When caring for a patient who has received a general anesthetic, the circulating nurse notes red, raised wheals on the patient's arms. Which action should the nurse take immediately?
a. Apply lotion to the affected areas.
b. Cover the arms with sterile drapes.
c. Recheck the patient's arms in 30 minutes.
d. Notify the anesthesia care practitioner (ACP) immediately.
ANS: D
The presence of wheals indicates a possible allergic or anaphylactic reaction, which may have been caused by latex or by medications administered as part of general anesthesia. Because general anesthesia may mask anaphylaxis, the nurse should report this to the ACP. The other actions are not appropriate at this time.
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