In the intraoperative phase, what is one of the key responsibilities of the LPN to ensure patient safety?
Participating in the surgical timeout to verify procedure details.
Administering anesthesia to the patient.
Documenting the amount of anesthetic used during surgery.
Deciding the temperature setting in the operating room.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Participating in the surgical timeout: The timeout is a critical safety protocol performed in the operating room before the first incision. The LPN, along with the entire surgical team, must verify the patient's identity, the correct surgical site, and the specific procedure to be performed. This prevents "wrong-site, wrong-procedure" errors.
B. Administering anesthesia: The administration and titration of general or regional anesthesia is a highly specialized task performed by an anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist. This responsibility falls outside the legal and clinical scope of practice for an LPN. The LPN provides supportive care rather than managing anesthesia.
C. Documenting the amount of anesthetic used: While documentation is a part of nursing, the primary record of anesthetic agents, dosages, and patient physiological responses is maintained by the anesthesia provider. The LPN may assist in general documentation but is not responsible for the technical anesthesia log. Their focus is on the surgical field.
D. Deciding the temperature setting: The environmental controls of the operating room, including temperature and humidity, are typically governed by facility protocols and the requirements of the surgical team. Decisions are based on patient thermoregulation needs and infection control standards. It is not an independent decision made by the LPN.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The client experiences drowsiness following mucolytic administration:Drowsiness is not a therapeutic goal of mucolytic therapy and may indicate a side effect or a different pharmacological interaction. Mucolytics like acetylcysteine are designed to alter the physical properties of mucus rather than induce sedation. This finding would be an adverse or unrelated outcome.
B. The client requires supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation:The need for supplemental oxygen suggests that gas exchange is severely compromised, possibly by worsening pulmonary congestion or inflammation. If a mucolytic were effective, airway patency should improve, potentially reducing the need for exogenous oxygen. This finding indicates clinical deterioration rather than success.
C. The client complains of persistent dry cough with scant mucus production:Mucolytics are intended to thin thick, tenacious secretions to make them easier to expectorate. A persistent dry cough suggests that secretions are either absent or remain too viscous to be moved. This outcome indicates the therapy has not achieved the desired liquefaction of mucus.
D. The client reports easier clearance of mucus and improved breathing:The primary mechanism of mucolytics is the cleavage of disulfide bonds in mucoproteins to reduce sputum viscosity. Successful treatment is evidenced by the patient's ability to mobilize and expel secretions with less effort. This directly leads to improved airway diameter and more efficient ventilation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. 50 gtt/min: This rate would deliver the 100 mL infusion in only 30 minutes, which is twice as fast as the prescribed rate. Rapid infusion of certain medications can lead to adverse effects or toxicity. Accurate calculation is essential when an electronic pump is not available.
B. 25 gtt/min: The manual drip rate is calculated by multiplying the total volume (100 mL) by the drop factor (15 gtt/mL) and dividing by the time in minutes (60 min). 1500 divided by 60 equals 25. This ensures the 100 mL is delivered precisely over the 1-hour period.
C. 75 gtt/min: This drip rate would result in the entire volume being infused in approximately 20 minutes. Such a high rate is incorrect for a 1-hour schedule and could cause fluid overload or infusion-related reactions. It significantly exceeds the required delivery speed of 1.67 mL per minute.
D. 60 gtt/min: Setting the rate to 60 drops per minute would infuse the medication in about 25 minutes. This does not align with the prescribed 1-hour duration for the 100 mL volume. Proper use of the drip factor formula prevents such timing errors in manual administration.
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