3.1 Perioperative Care Flashcards
Perioperative Care
- Includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care
Pre-operative phase
- Begins with the decision to proceed with surgery until the patient is transferred to the operating room or bed
Intraoperative Care
- Begins after patient is transferred to the OR bed and ends with admission to PACU (post anesthesia care unit)
Postoperative Care
- Begins with admission to PACU and ends with follow up evaluation in the clinical setting or home
Surgery
- Categories are based on anatomical location, procedure to be preformed, and purpose of the surgery.
Diagnosis/Exploration Surgery
- Determines origin and cause of a disorder
- These include laparoscopy/laparotomy (opening of abdomen to investigate tumors, bleeding, obstruction and gangrene)
Curative Surgery
- Resolving the issue by repairing or removing the cause
- An example is appendectomy or removal of inflamed/infected tissue
Palliative Surgery
- Relieves symptoms but does provide a cure
- Example is debulking a tumor to provide relief of symptoms
Prevention Surgery (prophylactic)
- Removing tissue that does not yet contain cancer but may in the future
- Example is a mastectomy in high risk patients (removal of breast)
Rehabilitative or Restorative Surgery
- To improve function or decrease pain.
- To restore your body after an injury or disease
- Example includes joint replacement to improve functional ability
Reconstructive surgery
- Often a form of cosmetic surgery
- Also includes surgeries used to rebuild an area after surgery
- Example includes breast reconstructive surgery following mastectomy
Cosmetic Improvements
- Alters/Enhances personal appearance
- Example is a face lift
Surgical Classifications
- Based on how urgent the surgery is
Emergent - Requires immediate intervention
Urgent - Requires prompt attention (no more than 24 hours)
Required - Needs surgery but is not time critical
Elective - Should have the surgery but is not required
Optional - Decision is on the patient (most common is cosmetic surgery)
Emergent Surgery Examples
- Severe Bleeding
- Bladder or intestinal obstruction
- Fractured skull
- Gunshot/stab wound
- Extensive burn
- Need surgery without delay
Urgent Surgery Examples
- Acute bladder infection
- Kidney/Ureteral stones
- Needs surgery within 24-30 hours
Required Surgery Examples
- Prostatic hyperplasia without bladder obstruction
- Thyroid disorders
- Cataracts
- Plan within a few weeks to months
Elective Surgery Examples
- Repair of scars
- Simple hernia
- Vaginal repair
- Failure to have surgery is not catastrophic
Optional Surgery Examples
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Personal preference
Preoperative Care
- Most important components are assessment and teaching
- Begins with initial contact which is often a phone call to schedule surgery or discussion about the surgery at a physicians office
Role of a nurse in Preoperative Care
- Education of patient and family
- Clarifying understanding of patient and family
- Ensuring family understands risks and benefits of surgery
General Surgery
NPO - Nothing to drink or eat for a prescribed amount of time. This is generally 6-8 hours before surgery and decreases the risk of aspiration. Give patients oral or written directions to stress adherence
Cough/Deep Breathing - Importance of this to reduce respiratory complications. May involve demonstration of incentive spirometry.
Tubes/Drains/Monitors/IV - Inform patient about equipment they may encounter following surgery.
Paralytic Drugs - Inform use of paralytic and anesthetic drugs and their inability to move
Ambulatory Surgery
- Ensure they know to remain in recovery area for a few hours
- Assure they have a ride home
- Determine if they have a plan for at home post-op recovery
Admission Data (Pre-Op Assessment)
- Demographics, health history, and all other information pertinent to surgery
- Verification of completion of preoperative diagnostic tests with results
- Comprehensive medical/surgical history
- Full review of systems
- This also begins discharge planning for patient by assessing the patients knowledge of their postoperative care.
Medications (Pre-Op Assessment)
- Ask specifically for prescribed medications that can potentially affect surgical experience
- Corticosteroids, diuretics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, insulin, antibiotics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, opioids, aspirin, NSAID’s vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal supplements. (May need to stop taking these 3 weeks prior to surgery)