Important multiple choice questions related to Operation theatre nursing
Operation Theatre Nursing:
Nurses' roles and responsibilities in the Operation Theatre.
1. Pre-operative Responsibilities:
- Review the patient's medical history, including allergies, medications, and previous surgeries.
- Verify the patient's identity, surgical site, and consent for the procedure.
- Assess the patient's physical and emotional readiness for surgery.
- Prepare the environment, ensuring sterility, adequate lighting, and appropriate room temperature.
- Set up and check all necessary equipment, instruments, and supplies for the surgery.
- Administer pre-operative medications as ordered, including anesthesia induction agents.
- Ensure the availability of blood products, if required.
- Communicate with the surgical team to confirm the surgical plan and any special considerations.
2. Patient Preparation and Advocacy:
- Provide emotional support and education to the patient and their family, explaining the surgical process, risks, and expected outcomes.
- Assist the patient with pre-operative procedures such as IV insertion, urinary catheterization, and skin preparation.
- Verify that the surgical site is marked correctly and visible to all team members.
- Position the patient on the operating table safely and comfortably, taking precautions to prevent pressure ulcers or nerve injury.
- Ensure the patient's dignity and privacy are respected at all times.
3. Responsibilities during surgery:
- Maintain a sterile field throughout the surgery by adhering to strict aseptic techniques.
- Hand sterile instruments and supplies to the surgical team as needed.
- Anticipate the surgeon's requests and provide instruments and equipment promptly.
- Monitor the patient's vital signs, anesthesia depth, and fluid balance, promptly reporting any abnormalities.
- Document the details of the surgery, including instrument counts and specimens taken.
- Assist with wound closure, apply dressings, and ensure proper labeling of specimens.
- Address any unexpected events or complications during surgery.
- Administer medications as required, including antibiotics and anesthesia adjuncts.
4. Post-operative Responsibilities:
- Transfer the patient to the recovery area from the OT table.
- Continuously monitor the patient's vital signs, oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and pain.
- Administer post-operative medications and initiate pain management as per the surgeon's orders.
- Monitor and manage post-operative complications such as bleeding, respiratory distress, or cardiac events.
- Provide post-operative education to the patient and family regarding care instructions, potential complications, and discharge planning.
- Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure a smooth recovery and transfer to a hospital room if necessary.
5. Documentation and Recording:
- Maintain detailed and accurate records of the surgical procedure, medications administered, and the patient's condition.
- Document any unexpected events or complications during surgery and their management.
- Complete surgical counts of instruments, sponges, and needles before and after the procedure.
6. Infection Control:
- Strictly adhere to infection control protocols, including hand hygiene, gowning, gloving, and maintaining a sterile field.
- Implement measures to prevent surgical site infections by following evidence-based practices.
- Monitor and report any breaches in aseptic technique.
7. Communication and Teamwork:
- Foster effective communication and collaboration with the surgical team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technologists.
- Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and be prepared to assist during critical moments.
- Communicate any changes in the patient's condition promptly to the surgical team and anesthesia providers.
8. Continual Education and Training:
- Stay current with the latest surgical techniques, technologies, and best practices through ongoing education and professional development.
- Participate in regular training and drills related to emergencies in the Operation Theatre.
MCQs
1. A patient is scheduled for abdominal surgery in the morning. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to take regarding the patient's preoperative medications?
(A) Administer them as usual with a small sip of water.
(B) Hold all medications until after surgery.
(C) Administer them intramuscularly instead of orally.
(D) Ask the surgeon for medication orders.
Ans. (A) Administer them as usual with a small sip of water.
Rationale: It is generally appropriate to administer preoperative medications with a small sip of water, as long as it is allowed by the surgeon's orders. Medications should not be held without specific instructions from the surgical team.
2. The circulating nurse is responsible for:
(A) Assisting with the surgery itself.
(B) Sterile instrument setup and handling.
(C) Maintaining the sterile field.
(D) Coordinating activities in the operating room.
Ans. (D) Coordinating activities in the operating room.
Rationale: The circulating nurse is responsible for coordinating activities, ensuring safety, and providing non-sterile supplies and support to the surgical team.
3. A patient is experiencing a latex allergy. Which of the following items should the nurse avoid using during surgery?
(A) Sterile gauze pads
(B) Latex gloves
(C) Surgical drapes
(D) Stainless steel instruments
Ans. (B) Latex gloves
Rationale: Patients with latex allergies can have severe reactions, and latex gloves should be avoided. Alternatives like latex-free gloves should be used instead.
4. During surgery, the patient's blood pressure drops significantly. What is the nurse's immediate action?
(A) Document the drop and continue to monitor.
(B) Notify the surgeon.
(C) Administer a bolus of intravenous fluids as ordered.
(D) Increase the depth of anesthesia.
Ans. (C) Administer a bolus of intravenous fluids as ordered.
Rationale: A significant drop in blood pressure during surgery may indicate hypovolemia, and administering IV fluids as ordered can help stabilize the patient. The surgeon should be notified, but immediate action to address the hypotension is crucial.
5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of surgical hand scrubbing for the surgical team?
(A) To prevent skin irritation
(B) To remove transient bacteria
(C) To ensure a comfortable experience
(D) To maintain hand warmth
Ans. (B) To remove transient bacteria
Rationale: The primary purpose of surgical hand scrubbing is to remove transient bacteria from the hands and forearms to reduce the risk of surgical site infections.
6. When positioning a patient for surgery, which principle should the nurse prioritize?
(A) Surgeon's preference
(B) Patient's comfort
(C) Anesthesia provider's choice
(D) Surgical access and safety
Ans. (D) Surgical access and safety
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize patient safety and surgical access when positioning the patient, following the surgeon's guidance, and ensuring proper alignment.
7. Which of the following actions is essential during the surgical time-out?
(A) A break for the surgical team
(B) Reviewing unrelated medical topics
(C) Confirming patient identity, surgical site, and procedure
(D) Sterilizing instruments
Ans. (C) Confirming patient identity, surgical site, and procedure
Rationale: The surgical time-out is a critical step to ensure patient safety by confirming essential details, including patient identity, surgical site, and procedure before surgery begins.
8. The surgical site should be prepared using which solution?
(A) Alcohol
(B) Betadine
(C) Hydrogen peroxide
(D) Normal saline
Ans. (B) Betadine
Rationale: Betadine (povidone-iodine) is commonly used for surgical site preparation as an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
8. Which of the following statements is true regarding surgical attire?
(A) Surgical masks are optional for the surgical team.
(B) Scrub attire should be changed daily.
(C) Personal eyeglasses can be worn instead of surgical loupes.
(D) Jewelry, including rings, can be worn during surgery.
Ans. (B) Scrub attire should be changed daily.
Rationale: Surgical attire, including scrubs, should be changed daily to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of contamination.
9. A patient undergoing surgery requires general anesthesia. What is the primary role of the nurse during the induction of anesthesia?
(A) Assisting with intubation
(B) Administering surgical instruments
(C) Monitoring the sterile field
(D) Documenting surgical counts
Ans. (A) Assisting with intubation
Rationale: During induction of anesthesia, the nurse may assist with intubation by the anesthesia provider to ensure proper airway management.
10. A patient is being prepared for surgery. The nurse knows that the surgical scrub should be performed for at least:
(A) 1 minute
(B) 2 minutes
(C) 3 minutes
(D) 5 minutes
Ans. (B) 2 minutes
Rationale: A surgical scrub should be performed for a minimum of 2 minutes to ensure the effective removal of microorganisms from the hands and forearms.