Anesthesia case study

Hey Nurses, Im currently enrolled in Pharmacology (just started). I got this case study to do but im clueless. Can someone help me please. Thanks muchly.

Mr. Smith is a 65 year old male with a history of lung cancer. He is 5’8’’, and weighs 240 pounds. He currently has a productive cough, and admits to smoking for 40 years. He has a history of lung cancer, and hypertension, which is treated with a mild diuretic. He is presently admitted to the hospital to await surgery for a thoracotomy at 1000 today.


1. Mr. Smith’s daughter asks you why her dad is getting a medication before his thoracotomy surgery. The doctor has ordered meperidine HCl (Demerol) 50 mg IM and glycopyrrolate (Robinul) 0.35mg IM on call to surgery. Describe what you would explain to the family about the drugs that were ordered for Mr. Smith.

2.Discuss the responsibilities of the nurse in the postanesthesia (PACU) area after Mr. Smith has completed his surgery.


3. Discuss the responsibilities of the nurse on the receiving floor after Mr. Smith is released from the PACU.