The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old female patient in the PACU. The woman begins to awaken and responds to her name, but is confused, restless, and agitated. What principle should guide the nurse's subsequent assessment?

Question

A) Postoperative confusion in older adults is an indication of impaired oxygenation or possibly a stroke during surgery.
B) Confusion, restlessness, and agitation are expected postoperative findings in older adults and they will diminish in time.
C) Postoperative confusion is common in the older adult patent, but it could also indicate a significant blood loss.
D) Confusion, restlessness, and agitation indicate an underlying cognitive deficit such as dementia.

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Postoperative confusion is common in the older adult patient, but it could also indicate blood loss and the potential for hypovolemic shock; it is a critical symptom for the nurse to identify. Despite being common, it is not considered to be an expected finding. Postoperative confusion is an indication of an oxygen problem or possibly a stroke during surgery, but blood loss is more likely. A new onset of confusion, restlessness, and agitation does not necessarily suggest an underlying cognitive disorder.