The nurse is educating a client scheduled for elective surgery. The client currently takes aspirin daily. What education will the nurse provide regarding this medication?
Continue to take the aspirin as ordered.
Aspirin should be increased until 3 days before surgery, then discontinued until 3 days after surgery.
Stop taking the aspirin 7 days before the surgery, unless otherwise directed by the physician.
Take half doses of the aspirin until 1 week after surgery.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Continuing aspirin increases bleeding risk during surgery due to its antiplatelet effect, inhibiting clot formation for 7–10 days. This can lead to excessive intraoperative hemorrhage, making it an incorrect instruction, as stopping aspirin is standard to ensure hemostasis.
Choice B reason: Increasing aspirin heightens bleeding risk, as its antiplatelet effect persists for 7–10 days. Discontinuing only 3 days prior is insufficient, and resuming 3 days post-surgery risks bleeding, making this an incorrect and unsafe instruction for surgical preparation.
Choice C reason: Stopping aspirin 7 days before surgery is standard, as its antiplatelet effect lasts 7–10 days, reducing bleeding risk. This allows platelet function to normalize, preventing hemorrhage, making it the correct instruction, with physician guidance for conditions like cardiac stents.
Choice D reason: Taking half doses of aspirin does not mitigate its antiplatelet effect, which persists for 7–10 days, increasing surgical bleeding risk. This is insufficient to ensure hemostasis, making it an incorrect instruction compared to stopping aspirin 7 days prior for safer outcomes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Anxiety and restlessness indicate ineffective oxygen therapy, as they suggest persistent hypoxia or hypercapnia. The brain senses inadequate oxygenation, triggering a stress response, indicating the need for adjusted oxygen delivery or investigation into underlying respiratory issues, making this a sign of therapy failure.
Choice B reason: Pink, warm skin indicates adequate oxygenation and perfusion, suggesting effective oxygen therapy. Cyanosis or cool skin would signal hypoxia. This finding reflects successful correction of oxygen deficits, making it an incorrect choice for indicating ineffective therapy in this client with supplemental oxygen.
Choice C reason: A heart rate of 58 (bradycardia) is not a primary indicator of ineffective oxygen therapy. Severe hypoxia typically causes tachycardia, while bradycardia may reflect other issues like medication effects, not directly oxygen therapy failure, making it less relevant in this context.
Choice D reason: A respiratory rate of 36 (tachypnea) indicates ineffective oxygen therapy, as rapid breathing reflects the body’s attempt to compensate for hypoxia or hypercapnia. This suggests insufficient oxygen delivery, requiring adjustment of oxygen flow or evaluation for respiratory issues, marking therapy failure.
Choice E reason: Use of accessory muscles indicates ineffective oxygen therapy, reflecting increased work of breathing due to persistent hypoxia or airway obstruction. Muscles like the sternocleidomastoid are recruited when primary respiratory muscles fail to maintain adequate oxygenation, signaling the need for immediate intervention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A sodium level of 121 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia, risking seizures due to cerebral edema from low osmolality. Seizure precautions (e.g., padded rails, anticonvulsants) protect from injury during potential seizures, making this the priority to ensure safety before correcting sodium levels.
Choice B reason: Educating on high-sodium foods is a long-term strategy for hyponatremia but not the priority. Severe hyponatremia (121 mEq/L) risks seizures, requiring immediate protective measures like seizure precautions over dietary education, which addresses chronic management rather than acute neurological risks.
Choice C reason: Administering 3% sodium chloride corrects hyponatremia but is not the first priority. Rapid correction risks osmotic demyelination, and seizure precautions are needed to protect against cerebral edema-induced seizures, a more immediate risk in severe hyponatremia, before initiating sodium therapy.
Choice D reason: A 1-liter-per-day fluid restriction addresses fluid overload in hyponatremia but is secondary to seizure precautions. Severe hyponatremia (121 mEq/L) risks neurological complications like seizures, making immediate safety measures the priority over fluid restriction, which is a slower corrective strategy.
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