Module 1: Part 3 Flashcards
During the first 24 hours after surgery, nursing care of the hospitalized patient consists of:
- Helping the patient recover from the effects of
anesthesia - Frequently assessing the patient’s physiologic status
- Monitoring for complications
- Managing pain
- Successful management of the therapeutic regimen
In the initial hours after admission to the clinical unit, what are the primary concerns for a pt?
(know 4)
- Adequate ventilation
- Hemodynamic stability
- