The nurse is completing a preoperative assessment with a client. What

The nurse is completing a preoperative assessment with a client. What should this assessment include?

1. Current health status
2. Allergies
3. Current medications
4. Mental status
5. Respiratory rate

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Rationale 1: When documenting the current health status, essential information includes general health status and the presence of any chronic diseases that might affect the client’s response to surgery or anesthesia.
Rationale 2: When documenting allergies, the nurse should include allergies to prescription and nonprescription drugs, food allergies, and allergies to tape, latex, soaps, or antiseptic agents.
Rationale 3: All current medications should be listed. Herbal remedies and over-the-counter preparations are also a part of this assessment.
Rationale 4: The client’s current mental status is a part of this assessment.
Rationale 5: Respiratory rate is part of the physical assessment.