Care of the Surgical Patient (Perioperative Care) Flashcards
What are the two categories of surgery in NSW?
1) Elective = Surgery that is non-urgent, not life threatening, and can wait longer than 24 hrs, which is booked in advance e.g., cataract surgery; joint replacement.
2) Emergency surgery = Surgery that needs to be performed within 24-hours and is immediately life threatening; if delayed will compromise pt safety. E.g., appendectomy; hip fracture surgery; coronary bypass surgery.
What are the 7 aspects involved in perioperative preparation?
1) Perioperative assessment
2) Patient education
3) Preoperative testing
4) Medication management
5) Preoperative instructions
6) Emotional support
7) Preoperative checklist
What is involved in perioperative assessment?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Thorough evaluation of…
- Patient medical history
- Current health status, and
- Any pre-existing condition that may impact the surgery
What is involved in patient education?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Providing information to the patient about…
- The surgical procedure
- What to expect before, during, and after surgery,
- Potential risks and complications
- Instructions for perioperative preparation e.g., does patient need to be fasting or is there any medications need to be given pre surgery?
What is involved in perioperative testing?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Ordering and reviewing necessary tests
- E.g., blood test done or some imaging studies (X ray or MRI) or some other diagnosis evaluations, to assess the patient overall health status and ensure they’re ready for surgery
What is involved in medication management?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Reviewing patients current medication, adjusting or discontinuing
- This minimises the risk of complications such as bleeding or drug interaction
- E.g., Patients that are on Warfarin need to discontinue before surgery to avoid bleed (most common complication)
What is involved in perioperative instructions?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Detailed instructions to patients about…
- Fasting requirements
- Medication restrictions
- Hygiene practice e.g., some patients need to shower with special antibacterial soap to prepare for their surgery
- Arriving time for the day of the surgery
What is involved in emotion support?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Addressing patients emotions, needs and concerns relating to the surgery
- Providing reassurance
- Answering questions
- Offering support and encouragement
What is involved in perioperative checklist?
[7 aspects of perioperative preparation]
Verify all necessary perioperative preparation and assessments have been completed and documented for example…
- Does patient have an ID band on?
- Does patient have any allergies?
- Are they fasting?
- Has any pre-medication given?
What are the three steps to surgical site preparation?
1) Skin preparation - shaving/clipping hair
2) Skin cleaning - 2%/4% alcoholic chlorhexidine, cetrimide, iodine 1% in alcohol 70%.
3) Draping surgical site
What does NBM stand for, mean, and in which circumstance is it usually applied in?
Nil by mouth - not allowed to consume any food or drinks orally. It’s a medical instruction often given before surgeries or medical procedures.
What is the benefit of being NBM before a surgery?
It prevents complications such as aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or liquid into the lungs), particularly when a patient is under anesthesia or undergoing procedures that require an empty stomach. It helps reduce the risk of vomiting or regurgitation during medical interventions, which could lead to serious respiratory issues.
The following are involved in…?
- Fasting from solid food and fluids
- Enteral Tube Feeding
- Oral Medications
- Breast Feeding
Perioperative airway preparation.
What is the ASA score?
ASA = American Society of Anaesthesiologists assessment of a patient’s overall health before surgery or medical procedures.
How many ASA scores are there and what do they mean?
There are 6 classifications:
- ASA Class I: A normal healthy patient
ASA Class II: A patient with mild systemic disease
ASA Class III: A patient with severe systemic disease limiting activity but not incapacitating
ASA Class IV: A patient with incapacitating systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
ASA Class V: An extremely ill patient who is not expected to live 24 hours with or without an operation
ASA Class VI: A declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes.
What are the two types of liquid feedings and what do they mean?
1) Enteral nutrition when you have food directly into the stomach or small bowel.
2) Parenteral nutrition when you have food directly into a vein (PN).
What is a side effect?
An unintended or undesirable effect of a drug, medication, medical treatment, or intervention that occurs in addition to the desired therapeutic effect.
What ASA score is the following:
A patient with severe systemic disease limiting activity but not incapacitating
ASA 3
What ASA score is the following:
A patient with incapacitating systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
ASA 4