A 42-year-old female patient is scheduled for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy to treat a pituitary adenoma. During preoperative teaching, the nurse instructs the patient about the need to
a. cough and deep breathe every 2 hours postoperatively.
b. remain on bed rest for the first 48 hours after the surgery.
c. avoid brushing teeth for at least 10 days after the surgery.
d. be positioned flat with sandbags at the head postoperatively.
ANS: C
To avoid disruption of the suture line, the patient should avoid brushing the teeth for 10 days after surgery. It is not necessary to remain on bed rest after this surgery. Coughing is discouraged because it may cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the suture line. The head of the bed should be elevated 30 degrees to reduce pressure on the sella turcica and decrease the risk for headaches.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following are behavior assessment categories in the Broset Violence Checklist? (Select all that apply.)
1. Confusion 2. Paranoia 3. Boisterousness 4. Panic 5. Irritability
Why is vitamin K given by injection to the newborn?
a. Most mothers have a vitamin K deficiency that develops during pregnancy. b. Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K are not present in newborns. c. Vitamin K prevents the synthesis of prothrombin. d. The newborn does not store vitamin K.
The client is receiving frequent daily drug dosing of a drug that has a long duration of action. What should the nurse expect to be the result of this administration?
a. Drug accumulation and possible drug toxicity b. Increased drug excretion c. Enhanced therapeutic response d. Increased drug half-life
The dramatic and emotional cluster contains all EXCEPT which of the following personality disorders?
a. narcissistic b. dependent c. borderline d. antisocial