Exam 2: The Perioperative Experience Flashcards
In regards to Preoperative Fasting, Clear liquids can be taken up to _____hrs before elective surgery ?
2 hours
In regards to Preoperative Fasting, you can have a light breakfast (tea & toast) up to _____hrs before surgery ?
6 hours
In regards to Preoperative Fasting, a heavier meal can be consumed up to _____hrs before surgery ?
8 hours
- Always defer to written preoperative orders !
On the day of surgery the patient must be alert & orientated to do what ?
Sign the consent
On the day of surgery, why should nail polish be removed ?
To allow for the assessment of the pulse ox
Why are cosmetics not allowed on the day of surgery ?
Having no cosmetics on, allows for skin color assessment
On the day of surgery what do you want to make sure the patient has on ?
- I.D.
- Allergy band (if applicable)
What should you make sure to remove on the day of surgery ?
Remove assistive devices, but keep handy to return to the pt. after surgery
True or False: on the day of surgery you should make sure to do any remaining surgical scrubs if necessary ?
True
What are some preoperative medications ?
- Benzodiazepines
- Narcotics
- H2-receptor antagonists
- Antacids
- Antiemetics
- Anticholinergics
What are examples of Benzodiazepines ?
- Versed
- Valium
- Ativan
What to Benzodiazepines do ?
- Decrease anxiety
- Induce sedation & amnesia
What do Narcotics do ?
Relieve discomfort during pre-op procedures
What are examples of Narcotics ?
- Morphine
- Demerol
- Fentanyl
What do H2-receptor antagonists do ?
- Affects gastric PH
- Decreases gastric volume
What are examples of H2-receptor antagonists ?
- Zantac
- Pepcid
- Tagament
What do Antacids do ?
Affect gastric pH (don’t know how exactly)
What is an example of an Antacid ?
Sodium citrate
What do Antiemetics do/ are involved in ?
- Gastric emptying
- decrease N/V
What are examples of Anticholinergics do ?
Reduce oral and respiratory secretions
What is an example of an Anticholinergic ?
Atropine
When/why are antibiotics used as preoperative medications ?
- Wound contamination risk
- Patients with valve disorders (Ex: Endocarditis)
- Serious post-op consequences of wound infection (cardiac joint)
When administering antibiotics as a part of the Preoperative Medications, when do you want to give them ?
30 - 60 minutes before the surgical incision
what age population is at greater risk for complications ?
Gerontologic population
The Gerontologic population is at risk for __________, especially after emergent surgery ?
delirium
In Preoperative nursing, what does the Circulating RN do ?
- Not scrubbed
- Gowned and gloved and remain in the unsterile field
(preps room, documents, counts equipment, measure blood and fluid loss, assessing patient)
What type of nurse preps the room, documents, counts equipment, measure blood and fluid loss, and assess the patient ?
The Circulating RN
What type of nurse follows the scrub procedure, is gowned and gloved in sterile attire, and remain in the sterile field (preps room, scrubs in, assists the surgeon, counts equipment, monitors aseptic technique)
Scrub Nurse
What is the goal of both the Circulating RN and the Scrub Nurse ?
To use critical thinking to provide safe patient care !
what are the possible team members in the OR ?
- Scrub Nurse
- Circulating Nurse
- Anesthesia care provider (MD or nurse anesthetist)
- Surgeon
- Surgeon Assistant
RN first assistant
PA
NP
Surgical tech
What needs to be done before a procedure is started ?
- Need history and physical on the chart
- Need to complete a “Time-Out” (Surgeon and staff confirm the patient, correct site, correct procedure, etc)
In terms of Safety & Infection prevention; Everything in the OR must be what ?
Sterile
When prepping an incision site how should you clean it and the surrounding area ?
prep site from “clean” incision site to “dirty”
In regards to proper positioning of patients prior to surgery, what is a major thing that we want to prevent ?
Want to prevent pressure on nerves, skin, bony prominences, and eyes
What are important aspects to keep in mind in regards to proper positioning of patients preoperatively ?
- Accessibility of the operative site
- Administeration and monitoring of anesthetic agents
- Maintenance of airway
- Correct musculoskeletal alignment
- Prevent pressure on nerves, skin, eyes, and bony prominences
- Provide for adequate thoracic excursion
- Prevent occlusion of arteries and veins
- Provide modesty in exposure
- Secure extremities
- Provide adequate padding and support
- ** Above all, prevent injury ! **
What type of anesthesia is the technique of choice for surgeries with a significant duration or that require relaxation/uncomfortable position/control of respiration ?
General anesthesia
Most general anesthesia begins with what ?
IV agent
With General anesthesia, you have a loss of ______________ and _______________ ?
Consciousness and sensation
True or False ; General anesthesia is fast acting ?
True !
With General anesthesia, there is an elimination of what types of things ?
- cough
- gagging
- vomitting
- SNS responsiveness
What does “Adjuncts to General Anesthesia” mean ?
Added to achieve unconsciousness, analgesia, amnesia, muscle relaxation, or autonomic nervous system control
What are Adjuncts to General Anesthesia ?
- Opioids
- Benzodiazepines
- Neuromuscular blocking agents (help with intubation)
- Anti-emetics (prevent N/V associated with anesthesia)
(Anesthesia can be very hard on an empty stomach)
What does Local anesthesia cause ?
A Loss of sensation without a loss of consciousness !
How far in advance should Local anesthesia be given/applied before a procedure ?
30 to 60 minutes
What are different types of Local anesthesia ?
- Topical
- Ophthalmic
- Nebulized
- Injectable
What type of Anesthesia causes a loss of sensation in a body region without a loss of consciousness when specific nerves or group of nerves is blocked by the administration of a local anesthetic ?
Regional anesthesia
What is an Example of Regional anesthesia ?
Getting an Epidural during pregnancy
What type of regional anesthesia is, the injection of the agent into the CSF of the subarachnoid space ?
Spinal anesthesia
What type of Regional anesthesia is, an injection of an agent into the epidural space, and does not enter the CSF ?
Epidural block
What are the Risks of Spinal & Epidural Anesthesia ?
- Vasodilation
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- If anesthesia is placed “too high” it could result in inadequate respiration
- CSF leaks - causes spinal headaches
What should you monitor with Spinal & Epidural Anesthesia ?
The return of sensation and movement of the lower extremities
What are the advantages of Spinal & Epidural Anesthesia ?
- Pt. is awake
- Risk of anesthesia effects (i.e. general) ???
With what age population should anesthetic drugs be more carefully titrated ?
Geriatric
What age group is at greater risk for skin injury from tape, electrodes, and warming/cooling blankets ?
Geriatric population
What age population is at greater risk for preoperative hypothermia ?
Geriatric population
what are examples of Catastrophic Events in the OR ?
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Malignant hyperthermia
In the OR, manifestations of an Anaphylactic reaction may be masked by what ?
Anesthesia
- Vigilance and rapid intervention are essential