Question

An 18 year old patient is hesitant to remove her acrylic tongue piercing before an exploratory laparoscopy for a possible ruptured ovarian cyst. The most appropriate verbal response for the perioperative nurse to provide is

a) "You can always get another piercing if the opening for this one closes"
b) "If the piercing is dislodged while the breathing tube is put in, it could block your airway or be pushed into your lung"
c) "It's our policy that all jewelry be removed prior to surgery"
d) "Your tongue could be burned if you jewelry serves as an alternate ground for the electrocautery"

Answer 1

The best nurse response is to explain the risk of the piercing dislodging and causing airway obstruction during endotracheal intubation for an open airway. Correct option is b)

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate verbal response for the perioperative nurse to provide to an 18-year-old patient who is hesitant to remove her acrylic tongue piercing before surgery is, "If the piercing is dislodged while the breathing tube is put in, it could block your airway or be pushed into your lung." This answer not only addresses a concrete medical concern related to the anesthesia process but also stresses patient safety during endotracheal intubation, which is a common procedure during general anesthesia to maintain an open airway. The tongue and respiratory muscles are affected under anesthesia, and any loose object, such as a tongue piercing, presents a risk of airway obstruction or aspiration. The explanation should be delivered in a professional and empathetic manner to ensure that the patient understands the serious risks associated with keeping the piercing in during surgery.