Ch. 9 Flashcards
preoperative phase begins when?
the patient is scheduled for surgery
preoperative phase ends when?
at the time of transfer to the surgical suite
during the preoperative phase, the nurse functions as ___
- educator
- advocate
- promoter of health and safety
*makes sure informed consent is signed (but MD explains procedure)
urgency of surgery is classified as
- elective
- urgent
- emergent
elective surgery
planned for correction of a non-acute problem
ie. cataract removal, hernia repair
urgent surgery
requires prompt intervention; may be life-threatening if treatment is delayed more than 24-48 hours
ie. intensional obstruction, bladder obstruction
emergent surgery
requires immediate intervention because life-threatening consequences
ie. gunshot or stab wound, severe bleeding
preoperative phase: assessment
Age and general status of health
Review of systems
Medical and previous surgical history (including anesthesia history)
Malignant hyperthermia
Drug and substance use
Allergies including to Latex products
Blood donation considerations
During this time, discharge planning begins
pre-op phase: physical assessment
- begins with obtaining complete set of baseline VS
- focus on problem areas identified by the patient’s history and on all body systems affected by the surgical procedure
- report any abnormal assessment findings to the surgeon and to anesthesiology
pre-op: CV assessment
- CAD (coronary artery disease)
- MI within 6 months before surgery
- angina
- HTN
- pacemaker
pre-op: respiratory assessment
- chronic respiratory problems
- sleep apnea
- smoking increases carboxyhemoglobin blood level, decreases O2 supply
pre-op: renal/kidney assessment
- kidney impairment inhibits drugs/anesthetic agent excretion
pre-op: neuro assessment
- determine baseline
- assess LOC, ability to follow commands
pre-op: MS assessment
- clubbing or cyanosis in digits or nails
- pain in joints
- symmetry of extremities
- loss of or change in range of motion
pre-op: nutritional status assessment
- malnutrition and obesity increase surgical risk
pre-op: psychosocial assessment
- anxiety or fear can affect the patient’s ability to learn, cope and cooperate
- assess the patient’s level of anxiety, coping ability, and support systems
anxiety indications: anger, crying, restless, profuse sweating, increased HR, palpitations, sleeplessness, diarrhea, and urinary frequency
pre-op phase: diagnostic criteria
- UA
- blood type and screen
- complete blood count or Hgb level and Hct
- clotting studies: PTT, PT
- metabolic panel
- pregnancy test
- chest x-ray
- CT or MRI
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
age related changes that put older adults at risk for surgery: DECREASED
decreased:
- CO, peripheral circulation
- vital capacity, blood O2
- blood flow to kidneys, GFR
age related changes that put older adults at risk for surgery: INCREASED
increased:
- BP
- risk for skin damage, infection
- sensory deficits, cognitive impairments
- deformities related to osteoporosis/arthritis
considerations for older adults for preoperative care risk factors
- chronic illness
- malnutrition
- impaired self-care ability
- inadequate support systems
- allergies
priority collaborative problems for preoperative patients are:
- need for health teaching d/t unfamiliarity with surgical procedures and preparation
- anxiety due to fear of new or unknown experience, pain, and/or surgical outcomes
informed consent
- Surgeon is responsible for obtaining signed consent before sedation and/or surgery
- the Joint Commission’s NPSG’s state patients must be informed
- surgery of any kind requires informed consent
nurse’s role with informed consent
Nurse’s role is to witness patients signature and clarify facts presented by the physician and dispel myths that the patient or family may have about surgery
- but physician should explain the surgery, not the nurse
how can patient’s sign informed consent?
with an “x”
in an emergency, informed consent can be obtained via
telephone authorization
some procedures require what (r/t to informed consent)?
special permits required for some procedures
health teaching for preoperative surgery
Provide information
Ensure informed consent is obtained
Ensure site marking
Implement dietary restrictions
Discuss scheduled drugs (reinforce surgeon’s or health care provider’s instructions)
Explain intestinal and skin preparation
Explain tubes, drains, vascular access
Teach methods to prevent respiratory and cardiovascular complications
minimizing anxiety preoperatively
- preoperative teaching
- encouraging communication
- promoting rest
- using distraction
- teaching family members
pre-op teaching to prevent respiratory and CV complications
- coughing, turning, deep breathing
- incentive spirometer
- lower extremity exercises
- stockings and pneumatic compression devices
- early ambulation
preoperative chart/EHR review
Ensure all documentation, preoperative procedures, and orders are complete.
