The nurse is caring for a client who is having surgery and is currentl

The nurse is caring for a client who is having surgery and is currently being transported to the operating room suite. The nurse should document that the client is in which operative phase?

1. Preoperative phase
2. Intraoperative phase
3. Postoperative phase
4. Perioperative phase

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The preoperative phase begins when the decision to have surgery is made and ends when the client is transferred to the operating table.
Rationale 2: The intraoperative phase begins when the client is transferred to the operating table and ends when the client is admitted to the PACU.
Rationale 3: The postoperative phase begins with the admission of the client to the postanesthesia area and ends when healing is complete.
Rationale 4: There is not a specific perioperative phase of surgical care. Perioperative care consists of three phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative.