Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What is a warning sign of excessive or unusual bleeding during surgery?

1. Persistent dizziness

2. Blood-stained drains

3. Increased heart rate

4. Hyperthermia

The correct answer is: Blood-stained drains

Blood-stained drains are a warning sign of excessive or unusual bleeding during surgery because they indicate active bleeding and the accumulation of blood that has surpassed the expected amount. Drains are used to remove fluid from the surgical site; when they show significant blood staining, it can suggest that there is more than normal bleeding occurring, possibly signaling a complication or the need for reassessment of hemostasis. In the context of surgical procedures, vigilance for signs of bleeding is vital, as it can lead to serious consequences if not appropriately addressed. The presence of blood in drains acts as a direct indicator of the situation that requires immediate attention from the surgical team. While persistent dizziness, increased heart rate, and hyperthermia may also indicate complications during or after surgery, they are not as directly related to assessing immediate surgical bleeding as blood-stained drains are. Dizziness might suggest reduced blood volume or anemia, increased heart rate can be a response to pain or distress, and hyperthermia often relates to infections rather than blood loss specifically.