A nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted into the surgical ward and was diagnosed with perforated appendix and is shifted to operation room for appendectomy.

A nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted into the surgical ward and was diagnosed with perforated appendix and is shifted to operation room for appendectomy.

The nurse understands that this procedure is classified as:
A . Urgent
B . Emergent
C . Elective
D . Required

View Answer

Answer: B

Explanation:

A perforated appendix is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention to prevent complications such as peritonitis and sepsis. Therefore, an appendectomy in this context is classified as an emergent procedure. Emergent surgeries are those that need to be performed without delay to preserve the patient’s life or health.

Reference: Smeltzer, S. C., Bare, B. G., Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010). Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.