lecture 12: preoperative care Flashcards
what is surgery
- art and science of treating diseases, injuries, and deformities by operation and instrumentation
what is surgery for
- diagnosis
- cure or repair
- palliation
- prevention
- exploration
- cosmetic improvement
what are 3 surgical settings
- inpatient (requires overnight stay, same-day admission) emergency**
- ambulatory (outpatient, requires some monitoring in the PACU) elective**
4 purposes of the preoperative nursing assessment
- decrease surgical delays
- reduce patient anxiety
- educate and allow questions from patient and family
- help patients and families know what to expect
when does preoperative assessment occur
- in advance: pre-admission clinic or inpatient unit
- on day of surgery: same-day admission unit, emergency department
what is the purpose of the preoperative assessment
- obtain health info
- determine expectations
- provide and clarify info on procedure
- assess emotional state and readiness
- begin some postoperative teaching
- current medications
what are the 9 goals of nursing assessment
- determine psychological status to reinforce coping strategies
- **establish baseline data
- identify medications and herbs taken that may affect surgical outcome
- ensure patient understands the D/C plan and has postoperative support
- identify, document, and communicate results of tests
- identify cultural/ethnic factors that may affect surgical experience
- determine receipt of adequate info from surgeon in order to sign informed consent
- identify any psychosocial needs of the client
- ensure all preoperative consultations are complete and communicate mobility/sensory deficits to the team
psychosocial assessment of factors that can influence surgery
- excessive stress
- age, past experience, current health, socioeconomic status
- communication is key for lowering stress
- identify stressors
what can anxiety do, what interventions can we do
- can impair cognition, deicison-making, and coping abilities
- can arise from lack of knowledge, unrealistic expectations, conflict interventions and religious/cultural beliefs
interventions:
- provide info and clarify misconceptions
- identify beliefs and discuss with surgeon and operative staff
what can fears be for the patient
- death/disability
- pain
- mutilation/alteration in body image
- anesthesia
- disruption of life functioning
what should you look for in their health history
- diagnosed medical conditions
- previous surgeries and problems
- familial diseases
- reactions/problems to anesthesia
- menstrual/obstetric history
malignant hyperthermia**
- inherited genetic mutation
- exposure to volatile anesthetic agents
- sympt: muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia
- treatment: dantrolene, rapid cooling, oxygen, supportive care, fluids
which allergies should an RN be aware of in preop
- drug and non-drug
- latex allergy: screen for risk factors
- history of reactions suggesting latex allergy
what is the CVS considerations b4 surgery that should be documented
- baseline VS recorded
- lab reports
- ECG, cardiac ultrasound
- use of cardiac drugs, presence of pacemaker
What should be considered from the respiratory system in preop
- history of dyspnea, coughing, or sputum
- history of smoking; should be advised to quit 6 weeks before
- COPD/asthma: must know if they have had their inhalers
- obstructive sleep apnea
- COVID screening
What should be considered from the nervous system in preop
- cognitive function (assess for any deficits b4 surgery)
- risk for delirium (major surgery, dehydration, etc)
What should be considered from the urinary system in preop
- history of urinary or renal disease
- renal function tests (Cr and BUN)
- report problems voiding
- renal dysfunction can contribute to: electrolyte/fluid imbalance, increased risk for infection, impaired wound healing, etc