A nurse is monitoring a patient who had general anesthesia for a hernia repair. Which of the following findings indicate that the patient is at risk for hypothermia? (Select all that apply.)
Shivering.
Tachycardia.
Pallor.
Diaphoresis.
Hypotension.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A reason:
Shivering is a sign of hypothermia because it is the body's way of generating heat when the core temperature drops below normal. Shivering can be uncontrollable in mild hypothermia and may stop in moderate to severe hypothermia as the body conserves energy.
Choice B reason:
Tachycardia is not a sign of hypothermia. In fact, hypothermia can cause bradycardia, which is a slow heart rate, as the body tries to reduce heat loss through the blood vessels.
Choice C reason:
Pallor is a sign of hypothermia because it indicates reduced blood flow to the skin as the blood vessels constrict to preserve core temperature. Pallor can also be accompanied by cyanosis, which is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood.
Choice D reason:
Diaphoresis is a sign of hypothermia because it is the result of excessive sweating that can occur after exposure to cold or wet environments. Sweating can increase heat loss through evaporation and lower the body temperature further.
Choice E reason:
Hypotension is a sign of hypothermia because it reflects decreased cardiac output and blood pressure as the heart muscle becomes less efficient and responsive to stimuli. Hypotension can also lead to shock, organ failure, and death if not treated promptly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The nurse should call for assistance and stay with the client because the client is likely experiencing wound evisceration, which is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Wound evisceration is the protrusion of bowel through an abdominal incision, and it can occur 4 to 5 days postoperatively following an increase in strain on the incision, such as from turning, coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. Clients often report feeling something has "popped”. or opened in the wound, followed by severe pain and a sensation of wetness. The nurse should not leave the client alone or attempt to reinsert the bowel.
Choice B reason:
The nurse should not remove the dressing to assess the wound because this could increase the risk of infection and further injury to the wound. The nurse should cover the wound with a nonadherent dressing moistened with warm sterile normal saline to protect the wound from contamination and drying. Removing the dressing could also cause more pain and bleeding to the client.
Choice C reason:
The nurse should not cover the wound with sterile towels soaked in sterile saline because this could cause maceration of the skin and increase the risk of infection. The nurse should use a nonadherent dressing moistened with warm sterile normal saline to prevent adherence to the wound and allow for drainage. Sterile towels could also be too bulky and heavy for the wound.
Choice D reason:
The nurse should not assess vital signs as the first action because this would delay the urgent care needed for the client. The nurse should call for assistance and stay with the client while covering the wound with a nonadherent dressing moistened with warm sterile normal saline. Assessing vital signs can be done after securing help and stabilizing the wound. Vital signs may show signs of shock, such as hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and pallor. A) Call for assistance and stay with client. B) Remove dressing to assess wound. C) Cover wound with sterile towels soaked in sterile saline. D) Assess vital signs.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Removing dentures, glasses, contact lenses, jewelry and nail polish is part of the physical preparation of the client before surgery. These items can interfere with the anesthesia, cause injury, or be lost during the procedure.
Choice B reason:
Administering a sedative or anxiolytic medication as prescribed is part of the preoperative medication of the client before surgery. These medications can help reduce anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting, and facilitate induction of anesthesia.
Choice C reason:
Marking the surgical site with an indelible marker is part of the patient identification and verification process before surgery. This helps prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure, or wrong-person surgery by ensuring that the correct site is marked and confirmed by the client, surgeon, and nurse.
Choice D reason:
All of the above. All of these items should be completed before transferring the client to the operating room as part of the preoperative checklist. The checklist ensures that necessary documentation, admission assessment, physical preparation, and client education have been completed before the client enters the surgical suite.
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