The Operating Room (OR) nurse is preparing to give report to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse on a patient who has had surgery after suffering penetrating chest and abdominal trauma. What should the nurse include in the report? (Select All that Apply.)
Description of injury, vital signs during surgery, and current vital signs
Description of operative procedure and patient tolerance
Total intake and output (IV fluids, blood products, urine/chest tube output, blood loss)
Presence of the patients spiritual advisor and family
Medications administered during surgery and IV access sites
Correct Answer : A,B,C,E
A) Description of injury, vital signs during surgery, and current vital signs:
This information is crucial for the ICU nurse to understand the nature of the injury, how the patient responded during surgery, and their current hemodynamic status. Vital signs during surgery provide insight into the patient's cardiovascular stability and response to anesthesia, blood loss, and interventions. Current vital signs are important to monitor for any postoperative complications.
B) Description of operative procedure and patient tolerance:
The ICU nurse needs to know the details of the surgery performed, such as the type of trauma repair and any complications that may have occurred during the procedure. Understanding how the patient tolerated the surgery (e.g., any complications such as hypotension or arrhythmias) is important for planning post-operative care and anticipating potential issues in the ICU.
C) Total intake and output (IV fluids, blood products, urine/chest tube output, blood loss):
Tracking fluid balance is critical in trauma patients, especially those who have suffered significant blood loss. IV fluids, blood products, and other inputs (such as urine and chest tube output) provide vital information on the patient's circulatory status and renal function. Blood loss is also important to monitor, as it may need to be replaced, and fluid status affects the patient's recovery.
D) Presence of the patient's spiritual advisor and family:
Although family presence can be an important part of patient care, especially in a trauma situation, it is not essential information for the ICU nurse to receive during a report. While the ICU nurse may ask for family updates and visitor information, the focus of the report should be on the patient's clinical status and post-operative needs.
E) Medications administered during surgery and IV access sites:
The ICU nurse must know the medications administered during surgery, especially anesthesia agents, antibiotics, and analgesics, to understand their effects and anticipate any needed follow-up care, such as pain management or monitoring for adverse reactions. Knowing the IV access sites (e.g., central line, peripheral IV) is important for administering medications, fluids, and for monitoring potential complications related to vascular access.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Assess the patient's neurological status and repeat vital signs:
In patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at T1, autonomic dysreflexia or neurogenic shock can lead to unstable vital signs, including hypotension and bradycardia. The most immediate concern in this scenario is to determine if the patient is experiencing neurogenic shock, which can result from the loss of sympathetic nervous system function below the level of the injury. By assessing the patient’s neurological status (such as checking for changes in motor function, sensation, or level of consciousness) and repeating vital signs, the nurse can gather the necessary data to make informed decisions about further interventions.
B) Ask the patient care tech to check on the patient:
While the patient care tech can assist with tasks, this is not the priority action. The nurse must immediately assess the patient's condition, particularly given the vital sign changes and the potential for a life-threatening situation like neurogenic shock. The nurse's clinical judgment and expertise are required to evaluate the situation appropriately.
C) Place the client in reverse Trendelenburg position:
Placing the patient in reverse Trendelenburg may help with hypotension in certain situations, but it is not the priority intervention for someone with a spinal cord injury at T1. In cases of neurogenic shock or autonomic dysreflexia, positioning alone will not correct the underlying issue.
D) Administer intravenous (IV) fluids to increase cardiac output:
While IV fluids may be necessary to treat hypotension in some situations, the nurse must first assess the patient’s neurological status and repeat vital signs to determine the cause of the hypotension and bradycardia. Administering IV fluids without understanding the underlying cause could be inappropriate or even harmful, particularly if the low blood pressure is related to neurogenic shock, which requires careful management.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Monitoring the skin color and turgor:
While monitoring skin color and turgor is important in assessing fluid status and perfusion, it is not the immediate priority following an intracoronary stent insertion. Skin turgor is more useful in assessing dehydration or hypovolemia, but after a stent placement, the priority is to ensure the client is stable hemodynamically and there are no complications such as bleeding or thrombosis at the insertion site.
B) Monitoring the blood pressure every fifteen minutes:
Following an intracoronary stent insertion, it is crucial to monitor the client's blood pressure closely, as this procedure can lead to complications such as bleeding, clot formation, or vessel rupture. Monitoring blood pressure frequently (every 15 minutes initially) helps detect any signs of hypotension or hypertension that may indicate complications like bleeding or a clot.
C) Monitoring the cardiac enzymes every eight hours:
Cardiac enzymes, such as troponin, are typically used to assess myocardial injury and can be elevated in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. However, this is not the immediate priority post-procedure. The primary concern immediately after an intracoronary stent insertion is ensuring hemodynamic stability and preventing complications such as bleeding or thromboembolism, rather than focusing solely on enzyme levels.
D) Performing neurological checks every fifteen minutes:
Neurological checks are important in cases of stroke, neurological compromise, or complications like a clot dislodging. However, in the context of a patient who has just had an intracoronary stent placement, neurological checks are not the immediate priority unless there are signs of neurological symptoms (such as sudden weakness or confusion) that indicate a complication like an embolism or stroke.
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