1 - Basic Clinical Skills Flashcards
The four elements of consent are:
understanding
retaining
deciding
communicating.
for cutting diathermy what type of waveform is produced
continuous current, low voltage
for coagulation diathermy what type of waveform is produced
high voltage spikes
what is monopolar diathermy
Monopolar diathermy emits voltage from the electrode, travels through body tissues and returned to the machine via an adhesive pad
what is bipolar diathermy
Passage of current from the diathermy between a pair of bipolar forceps to form a complete electrical circuit. Bipolar diathermy does not require a patient return pad as both active and return electrodes are combined within the forceps.
In what patients must monopolar diathermy be avoided
cardiac pacemakers
what must be avoided when placing the diathermy pad
scars
bony prominences
metal implants / joints
types of surigcal forceps
toothed or non toothed
what are littlewoods
tissue forceps for retracting tissue
what are babcocks
forceps with atraumatic tips - useful for holding delicate tissues
what type of instreuments are doyens, langenbeck and morris
retractors
When are doyens retractors used?
C/S for retracting bladder away from uterus
what type of instruments are spencer wells
Haemostatic forceps - to compress arteries and seal small vessels.
2 main categories of surgical sciscors
- Dissecting
2. Suture scissors
What is the lithotomy position?
supine, legs separated, flexed and in stirrups
What is trendelenburg position
head down tilt
What is Lloyd Davis position
Head down tilt with legs apart, hips flexed to 15°
What is a swaged suture
A suture with the appropriate needle attached
What curvatures of needles are available
straight - for skin closure
1/2
3/8
J shaped - closure of rectus sheath
what is the range of suture sizes?
5 - 11-0
smallest = 11-0 - used in opthalmology
Skin healing time
1 - 2 weeks
subcutaneous tissue healing time
2 weeks
peritoneum healing time
4 - 10 days
uterus healing time
8 days
