperative care to ensure the patient can breathe effectively.
Choice C reason:
Assessing the ability to clear oral secretions is important, but it is secondary to ensuring a patent airway.
Choice D reason:
Assessing the ability to communicate is important, but it is not the immediate priority after surgical resection for oropharyngeal cancer.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
After a Billroth I procedure, where the stomach is anastomosed directly to the duodenum, some patients may experience diarrhea and feelings of fullness due to the direct passage of food into the small intestine without the buffering effect of the pyloric valve.
Choice B reason:
Gastric reflux and belching are not typically associated with a Billroth I procedure.
Choice C reason:
Persistent feelings of hunger and thirst are not common adverse effects associated specifically with a Billroth I procedure.
Choice D reason:
Constipation or bowel incontinence are not typically associated with a Billroth I procedure, as this surgery involves the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can require surgery in some cases, but it is not a common link that defines both conditions.
Choice B reason:
This is the correct answer. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They share the common feature of chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
Choice C reason:
Fistula formation is more commonly associated with Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis. It is not a defining characteristic of both conditions.
Choice D reason:
Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum, but Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Therefore, both conditions do not necessarily begin in the rectum.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today