ATI LPN
Perioperative Nursing Care NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A postoperative client has an abdominal drain. What assessment by the nurse indicates that goals for the priority client problems are being met?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 2 of 5
What instruction is most appropriate for a client preparing for surgery?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who developed a pulmonary embolism after total knee surgery. The patient has been converted from heparin to sodium warfarin (Coumadin) anticoagulant therapy. What should the nurse teach the client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a patient transitioning to warfarin after a pulmonary embolism (PE), the nurse must clarify that anticoagulant therapy prevents new clot formation rather than dissolving existing clots, which thrombolytics might address. The typical duration for PE treatment is 3 to 6 months, depending on risk factors like provoked events (e.g., surgery), balancing prevention of recurrence against bleeding risk. Warfarin does not require aspirin (ASA) for efficacy; combining them increases bleeding risk without enhancing anticoagulation for PE. Vitamin K antagonizes warfarin's effect by promoting clotting factor synthesis, so it's contraindicated unless reversing overdose. Teaching the 3-6 month duration empowers the patient to adhere to therapy, monitor for bleeding, and follow up for INR checks, ensuring safe management of this potentially recurrent condition post-surgery.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient who has a 35 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. In light of this known risk factor for lung cancer, what statement should prompt the nurse to refer the patient for further assessment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A persistent cough in a patient with a 35 pack-year smoking history a strong lung cancer risk factor warrants urgent referral due to its association with early malignancy. Cough, often dismissed as smoker's cough or infection, is the most common presenting symptom of lung cancer, reflecting airway irritation or obstruction by a tumor. With 35 pack-years (e.g., 1 pack/day for 35 years), the patient's cumulative exposure heightens this likelihood, as smoking drives 85-90% of lung cancer cases. Reduced stamina, while concerning, is nonspecific, potentially linked to COPD or cardiovascular issues common in smokers. Frequent infections could suggest immune compromise or chronic lung damage, but not directly cancer. New allergies are unrelated to smoking or malignancy. The nurse's referral triggers timely diagnostics (e.g., chest X-ray, CT), critical for early detection in this high-risk individual, potentially improving prognosis.
Question 5 of 5
A patient who involved in a workplace accident suffered a penetrating wound of the chest that led to acute respiratory failure. What goal of treatment should the care team prioritize when planning this patients care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) from a penetrating chest wound likely causing pneumothorax or hemothorax disrupts ventilation and oxygenation, making restoration of adequate gas exchange the care team's priority. This goal addresses the underlying pathophysiology: air or blood in the pleural space collapses the lung, impairing oxygen uptake and CO2 elimination. Immediate interventions (e.g., chest tube, oxygen) aim to re-expand the lung and stabilize ABGs, preventing hypoxia and hypercapnia, which are life-threatening. Long-term intubation may result but isn't the initial focus resolving the cause often avoids it. Coping and self-management are secondary, relevant post-stabilization, as survival hinges on gas exchange. The nurse's role in monitoring respiratory status and supporting interventions (e.g., thoracostomy) aligns with this urgent, evidence-based priority in trauma-induced ARF.