Check the surgical consent form for signature
Ensure site marking
Document allergies, height, and weight.
Ensure results of all laboratory and diagnostic tests are on the chart.
Document and report any abnormal results.
Notify surgical team of special needs, concerns, and instructions
preoperative patient preparation
Patient should remove most clothing and wear a hospital gown.
Leave valuables with family member or lock up.
Tape rings in place if they cannot be removed.
Remove all pierced jewelry.
Ensure Patient is wearing an ID band.
Follow agency policy regarding: Dentures, prosthetic devices, hearing aids, eyeglasses, fingernail polish, and artificial nails must be removed.
Have patient void prior to going for surgery
preoperative meds are given for the purpose of
- reducing anxiety
- promoting relaxation
- inhibit gastric secretion
if antibiotics are ordered prophylactically, when are they given?
1 hour before surgery
safety goals during the surgical experience
national patient safety goals:
1. right patient, right procedure
2. right extremity (“yes” on R leg, “no” on L leg)
3. pause before surgery, call “time out” to go through all checks
- surgical care improvement plan (SCIP)
- surgical safety checklist
- teamSTEPPS + SBAR: communication methods
members of the surgical team
- surgeon and surgical assistant
- anesthesia providers: anesthesiologist and CRNA
- holding area nurse
- circulating nurse
- scrub nurse
- surgical technologist
- speciality nurses
robotic assisted surgery
- now a common practice
- preferred technique for many surgery types: cholecystectomy, joint surgery, cardiac surgery, splenectomy, spinal surgery
benefits of MIS (minimally invasive robotic surgery)
reduced surgery time for some surgeries,
smaller incisions,
reduced blood loss,
faster recovery time,
less pain after surgery
athroscopic surgery
- surgery on shoulders, knees, hips
anesthesia
induced state of partial or total loss of sensation, occurring with or without loss of consciousness
what is anesthesia used for?
- used to block nerve impulse transmission
- suppress reflexes
- promote muscle relaxation
- achieve a controlled level of unconsciousness
general anesthesia
- reversible loss of consciousness induced by inhibiting neuronal impulses in several areas of the CNS
- involves a single agent or a combination of agents
- total LOC, no gag reflex, muscles relaxed
*main concern: respiratory issues
administration of general anesthesia
- inhalation
- IV injection
- balanced anesthesia
what is balanced anesthesia?
- Combination of IV drugs and inhalation agents used to obtain specific effects
- Example: Thiopental for induction, nitrous oxide for amnesia, morphine for analgesia, pancuronium for muscle relaxation
adjuvants to general anesthetic agents
- hypnotics
- opioid analgesics
- neuromuscular blocking agents
hypnotics and opioid analgesics can be used for:
- sedation before surgery,
- IV moderate sedation for short procedures, and
- as an adjunct to general anesthesia during surgery
neuromuscular blocking agents are used for:
- to relax the jaw and vocal cords immediately after so the endotracheal tube can be placed
example of local anesthesia
lidocaine, novocaine at the dentist
local anesthesia
- Briefly disrupts sensory nerve impulse transmission from a specific body area or region
- provides a reversible regional loss of sensation in a predetermined area of the body to reduce pain and facilitate the surgical procedure
- Delivered topically and by local infiltration
- Patient remains conscious and able to follow instructions, gag reflex is intact
regional anesthesia
Type of local anesthesia that blocks multiple peripheral nerves in a specific body region
- Field block
- Nerve block
- Spinal block
- Epidural block
what is regional anesthesia often used for?
- when pain management after surgery is desired
ie. TKR