The client remains unconscious in the operating room while the nurse assesses the five-member team of people to move the client from the surgical table to a stretcher. Which is a suitable action for the nurse before the moving the client?

Question

1. Assign a specific role to each person for the transfer.
2. Instruct the surgeon to stand at the head of the client.
3. Suspend the IVs and Foley catheter from the stretcher.
4. Wrap client in a sheet to prevent injury to arms and legs

Answer 1

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1. The nurse effectively manages client safety by assigning specific roles to each person assisting with the client's transfer. Assigning roles increases the likelihood that participants receive clear expectations and fulfill critical tasks; if the client is not breathing spontaneously, airway maintenance is one of the critical responsibilities during the transfer in addition to successfully handling equipment, drains, and IV fluids and protecting the surgical site.
2. The nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist stands at the head of the bed to maintain the client's airway and direct medical care to the postanesthesia recovery room.
3. Suspending the Foley catheter from the stretcher is fine but, if the IVs are hung from the stretcher, blood will back up into the IV tubing and fluid will not infuse. This becomes a problem if the client needs the extra fluid volume.
4. The client needs close observation during the transfer; wrapping the client in a sheet obscures critical observations that can prevent accidents and injury to the client.