Preoperative Patient Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CNOR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Preoperative Patient Assessment flashcards as text
A patient scheduled for elective surgery reports taking warfarin daily. What is the perioperative nurse's priority action?
Answer: Notify the surgeon and anesthesia provider of the anticoagulant use
Anticoagulant use must be reported to the surgical team to allow appropriate management and reduce bleeding risk.
During preoperative assessment, the nurse notes the patient has a latex allergy. Which action is most appropriate?
Answer: Alert the entire surgical team and prepare a latex-free environment
A latex allergy requires preparation of a latex-free OR environment and notification of all team members to prevent anaphylaxis.
Which preoperative laboratory value would most concern the perioperative nurse in a patient scheduled for a major abdominal procedure?
Answer: Platelet count of 45,000/mm³
A platelet count of 45,000/mm³ is critically low and significantly increases the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage.
A patient states they last ate solid food 4 hours ago. The surgery is scheduled to begin in 30 minutes. What should the perioperative nurse do?
Answer: Notify the anesthesia provider immediately
NPO guidelines typically require 6-8 hours for solids; the anesthesia provider must be notified to determine if surgery should be delayed.
When assessing a patient's airway preoperatively, the nurse notes a Mallampati class IV. This finding suggests:
Answer: Potentially difficult intubation requiring advance planning
Mallampati class IV indicates minimal pharyngeal structures are visible, suggesting a potentially difficult airway for intubation.
A patient undergoing preoperative assessment has a history of sleep apnea but does not use their CPAP device. The nurse's priority is to:
Answer: Document the history and inform the anesthesia team
Sleep apnea significantly affects anesthetic management and respiratory monitoring; the anesthesia provider must be informed.
Which finding during preoperative skin assessment requires immediate communication to the surgeon before proceeding?
Answer: Redness, warmth, and exudate at the planned incision site
Signs of infection at the planned incision site may necessitate postponement to prevent surgical site infection.