Electrosurgery Flashcards
What is blend current?
Current that divides tissue and controls some bleeding
What is coagulating current?
Current that passes intense heat through active electrode used to sear vessels and control bleeding
What is a cutting current?
Current that arcs between tissue and active electrode to divide tissue without coagulation
How does a bipolar unit work?
Current travels across forcep tips back to generator. No grounding pad required
How does a monopolar unit work?
Current flows from generator to active electrode, through pt, to inactive dispersive electrode (grounding pad) and back to generator
How does the generator produce an electric current?
Through high frequency radio waves
What is the inactive dispersive electrode pad?
Apparatus used to direct current fr pt back to generator
Also called inactive electrode, grounding pad
When should the grounding pad be placed on pt?
After positioning so pad doesn’t get displaced
You should not ________ and ________ dispersive electrode as Integrity of adhesive will be altered
Remove and reposition
Where should pads not be placed?
Over bony prominences
Over metal implants
Directly over or near pacemakers
What integrity characteristics of the grounding pad may cause it to be non useable?
Bent edges, does not adhere uniformly to skin
Expiry date
Clean
How can the grounding pad application affect current density?
Larger amount attached the lower the current concentration on pt skin. The less pad attached the higher the current concentration and that area of skin under pad may suffer damage
What are important safety considerations to remember re a ESU generator
Keep fluids away fr generator and foot pedals, especially alcohol and tincture based agents which can ignite around ESU creating flames
Encase foot pedal in bag
Keep audible sound indicator loud enough to be heard
What can be found in smoke plume?
Tissue cells Bacteria Viruses Isopropyl alcohol Formaldehyde Air borne mutagens Carbon monoxide Trace toxic gases
Tubing of smoke evaluator should be treated as ___________and_________.
Infectious and hazardous
