The nurse is caring for a patient in the postoperative period following an abdominal hysterectomy. The patient states, 'I don't want to use my pain meds because they'll make me dependent and I won't get better as fast.' Which response is most important when explaining the use of pain medication?

The nurse is caring for a patient in the postoperative period following an abdominal hysterectomy. The patient states, 'I don't want to use my pain meds because they'll make me dependent and I won't get better as fast.' Which response is most important when explaining the use of pain medication?

A 21-year-old patient is positioned on the OR bed prior to knee surgery to correct a sports-related injury. The anesthesiologist administers the appropriate anesthetic. The OR nurse should anticipate which of the following events as the team's next step in the care of this patient?

While the surgical patient is anesthetized, the scrub nurse hears a member of the surgical team make an inappropriate remark about the patient's weight. How should the nurse best respond?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled to have a needle biopsy of the pleura. The patient has had a consultation with the anesthesiologist and a conduction block will be used. Which local conduction block can be used to block the nerves leading to the chest?

The recovery room nurse is admitting a patient from the OR following the patient's successful splenectomy. What is the first assessment that the nurse should perform on this newly admitted patient?