Chapter 19: Nursing Management: Intraoperative Care

Test Bank

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse educator facilitates student clinical experiences in the surgical suite. Which action,
if performed by a student, would require the nurse educator to intervene?
a. The student wears a mask at the sink area.
b. The student wears street clothes in the unrestricted area.
c. The student wears surgical scrubs in the semirestricted area.
d. The student covers head and facial hair in the semirestricted area.
ANS: C
The surgical suite is divided into three distinct areas: unrestrictedstaff and others in street
clothes can interact with those in surgical attire; semirestrictedstaff must wear surgical attire
and cover all head and facial hair; restrictedincludes the operating room, the sink area, and
clean core where masks are required in addition to surgical attire.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 333

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

2. Which statement, if made by a new circulating nurse, is appropriate?

a. I will assist in preparing the operating room for the patient.
b. I will remain gloved while performing activities in the sterile field.
c. I will assist with suturing of incisions and maintaining hemostasis as needed.
d. I must don full surgical attire and sterile gloves while obtaining items from the
unsterile field.
ANS: A
Preparing the operating room for the patient describes the role of a circulating nurse. All other
answer options describe specific types of scrub nurses. The circulating nurse performs
activities in the unsterile field and is not scrubbed, gowned, or gloved. The scrub nurse
follows the designated scrub procedure, is gowned and gloved in sterile attire, and performs
activities in the sterile field.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 335

TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

3. Which action best describes the role of the certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) on
the surgical care team?
a. Performs the same responsibilities as the anesthesiologist.
b. Releases or discharges patients from the postanesthesia care area.
c. Administers intraoperative anesthetics ordered by the anesthesiologist.
d. Manages a patients airway under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist.
ANS: B
A nurse anesthetist is a registered nurse who has graduated from an accredited nurse
anesthesia program (minimally a masters degree program) and successfully completed a
national certification examination to become a CRNA. The CRNA scope of practice includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
 1. Performing and documenting a preanesthetic assessment and evaluation
2. Developing and implementing a plan for delivering anesthesia
3. Selecting and initiating the planned anesthetic technique
4. Selecting, obtaining, and administering the anesthesia, adjuvant drugs, and fluids
5. Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate noninvasive and invasive monitoring
devices
6. Managing a patients airway and pulmonary status
7. Managing emergence and recovery from anesthesia
8. Releasing or discharging patients from a postanesthesia care area

DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 336

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

4. Which action best describes how the scrub nurse maintains aseptic technique during surgery?
a. Uses waterproof shoe covers
b. Wears personal protective equipment
c. Insists that all operating room (OR) staff perform a surgical scrub
d. Changes gloves after touching the upper arm of the surgeons gown
ANS: D
The sleeves of a sterile surgical gown are considered sterile only to 2 inches above the elbows,
so touching the surgeons upper arm would contaminate the nurses gloves. Shoe covers are
not sterile. Personal protective equipment is designed to protect caregivers, not the patient,
and is not part of aseptic technique. Staff members such as the circulating nurse do not have to
perform a surgical scrub before entering the OR.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 338

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

5. Which action most effectively demonstrates that a new staff member understands the role of
scrub nurse?
a. Documents all patient care accurately
b. Labels all specimens to send to the lab
c. Keeps both hands above the operating table level
d. Takes the patient to the postanesthesia recovery area
ANS: C
The scrub nurse role includes maintaining asepsis in the operating field. The other actions
would be performed by the circulating nurse.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 338

TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

6. Which data identified during the perioperative assessment alert the nurse that special
protection techniques should be implemented during surgery?
a. Stated allergy to cats and dogs
b. History of spinal and hip arthritis
c. Verbalization of anxiety by the patient
d. Having a sip of water 3 hours previously
ANS: B
 The patient with arthritis may require special positioning to avoid injury and postoperative
discomfort. Preoperative anxiety (unless severe) and having a sip of water 3 hours before
surgery are not contraindications to having surgery. An allergy to cats and dogs will not
impact the care needed during the intraoperative phase.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 345

