ATI LPN
Perioperative Care Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is very sleepy following general anesthesia and administration of pain medication. The nurse notes that the patient is making snoring sounds and his pulse oximetry has dropped to 88%. What is the best action of the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assess the airway and administer oxygen,' as snoring and 88% oximetry indicate airway obstruction from sedation an urgent issue. Assessing airway patency (e.g., repositioning jaw) and giving oxygen address hypoxia immediately, per ABC priorities. 'Reintubate' (B) is premature without initial assessment and oxygen trial. 'Remove pillow' (C) or 'elevate bed' (D) may help but won't fully resolve obstruction or low oxygen. In nursing, prompt airway management prevents respiratory arrest; A aligns with NCLEX Reduction of Risk Potential, emphasizing vital sign abnormalities over secondary adjustments.
Question 2 of 5
Which action most effectively demonstrates that a new staff member understands the role of scrub nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keeps both hands above the operating table level,' as it shows the scrub nurse's role in maintaining sterile field asepsis hands below table level risk contamination. 'Documents care' (A), 'labels specimens' (B), and 'transports patient' (D) are circulating nurse tasks, not sterile field duties. In nursing, role-specific actions ensure OR safety; C aligns with NCLEX Safe and Effective Care Environment, reflecting sterile technique mastery over unsterile responsibilities.
Question 3 of 5
When caring for a patient who has received a general anesthetic, the circulating nurse notes red, raised wheals on the patient's arms. Which action should the nurse take immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Notify the anesthesia care practitioner (ACP) immediately,' as wheals suggest an allergic or anaphylactic reaction to anesthesia potentially life-threatening, requiring urgent ACP intervention. 'Lotion' (A) and 'drapes' (B) don't address the cause. 'Recheck later' (C) delays care. In nursing, rapid response to allergic signs is critical; D aligns with NCLEX Physiological Integrity, prioritizing emergency action over observation or palliation.
Question 4 of 5
Which nursing action is appropriate when providing care to a patient who is difficult to arouse in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hold prescribed opioid analgesics,' as opioids can depress respiration and consciousness holding them may reverse unarousability. 'Breath sounds' (A) assess, not treat. 'Heparin' (B) is for clotting, irrelevant. 'Malignant hyperthermia' (D) involves fever, not primary here. In nursing, adjusting opioids prevents oversedation; C aligns with NCLEX Perioperative, targeting reversible causes.
Question 5 of 5
Which classification should the nurse document, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, for a patient who is diagnosed with a mild systemic disease?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 2,' as ASA 2 denotes a patient with mild systemic disease (e.g., controlled hypertension) per the American Society of Anesthesiologists posing minimal surgical risk. '3' (B) is severe disease. '4' (C) is life-threatening. '5' (D) is moribund. In nursing, accurate ASA classification informs anesthesia planning; A aligns with NCLEX Perioperative, reflecting risk assessment precision.