ATI LPN
Perioperative Care Questions Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is receiving thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of pulmonary emboli. What is the best way for the nurse to assess the patients oxygenation status at the bedside?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring pulse oximetry is the best bedside method to assess oxygenation status during thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism (PE), providing real-time, noninvasive measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2). It reflects how effectively oxygen reaches the blood despite PE-induced ventilation-perfusion mismatch, guiding adjustments in oxygen therapy (e.g., aiming for SpO2 >90%). Serial arterial blood gases (ABGs) are precise but invasive, time-consuming, and not practical for continuous bedside use. Pulmonary function tests assess airway obstruction or restriction, not acute oxygenation, and are irrelevant here. Incentive spirometry measures inspiratory effort, aiding atelectasis prevention, not oxygenation. Pulse oximetry's immediacy and simplicity enable the nurse to detect hypoxemia promptly, ensuring timely intervention (e.g., increasing FiO2) as thrombolytics dissolve the clot, critical in this dynamic, high-risk scenario.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is having pulmonary-function studies performed. The patient performs a spirometry test, revealing an FEV1/FVC ratio of 60%. How should the nurse interpret this assessment finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An FEV1/FVC ratio of 60% below the normal threshold of 70% indicates obstructive lung disease on spirometry, reflecting reduced airflow from narrowed airways, as in COPD or asthma. FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) measures air expelled quickly, while FVC (forced vital capacity) is total air exhaled; a low ratio shows expiration is disproportionately impaired, typical of obstruction. Strong exercise tolerance contradicts this, requiring unimpeded airflow. Exhalation volume isn't ‘normal' the ratio signals restriction in speed, not capacity alone. Respiratory infection may worsen obstruction but isn't diagnosed by spirometry alone. The nurse's interpretation guides further assessment (e.g., bronchodilator response) and management (e.g., inhalers), aligning with pulmonary function standards for diagnosing obstructive pathology.
Question 3 of 5
A patients severe asthma has necessitated the use of a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA). Which of the patients statements suggests a need for further education?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A patient's statement about using a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA, e.g., salmeterol) ‘each time I feel an asthma attack coming on' signals a need for further education, as LABAs are for maintenance, not rescue. LABAs prevent bronchospasm over 12-24 hours, not acutely relieving symptoms that's the role of short-acting beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol). Misuse risks delaying effective treatment, worsening attacks. Tachycardia is a known side effect, correctly noted. LABAs do prevent exercise-induced asthma, a valid benefit. Tolerance (less effectiveness over time) can occur, a fair concern. The nurse must clarify LABA's prophylactic role twice-daily dosing versus rescue inhalers, ensuring the patient's action plan prevents severe exacerbations, per asthma management standards.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit who has undergone a left total knee arthroplasty. The anesthesia provider has indicated that the patient received a left femoral peripheral nerve block. Which assessment would be an expected finding for a patient with this type of regional block?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A left femoral peripheral nerve block, used in knee arthroplasty, targets the femoral nerve, numbing the anterior thigh, knee, and medial leg, so decreased sensation in the left leg is an expected finding. This regional anesthesia blocks sensory pathways, reducing postoperative pain in the targeted area without affecting systemic consciousness. Decreased pulse, cool toes, or cyanosis suggest vascular compromise, not nerve block effects, and would indicate complications like arterial injury. Pain in the left foot contradicts the block's purpose effective anesthesia should prevent this unless it's wearing off or incomplete. The nurse's assessment confirms the block's efficacy, ensuring pain control and monitoring for unintended motor or circulatory issues, per regional anesthesia standards.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse and the nursing assistant are caring for a group of postoperative patients who need turning, coughing, deep breathing, incentive spirometer, and leg exercises. The nurse directs the nursing assistant to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse delegates to the nursing assistant to inform if patients are unwilling to perform exercises, leveraging their scope to observe and report while retaining oversight for follow-up. Teaching and demonstrating exercises require nursing judgment, beyond the assistant's role. Documentation in the medical record is a nursing responsibility for legal accuracy. Doing nothing neglects patient care needs. This delegation ensures the nurse addresses barriers like pain or reluctance, maintaining exercise compliance to prevent complications like thrombosis or atelectasis, per collaborative care principles.