Complications, Chapter22 P138-156 Flashcards
ATELECTASIS
What is it?
P138
Collapse of the alveoli
ATELECTASIS
What is the etiology?
P138
Inadequate alveolar expansion (e.g., poor ventilation of lungs during surgery, inability to fully inspire secondary to
pain), high levels of inspired oxygen
ATELECTASIS
What are the signs?
P139
Fever, decreased breath sounds with rales, tachypnea, tachycardia, and increased density on CXR
ATELECTASIS
What are the risk factors?
P139
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking, abdominal or thoracic surgery, oversedation, poor pain control (patient cannot breathe deeply secondary to pain on inspiration)
ATELECTASIS
What is its claim to fame?
P139
Most common cause of fever during PODs #1 to #2
ATELECTASIS
What prophylactic measures can be taken?
P139
Preoperative smoking cessation, incentive spirometry, good pain contro
ATELECTASIS
What is the treatment?
P139
Postoperative incentive spirometry, deep breathing, coughing, early ambulation, NT suctioning, and chest PT
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What is it?
P139
Respiratory impairment with increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, dyspnea
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What is the differential diagnosis?
P139
Hypovolemia, pulmonary embolism, administration of supplemental O(2) to a patient with COPD, atelectasis,
pneumonia, aspiration, pulmonary edema, abdominal compartment syndrome, pneumothorax, chylothorax, hemothorax, narcotic overdose, mucous plug
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What is the treatment?
P139
Supplemental O2, chest PT; suctioning, intubation, and ventilation if necessary
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What is the initial workup?
P139
ABG, CXR, EKG, pulse oximetry, and auscultation
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What are the indications for intubation and ventilation?
P139
Cannot protect airway (unconscious), excessive work of breathing, progressive hypoxemia (PaO(2) 50), RR> 35
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What are the possible causes of postoperative pleural
effusion?
P140
Fluid overload, pneumonia, and diaphragmatic inflammation with possible subphrenic abscess formation
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
What is the treatment of postoperative wheezing?
P140
Albuterol nebulizer
POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE
Why may it be dangerous to give a patient with chronic
COPD supplemental oxygen?
P140
This patient uses relative hypoxia for respiratory drive, and supplemental O(2) may remove this drive!
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
P140
DVT that embolizes to the pulmonary arterial system
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is DVT?
P140
Deep Venous Thrombosis—a clot forming in the pelvic or lower extremity veins
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Is DVT more common in the right or left iliac vein?
P140
Left is more common (4:1) because the aortic bifurcation crosses and possibly compresses the left iliac vein
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the signs/symptoms of DVT?
P140
- Lower extremity pain, swelling, tenderness, Homan’s sign, PE
- Up to 50% can be asymptomatic!
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is Homan’s sign?
P140
Calf pain with dorsiflexion of the foot seen classically with DVT, but actually found in fewer than one third of patients
with DVT
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What test is used to evaluate for DVT?
P140
Duplex ultrasonography
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is Virchow’s triad?
P140
- Stasis
- Endothelial injury
- Hypercoagulable state (risk factors for thrombosis)
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the risk factors for DVT and PE?
P140
Postoperative status, multiple trauma, paralysis, immobility, CHF, obesity, BCP/tamoxifen, cancer, advanced age,
polycythemia, MI, HIT syndrome, hypercoagulable state (protein C/protein S deficiency)
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the signs/symptoms of PE?
P141
Shortness of breath, tachypnea, hypotension, CP, occasionally fever, loud pulmonic component of S2, hemoptysis with pulmonary infarct
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the associated lab findings?
P141
ABG—decreased PO(2) and PCO(2)
from hyperventilation
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Which diagnostic tests are indicated?
P141
CT angiogram, V-Q scan (ventilationperfusion scan), pulmonary angiogram is the gold standard
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the associated CXR findings?
P141
- Westermark’s sign (wedge-shaped area of decreased
pulmonary vasculature resulting in hyperlucency) - Opacity with base at pleural edge from
pulmonary infarction
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What are the associated EKG findings?
P141
> 50% are abnormal; classic finding is cor pulmonale (S1Q3T3 RBBB and right-axis deviation); EKG most commonly shows flipped T waves or ST depression
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is a “saddle” embolus?
P141
PE that “straddles” the pulmonary artery and is in the lumen of both the right and left pulmonary arteries
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the treatment if the patient is stable?
P141
Anticoagulation (heparin followed by long-term
[3–6 months] Coumadin®) or Greenfield filter
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is a Greenfield filter?
P141 (picture)
Metallic filter placed into IVC via jugular vein to catch emboli prior to lodging in the pulmonary artery
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Where did Dr. Greenfield get the idea for his IVC filter?
P142
Oil pipeline filters!
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
When is a Greenfield filter indicated?
P142
If anticoagulation is contraindicated or patient has further PE on adequate anticoagulation or is high risk (e.g., pelvic and femur fractures)
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the treatment if the patient’s condition is unstable?
P142
Consider thrombolytic therapy; consult thoracic surgeon for possible Trendelenburg operation; consider catheter suction embolectomy
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is the Trendelenburg operation?
P142
Pulmonary artery embolectomy
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What is a “retrievable” IVC filter?
P142
IVC filter that can be removed (“retrieved”)
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What percentage of retrievable IVC filter are actually removed?
P142
Only about 20%
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
What prophylactic measures can be taken for DVT/PE?