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

7. A patient scheduled to undergo total knee replacement surgery under general anesthesia asks
the nurse, Will the doctor put me to sleep with a mask over my face? Which response by the
nurse is most appropriate?
a. A drug may be given to you through your IV line first. I will check with the
anesthesia care provider.
b. Only your surgeon can tell you for sure what method of anesthesia will be used.
Should I ask your surgeon?
c. General anesthesia is now given by injecting medication into your veins, so you
will not need a mask over your face.
d. Masks are not used anymore for anesthesia. A tube will be inserted into your
throat to deliver a gas that will put you to sleep.
ANS: A
Routine general anesthesia is usually induced by the IV route with a hypnotic, anxiolytic, or
dissociative agent. However, general anesthesia may be induced by IV or by inhalation. The
nurse should consult with the anesthesia care provider to determine the method selected for
this patient. The anesthesia care provider will select the method of anesthesia, not the surgeon.
Inhalation agents may be given through an endotracheal tube or a laryngeal mask airway.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 341

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

8. A patient received inhalation anesthesia during surgery. Postoperatively the nurse should
monitor the patient for which complication?
a.Tachypnea
b.Myoclonus
c.Hypertension
d.Laryngospasm
ANS: D
Possible complications of inhalation anesthetics include coughing, laryngospasm, and
increased secretions. Hypertension and tachypnea are not associated with general anesthetics.
Myoclonus may occur with nonbarbiturate hypnotics but not with the inhalation agents.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 341

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

9. Which action should the perioperative nurse take to best protect the patient from burn injury
during surgery?
a. Ensure correct placement of the grounding pad.
b. Check all emergency sprinklers in the operating room.
c. Verify that a fire extinguisher is available during surgery.
d. Confirm that all electrosurgical equipment has been properly serviced.
 ANS: A
Care must be taken to correctly place the grounding pad and all electrosurgical equipment to
prevent injury from burns or fire. It is important to ensure that fire extinguishers are available
and that sprinklers protect everyone in the operating room in the event of a fire, but placing
the grounding pad will best prevent injury to the patient. Verifying that electrosurgical
equipment works properly does not protect the patient unless all equipment and the grounding
pad is placed correctly.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 339

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

10. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is going to be used for a closed, manual reduction of a
dislocated shoulder. What action does the nurse anticipate?
a. Securing an airtight fit for the inhalation mask
b. Starting a 20-gauge IV in the patients unaffected arm
c. Obtaining a nonocclusive dressing to place over the administration site
d. Teaching the patient about epidural patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA) use
ANS: B
For MAC, IV sedatives, such as the benzodiazepines, are administered. Therefore the patient
needs IV access. Inhaled, epidural, and topical agents are not included in MAC. An occlusive
dressing would be placed over a topical agent such as eutectic mixture of local anesthetics
(EMLA) cream.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 341

TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

11. Which action will the nurse take immediately after surgery for a patient who received
ketamine (Ketalar) as an anesthetic agent?
a. Administer higher doses of analgesic agents.
b. Ensure that atropine is available in case of bradycardia.
c. Question the order for benzodiazepines to be administered.
d. Provide a quiet environment in the postanesthesia care unit.
ANS: D
Hallucinations are an adverse effect associated with the dissociative anesthetics such as
ketamine. Therefore the postoperative environment should be kept quiet to decrease the risk of
hallucinations. Because ketamine causes profound analgesia lasting into the postoperative
period, higher doses of analgesics are not needed. Ketamine causes an increase in heart rate.
Benzodiazepine may be used with ketamine to decrease the incidence of hallucinations and
nightmares.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 342-343

TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

12. While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high fever after
surgery. What action by the nurse is a priority?
a. Place a medical alert sticker on the front of the patients chart.
b. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family members reaction to surgery.
c. Reassure the patient that there will be close monitoring during and after surgery.
d. Administer 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per rectum as a preventive
 measure.
ANS: B
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) needs to be notified and made aware of the patients
family history in regards to anesthesia reactions. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a valid
concern because the patients father appears to have had a reaction to surgery. The ACP needs
to be notified immediately, rather than waiting for a sticker to be noticed on the chart.
Administering acetaminophen may not prevent MH. General anesthesia can be administered
to patients with MH as long as precautions to avoid MH are taken and preparations are made
to treat MH if it does occur.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 346

OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

13. A patient in surgery receives a neuromuscular blocking agent as an adjunct to general

anesthesia. While in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), what assessment finding is most
important for the nurse to report?
a. Laryngospasm
b. Complaint of nausea
c. Weak chest wall movement
d. Patient unable to recall the correct date
ANS: C
The most serious adverse effect of the neuromuscular blocking agents is weakness of the
respiratory muscles, which can lead to postoperative hypoxemia. Nausea and confusion are
possible adverse effects of these drugs, but they are not as great of concern as respiratory
depression. Because these medications decrease muscle contraction, laryngospasm is not a
concern.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 344

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

14. A patient is being prepared for a spinal fusion. While in the holding area, which action by a
member of the surgical team requires rapid intervention by the charge nurse?
a.Wearing street clothes into the nursing station
b.Wearing a surgical mask into the holding room
c.Walking into the hallway outside an operating room without the hair covered
d.Putting on a surgical mask, cap, and scrubs before entering the operating room
ANS: C
The corridors outside the operating room (OR) are part of the semirestricted area where
personnel must wear surgical attire and head coverings. Surgical masks may be worn in the
holding room, although they are not necessary. Street clothes may be worn at the nursing
station, which is part of the unrestricted area. Wearing a mask and scrubs is essential when
going into the OR.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 333

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

15. Which nursing action should the operating room (OR) nurse manager delegate to the
registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) when caring for a surgical patient?
 a. Adjust the doses of administered anesthetics.
b. Make surgical incision and suture incisions as needed.
c. Coordinate transfer of the patient to the operating table.
d. Provide postoperative teaching about coughing to the patient.
ANS: B
The role of the RNFA includes skills such as making and suturing incisions and maintaining
hemostasis. The other actions should be delegated to other staff members such as the
circulating nurse, scrub nurse, or surgical technician. The anesthesia care provider should
adjust the doses of anesthetics for patients, not the RNFA.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 336

OBJ: Special Questions: Delegation TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

16. Which action included in the perioperative patient plan of care can the charge nurse delegate
to a surgical technologist?
a. Pass sterile instruments and supplies to the surgeon.
b. Teach the patient about what to expect in the operating room (OR).
c. Continuously monitor and interpret the patients echocardiogram (ECG) during
surgery.
d. Give the postoperative report to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse.
ANS: A
The education and certification for a surgical technologist includes the scrub and circulating
functions in the OR. Patient teaching, communication with other departments about a patients
condition, and the admission assessment require registered-nurse (RN) level education and
scope of practice. A surgical technologist is not usually trained to interpret ECG rhythms.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 335

OBJ: Special Questions: Delegation TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment

17. When caring for a patient who has received a general anesthetic, the circulating nurse notes
red, raised wheals on the patients 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 patients 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.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 346

TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which actions will the nurse include in the surgical time-out procedure before surgery (select
all that apply)?
a. Check for placement of IV lines.
b. Have the surgeon identify the patient.
c. Have the patient state name and date of birth.
d. Verify the patient identification band number.
e. Ask the patient to state the surgical procedure.
f. Confirm the hospital chart identification number.
ANS: C, D, E, F
These actions are included in surgical time out. IV line placement and identification of the
patient by the surgeon are not included in the surgical time-out procedure.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis) REF: 339

TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment