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Preoperative Care — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Consent + NPO before OR

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Preoperative Care on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Do

Nursing actions

Verify informed consent signed
NPO 6–8h before surgery
Mark site, verify ID + allergies

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Teach

Teaching points

Cough, deep breathe, incentive spiro
Leg exercises → prevent DVT

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Meds

Key numbers

Hold anticoagulants, metformin
Give pre-op antibiotics on time

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Report

Notify / act now

Consent not understood → notify
Abnormal labs / infection signs

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Quick Tip

Informed consent must be signed before any sedation is given and must be obtained by the surgeon, not the nurse; the nurse witnesses the signature and confirms understanding.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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