P142
LMWH (Lovenox®) 40 mg SQ QD; or 30 mg SQ b.i.d.; subQ heparin (5000 units subQ every 8 hrs; must be started
preoperatively), sequential compression device BOOTS beginning in O.R. (often used with subQ heparin), early ambulation
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What is it?
P142
Pneumonia following aspiration of vomitus
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What are the risk factors?
P142
Intubation/extubation, impaired consciousness (e.g., drug or EtOH overdose), dysphagia (esophageal disease),
nonfunctioning NGT, Trendelenburg position, emergent intubation with full stomach, gastric dilatation
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What are the signs/symptoms?
P142
Respiratory failure, CP, increased sputum production, fever, cough, mental status changes, tachycardia, cyanosis, infiltrate on CXR
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What are the associated CXR findings?
P143
Early—fluffy infiltrate or normal CXR Late—pneumonia, ARDS
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
Which lobes are commonly involved?
P143
Supine—RUL
Sitting/semirecumbent—RLL
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
Which organisms are commonly involved?
P143
Community acquired—gram-positive/ mixed
Hospital/ICU—gram-negative rods
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
Which diagnostic tests are indicated?
P143
CXR, sputum, Gram stain, sputum culture, bronchoalveolar lavage
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What is the treatment?
P143
Bronchoscopy, antibiotics if pneumonia develops, intubation if respiratory failure occurs, ventilation with PEEP if ARDS
develops
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
What is Mendelson’s syndrome?
P143
Chemical pneumonitis secondary to aspiration of stomach contents (i.e., gastric acid)
ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA
Are prophylatic antibiotics indicated for aspiration pneumonitis?
P143
NO
GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS
What are possible NGT complications?
P143
- Aspiration-pneumonia/atelectasis (especially if NGT is clogged) - Sinusitis - Minor UGI bleeding - Epistaxis - Pharyngeal irritation, gastric irritation
GASTRIC DILATATION
What are the risk factors?
P143
Abdominal surgery, gastric outlet obstruction, splenectomy, narcotics
GASTRIC DILATATION
What are the signs/symptoms?
P143
Abdominal distension, hiccups, electrolyte abnormalities, nausea
GASTRIC DILATATION
What is the treatment?
P143
NGT decompression
GASTRIC DILATATION
What do you do if you have a patient with high NGT
output?
P144
Check high abdominal x-ray and, if the NGT is in duodenum, pull back the NGT into the stomach
POSTOPERATIVE PANCREATITIS
What is it?
P144
Pancreatitis resulting from manipulation of the pancreas during surgery or low blood flow during the procedure
(i.e., cardiopulmonary bypass), gallstones, hypercalcemia, medications, idiopathic
POSTOPERATIVE PANCREATITIS
What lab tests are performed?
P144
Amylase and lipase
POSTOPERATIVE PANCREATITIS
What is the initial treatment?
P144
Same as that for the other causes of pancreatitis (e.g., NPO, aggressive fluid resuscitation, NGT PRN)
CONSTIPATION
What are the postoperative causes?
P144
Narcotics, immobility
CONSTIPATION
What is the treatment?
P144
OBR
CONSTIPATION
What is OBR?
P144
Ortho Bowel Routine: docusate sodium (daily), dicacodyl suppository if no bowel movement occurs, Fleet® enema if
suppository is ineffective
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME
What is it?
P144
Malabsorption and diarrhea resulting from extensive bowel resection (120 cm of small bowel remaining)
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME
What is the initial treatment?
P144
TPN early, followed by many small meals chronically
POSTOPERATIVE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION (SBO)/ILEUS
What causes SBO?
P144
Adhesions (most of which resolve spontaneously), incarcerated hernia (internal or fascial/dehiscence)
POSTOPERATIVE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION (SBO)/ILEUS
What causes ileus?
P145
Laparotomy, hypokalemia or narcotics, intraperitoneal infection
POSTOPERATIVE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION (SBO)/ILEUS
What are the signs of resolving ileus/SBO?
P145
Flatus PR, stool PR
POSTOPERATIVE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION (SBO)/ILEUS
What is the order of recovery of bowel function after
abdominal surgery?
P145
First—small intestine
Second—stomach
Third—colon
POSTOPERATIVE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION (SBO)/ILEUS
When can a postoperative patient be fed through a
J-tube?
P145
From 12 to 24 postoperative hours because the small intestine recovers function first in that period
JAUNDICE
What are the causes of the following types of postoperative jaundice:
Prehepatic
P145
Hemolysis (prosthetic valve), resolving hematoma, transfusion reaction, postcardiopulmonary bypass, blood
transfusions (decreased RBC compliance leading to cell rupture)
JAUNDICE
What are the causes of the following types of postoperative jaundice:
Hepatic
P145
Drugs, hypotension, hypoxia, sepsis, hepatitis, “sympathetic” hepatic inflammation from adjacent right lower lobe infarction of the lung or pneumonia,
preexisting cirrhosis, right-sided heart failure, hepatic abscess, pylephlebitis (thrombosis of portal vein), Gilbert
syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, fatty infiltrate from TPN
JAUNDICE
What are the causes of the following types of postoperative jaundice:
Posthepatic
P145
Choledocholithiasis, stricture, cholangitis, cholecystitis, biliary-duct injury, pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, tumors
(e.g., cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, metastases), biliary stasis (e.g., ceftriaxone [Rocephin®])
JAUNDICE
What blood test results would support the assumption that
hemolysis was causing jaundice in a patient?
P145
Decreased—Haptoglobin, Hct
Increased—LDH, reticulocytes
Also, fragmented RBCs on a peripheral smear