The nurse assesses the client for emergency surgery. Which should the nurse implement next?

Question

1. Finish the preoperative client preparation.
2. Complete a medical and psychosocial history.
3. Provide client with written instructions to review.
4. Ask client whether preoperative testing is completed.

Answer 1

1
1. The nurse efficiently finishes the client preparation for emergency surgery because client risk increases as time passes because emergency surgery frequently involves a life-sustaining (or tissue- or limb-saving) procedure.
2. If the client is able to talk, the nurse gathers selected data from the client including the medical history because comorbidities are important influences on the client's health and well-being; however, psychosocial details are of secondary importance when the client's life or limb are threatened.
3. Written instructions for the client are a low priority in an emergency.
4. The nurse prepares the client for emergency surgery; and, because the surgery is unplanned, preoperative testing is not performed except for those tests that can be completed on a stat basis.