The patient who had an emergency abdominal surgery looks at his incision on the first postoperative ...

The patient who had an emergency abdominal surgery looks at his incision on the first postoperative day and says, I sure hope this doesn't leave much of a scar. Is there some type of medicine or ointment I can put on it?
 
  What should the nurse consider prior to responding to that comment?
 
  1. This incision will heal by primary intention and will probably leave only a hairline scar.
  2. This incision will fill in with granulation tissue and leave a moderately big scar despite any medication applied.
  3. This incision was done in an emergent fashion but continuous application of steroid creams will prevent scarring.
  4. This incision will have to be reclosed later and will leave a large scar unless a topical antibiotic is used continuously.

Question 2

The nurse is changing the abdominal surgical dressing of an older patient who has developed pneumonia and a cough. Upon removing the dressing, the nurse notes the situation as pictured below. What should be the nurse's intervention?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Place saline moistened sterile dressing over the incision.
  2. Notify the patient's surgeon of the occurrence.
  3. Don sterile gloves and insert the loop of bowel back into the abdomen.
  4. Document the presence of a dehiscence in the medical record.
  5. Replace the dressing and ask the oncoming shift to advise the physician about the situation when rounds are made.

Question 3

While completing item number 4 in the preoperative preparation section of the form provided below, the nurse notes that the patient depends on a hearing aid. What action should the nurse take?
 
  1. Leave the device in the patient's ear and notify the OR nurse of its presence.
  2. Remove the device and place it in a denture cup in the patient's room.
  3. Remove the device and give it to the patient's family member.
  4. Place a piece of tape across the patient's ear and the device.

Question 4

The nurse takes the form identified below to a patient's room in preparation for an emergency surgical procedure. The patient states, Doc said he would tell me all about the surgery when he gets here. Do you know what they are going to do?
 
  What is the nurse's best response?
 
  1. Let's wait on signing this until your physician has talked to you.
  2. Let me go get a medical surgical textbook so I can use the pictures to explain the procedure.
  3. I am not certain; let me call the nursing supervisor to explain it to you.
  4. Go ahead and sign this so we will have that part done when the physician gets here.

Question 5

The patient who is preparing for surgery asks the nurse to keep his glasses and hearing aid in place until he is under anesthesia. Which nursing response demonstrates accurate therapeutic communication?
 
  1. I will contact the surgery department to discuss your requests.
  2. You cannot keep those in.
  3. The policies in the surgery unit will not allow it.
  4. Certainly, you can keep them for that time.

Question 6

After complaining of discomfort from a surgical procedure, the patient voices fear of addiction with taking analgesics as prescribed. What information should be provided to the patient regarding these concerns?
 
  1. Addiction to opioid analgesics is rare when used for short-term postoperative pain management.
  2. Psychological tolerance is not commonly experienced by patients who take narcotic analgesics during the postoperative experience.
  3. Pain tolerance and the need for opioid analgesics are individualized.
  4. Patients should be screened for addiction potential prior to being given narcotics.
  5. I'll turn the TV on to help distract you from your pain.