Question

A periop nurse is monitoring a patient under local anesthesia during a hernia repair when the patient reports a strange taste in the mouth. What is the most appropriate response by the periop nurse?

a) reassure patient that it is a common sensation and will resolve soon after surgery
b) check the patient's Hgb and Hct
c) ask the patient to confirm NPO status
d) call for help

Answer 1

The periop nurse should reassure the patient that the strange taste in the mouth is a common sensation associated with the use of local anesthetics and should resolve after the surgery, continuously monitoring for any adverse reactions.Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient reports a strange taste in the mouth during a hernia repair under local anesthesia, the most appropriate response by the periop nurse would be to reassure the patient that it is a common sensation and will resolve soon after surgery. This strange taste can occur due to the local anesthetic agent used during the procedure, which sometimes can create a metallic or unusual taste in the mouth. The nurse should monitor the patient for any signs of adverse reaction, but in most cases, this is a harmless and transient side effect. It is important for nursing staff to review the patient's airway and risk of aspiration prior to surgery, and ensure all equipment and assistance are available to manage any unexpected events related to anesthesia.