IN4 pre/post op Flashcards
Anesthesia
A loss of sensory perception to prevent pain, achieve adequate muscle relaxation and to calm fear, ease anxiety and induce forgetfulness
Curative Surgery
Cures; alleviates a problem
Diagnostic Surgery
Done to provide data for diagnosis of the problem (i.e. mass biopsy, exploratory laparotomy)
Elective Surgery
Voluntary; improves person’s life or well being. Is scheduled in advance
Emergency Surgery
Done to save life or function; necessary in trauma cases where serious consequences will occur if surgery is not done immediately
Incentive Spirometer
Assist the patient in deep breathing; most often used following abdominal or thoracic surgery
Palliative Surgery
Pain/Complication relieving; performed to make the patient more comfortable (necrotic tissue debridement, colostomy)
Pneumatic Stocking devices
A sequential compression device used alone or in conjunction with antiembolitic stockings that inflate and deflate chambers within the sleeve. This removes pooled blood and prevents both venous stasis and the accumulation of clotting factors
Reconstructive Surgery
Restore appearance or function due to trauma or illness
Pre-op
preoperative
Post-op
postoperative
How is general anesthesia induced?
by the administration of inhalant gas or intravenous medications
In which type of anesthesia does the patient go into a deep sleep state with muscle relaxation and is not aware of anything going on in the operating room?
General
How is regional anesthesia induced?
Nerve block is administered causing loss of sensation in an area of the body with no loss of consciousness, injected along nerve path
How is conscious sedation induced?
Local injection plus iv sedation causing depressed level of consciousness
In what type of anesthesia must the patient independently maintain their airway and respond to verbal stimuli?
Conscious sedation
What type of anesthesia is used for minor procedures like biopsies or cyst excision?
Local anesthesia
When does the pre-op NPO order usually start?
6-8 hours before surgery
Why are pre-op patients placed on NPO orders?
Prevents vomiting and aspiration caused by anesthesia
What are some pre-op interventions that Corpsman/Technicians may be responsible for performing?
NG tube placement, IV line insertion, O2 Therapy, Urinary Catheter insertion
What piece of post op equipment is helpful to prevent atelectasis and hypoventilation in the postoperative patient?
Incentive Spirometer
What is used for splinting abdominal or thoracic surgical areas to provide firm support and reduce incisional pulling during deep breathing or coughing exercises?
Pillow
What is used to prevent thrombus formation while improving venous return of blood to the heart?
Pneumatic stocking devices (also used to prevent dependent edema)
What are some general vital sign guidelines for the post op patient?
Q15 x 1hr, Q30 min x 2hr, Q1hr x 4hrs until totally recovered from surgery
What are some ways we can provide comfort for the post-op patient when we cannot give pain medications?
Patient re-positioning, ensure bladder is empty, Keep patient warm, Distraction and imagery
How often should the patient perform leg exercises and change positions?
every 2 hours
If urine flow from the indwelling catheter is less than _____ after 2 hours you should notify the surgeon
60ml
If a post op patient did not receive a catheter, how many hours should elapse before they void?
should void within 8 hours
What should you do before applying pneumatic stocking devices?
Measure circumference of upper thigh, complete neurovascular assessment of legs
What are some signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
Fever, increased sputum, purulent sputum, cough dyspnea, malaise, abnormal breath sounds
What are some signs and symptoms of atelectasis?
chest pain, dyspena
What are the complications associated with the post op surgical wound?
Dehiscense, Evisceration and infection
What complication of a post op surgical wound might be characterized by a feeling of “something gave”?
Evisceration
What should you do for the patient who suffers a surgical wound evisceration?
cover wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze or towels, notify nurse or doctor, return to operating room for repair, monitor for shock
What should be done if a surgical dressing is discovered to have staining?
outline with pen, note time, monitor, every hour for first four hours
What are some postoperative abnormal findings/complications that should be reported to the nurse and documented?
Elevated vital signs, Pain meds with no relief, wound complications, urinary retention, abnormal respiratory function, circulatory complications, abnormal mental status
