ATI LPN
Perioperative Care Practice Questions Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which is the top priority for nurses during the perioperative period?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety is the top priority for nurses during the perioperative period because it encompasses the prevention of harm and ensures the patient's well-being throughout the surgical process. While patient teaching, diagnostic testing, and documentation are important aspects of care, they are secondary to maintaining a safe environment. Safety includes preventing infections, ensuring proper identification, and avoiding errors such as wrong-site surgery. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) and Joint Commission standards emphasize safety as the foundation of perioperative nursing, making it the nurse's primary focus. For example, marking the operative site and verifying patient identity are critical safety measures that take precedence over teaching or documentation, which can be addressed once safety is assured. This prioritization aligns with the nursing principle of 'do no harm,' ensuring the patient's physical and emotional security during a vulnerable time.
Question 2 of 5
Which interventions must the operating room (OR) nurses provide for patient physiological integrity during the intraoperative period? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OR nurses ensure physiological integrity by monitoring airway, vital signs, ECG, and oxygen saturation , applying padding , and assessing skin . Communicating fears is preoperative. The rationale focuses on real-time safety: monitoring detects hypoxia or dysrhythmias, padding prevents pressure injuries, and skin checks document baseline status. These actions maintain homeostasis during anesthesia, aligning with nursing's vigilance, contrasting with emotional support tasks better suited pre-surgery.
Question 3 of 5
What techniques are essential to performing a proper surgical scrub of the hands by the surgeon, assistants, and scrub nurse? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Essential surgical scrub techniques include using a broad-spectrum antimicrobial , holding hands higher than elbows , and scrubbing 3-5 minutes (choice E, not listed). Two-minute scrubs are insufficient; alcohol-based solutions are alternatives, not primary. The rationale ensures sterility: broad-spectrum agents kill pathogens, elevated hands prevent recontamination, and 3-5 minutes ensures thoroughness per guidelines (e.g., AORN). Nursing adheres to this, reducing infection risk, distinct from shorter or less effective methods.
Question 4 of 5
Which description illustrates the beginning of the postoperative period?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The postoperative period begins with completion of surgery and transfer to the PACU , marking recovery onset. Arousal in OR , preoperative planning , and closure are earlier. The rationale defines timing: postoperative care starts post-procedure, focusing on stabilization in PACU, distinct from intraoperative or preoperative phases. Nursing shifts to monitoring and intervention, ensuring smooth transition, critical for recovery initiation.
Question 5 of 5
A patient arrives in the PACU. Which action does the nurse perform first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse first assesses airway and gas exchange , per ABCs. Pain rating , positioning , and PCA follow. The rationale prioritizes survival: post-anesthesia, airway obstruction or hypoxia (e.g., from sedation) is immediate risk. Nursing ensures breathing before addressing comfort or meds, aligning with critical care principles, distinct from secondary tasks.