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 D
Explanation
A) Gradual onset of several hours:
Hemorrhagic strokes, particularly those caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, typically present with sudden onset of symptoms rather than a gradual onset. The symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke generally occur immediately or within minutes after the rupture.
B) Maintains consciousness:
While some patients may remain conscious initially after a cerebral aneurysm rupture, it is common for individuals with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm to experience loss of consciousness, or at least a decreased level of consciousness. The rupture causes an increase in intracranial pressure and often results in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and confusion, and may progress to coma or unresponsiveness.
C) Neurologic deficits resolved in 1 hour:
In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, neurologic deficits do not typically resolve quickly, particularly after the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Neurological deficits associated with hemorrhagic strokes may include hemiparesis, aphasia, visual disturbances, and confusion. The concept of deficits resolving within 1 hour is more indicative of a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
D) Complaints of the "worst headache of my life":
One of the classic and most characteristic symptoms of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (leading to hemorrhagic stroke) is a severe headache, often described by the patient as the "worst headache of my life." This sudden and intense headache occurs due to the bleeding into the subarachnoid space from the aneurysm rupture, which irritates the meninges and causes intense pain.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Maintaining strict bedrest for first 24 hours:
While bedrest is often recommended in the early stages following a myocardial infarction (MI), the priority nursing intervention is to reduce oxygen demand on the heart, which can be achieved through pain management and controlling the workload on the heart, rather than solely relying on bedrest. Bedrest alone may not address the underlying physiological needs of the heart, such as reducing ischemia or controlling pain.
B) Measuring urine output hourly and performing daily weights:
Monitoring urine output and performing daily weights are important in managing fluid balance, especially for those with heart failure or volume overload. However, in the acute phase of an anterior wall myocardial infarction, the priority intervention is addressing the oxygen demand on the heart and providing pain relief, which is more immediate in stabilizing the client and reducing myocardial injury.
C) Keeping the environment quiet to decrease cardiac workload:
While creating a calm and quiet environment helps in reducing stress and decreasing cardiac workload, it is still secondary to actively managing the oxygen demand of the heart. Decreasing the workload of the heart is essential, but this is done more effectively through interventions such as pain management, oxygen therapy, and medications that reduce myocardial oxygen demand (e.g., nitroglycerin, beta-blockers).
D) Reducing oxygen demand and providing pain control:
This is the highest priority intervention for a client who has suffered an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Pain from an MI increases the heart's oxygen demand and can exacerbate ischemia. Pain relief, often with morphine, not only reduces pain but also helps in vasodilation, reducing the heart's workload. Additionally, oxygen therapy should be given to ensure adequate oxygenation, and medications like beta-blockers, nitroglycerin, and ACE inhibitors are used to reduce the workload of the heart.
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