The nurse is obtaining preoperative information for a patient who will be having emergency surgery shortly for a ruptured appendix. Which information is crucial for the nurse to assess? (Select all that apply.)
a. All medications that the patient is taking
b. Use of tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs
c. Allergies to medications, foods, or other substances
d. Date of last tetanus shot and flu vaccination
e. Insurance coverage and preauthorization requirements
f.
Possibility of pregnancy
ANS: A, B, C, F
Priority assessment must be completed prior to emergency surgery, including use of medications, alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs because these may interact with anesthesia medications. Allergies must be identified to prevent reactions in the operating room. Special precautions may be taken if the patient is pregnant, so this must also be determined preoperatively. Asking the patient about vaccinations or insurance coverage is not a priority prior to surgery.
You might also like to view...
A 44-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes is brought to the emergency department with ketoacidosis. The nurse should immediately prepare to administer
a. subcutaneous insulin. b. intravenous normal saline in large quantities. c. dextrose 50% plus thiamine. d. glucagon.
A group of nursing students are reviewing information about childhood infectious diseases. The students demonstrate understanding of this information when they identify which of the following as a common childhood exanthema?
A) Mumps B) Rabies C) Rubella D) West Nile virus
The nurse is teaching parents of preschoolers about plants that are poisonous. What plant should the nurse include in the teaching session?
a. Azalea b. Begonia c. Boston fern d. Asparagus fern
What do smallpox, anthrax, and botulism toxin all have in common?
A) They have been eradicated by the use of vaccinations. B) They are all potential bioterrorism agents. C) They are easily treated with antibiotics. D) They are antibiotic-resistant pathogens.