Which of the following is a common preoperative assessment performed by perioperative nurses?

The common preoperative assessment performed by perioperative nurses focuses on gathering comprehensive information about the patient prior to surgery. This includes taking vital signs to assess the patient's current health status, reviewing their medical history to identify any underlying conditions or previous surgical experiences, checking for allergies to medications or materials that may be used during the procedure, and conducting a physical examination to ensure that the patient is fit for surgery.

This thorough assessment is crucial in forming a baseline for the patient's health and determining any potential risks or complications that need to be addressed before the surgical procedure. It also helps in planning the perioperative care and tailoring interventions that are specific to the patient's needs, ensuring safety and optimizing outcomes.

Other choices may represent important aspects of patient care and management but are not primarily categorized as preoperative assessments conducted by perioperative nurses. For instance, patient medication administration typically occurs in the context of preparing a patient for surgery, and monitoring cardiac function is often performed by specialized staff in a different unit or during the surgery itself. Postoperative pain management, while critical to a patient's recovery, is addressed after the surgery has been performed. Thus, the gathering of information regarding vital signs and other assessments is what firmly aligns with the preoperative responsibilities of perioperative nurses.