Instruments Flashcards
Absorbable sutures
Broken down by physiological processes such as enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis.
Materials of absorbable sutures
- Monocryl – monofilament, increased throws for stable knot (9); ~100 days for complete absorption
- Vicryl – polyfilament, less throws (3) but has increased fraying issues and local tissue inflammation; ~42-60 days for complete absorption
- PDS takes ~200 days for complete absorption
- Tensile strength of sutures rely on diameter of thread.
Indications for absorbable sutures
Deep tissues and tissues that heal rapidly, including:
- small bowel anastomosis
- suturing in the urinary or biliary tracts
- tying off small vessels near the skin.
Arterial Blood Gas Syringe
a version of point-of-care testing (POCT) and therefore you can attain immediate results.
What can affect results of an ABG?
Note the patient’sbodytemperatureand ifthe patient is currently receivingoxygentherapy, note theoxygen delivery deviceandflow rate.
ABG position of hand
Position the patient’s hand preferably on a pillow for comfort with the wrist extended by approximately 20-30°.
How does oxygen therapy impact ABG results?
- PaO2should begreater than 10 kPawhen oxygenating on roomairin a healthy patient.
- If the patient is receivingoxygen therapytheirPaO2should be approximately10kPa less thanthe% inspired concentration FiO2(so a patient on 40% oxygen would be expected to have a PaO2of approximately 30kPa).
What are the absolute contraindications to ABG?
peripheral vascular disease in the limb, cellulitis surrounding the site or arteriovenous fistula.
What are the relative contraindications to ABG?
impaired coagulation (e.g. anticoagulation therapy, liver disease, low platelets <50)
Blood bottles
colour coded to use for different tests.
Purple blood bottle
Contains EDTA - potent anticoagulant (binds to calcium in blood).
Used for haematology.
The purple tube needsinverting about 8 timesto mix the sample with the EDTA.
NOTE: for ESR, a full bottle is needed (otherwise 1ml enough)
Pink blood bottle
Contains EDTA.
Used for group and save, crossmatch and DAT.
needsinverting about 8 timesto mix the sample with the EDTA
NOTE: patient details must be filled by hand at the bedside
Group and save (G&S) test
this simply means the patient’s blood is typed and tested for antibodies, then saved in the lab in case it is required; it DOES NOT get you blood products for transfusion. If you need blood products you have to request a crossmatch.
Crossmatch blood test
this means that the patient’s blood is typed and tested as above, then matched to specific units of blood, platelets or other products for transfusion. You need to specify on the form how many units you need, why you need them and when they are required. A full crossmatch takes about 45-60 minutes in the lab – if you have an unstable bleeding patient and think you’ll need blood products sooner than this, you still need to send a crossmatch sample, but you can ask the lab for units oftype-specificblood (which take 10-20 minutes), or in a genuine emergency you can use their stocks ofO negativeblood from the fridge.
Blue blood bottle
Contains buffered sodium citrate - disrupts the clotting cascade
Used for coagulation screening.
Bottle must be filled to the line marked around the edge.
Which clotting tests must be taken at specific times?
Some clotting tests must betaken at specific times; INRs should ideally be done in the morning, and anti-Xa assays must be taken 3-4 hours after tinzaparin is given. APTR timings are often indicated on the prescription algorithm.
Yellow/gold blood bottle
Known as SST.
Contains silica particles and serum separating gel.
Used for a variety of tests that require separated serum for analysis, including immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, endocrinology, toxicology, oncology, U+E and liver function.
Grey blood bottle
contains sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate.
Used for glucose and lactate tests.
must beinverted about 8 timesto mix the sample with the fluoride and oxalate.
Red blood bottle
contains silica particles.
Used for sensitive tests including toxicology, drug levels, antibodies, hormones and bacterial and viral serology.
Dark green blood bottle
contains sodium heparin.
Used for ammonia, renin, aldosterone and insulin tests.
The green bottle needs to beinverted about 8 timesto mix the sample with the heparin. This bottle cannot be reliably used to assess sodium levels.
Light green blood bottle
Known as PST.
Contains lithium heparin and a plasma separator gel - acts to separate the plasma layer.
Used for routine biochemistry.
needsinverting about 8 times
NOTE: This bottle cannot be reliably used to assess lithium levels.
Rust Top blood bottle
Viral Immunology
Blood culture bottles
one for aerobic bacteria (blue top) and one for anaerobic bacteria (purple top).
Remember,fill the aerobic bottle first if you are using a vacutainer.
Blood glucose monitoring kit
CBGs are also important in diabetic crises, such as DKA, non-ketotic hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia and reduced GCS.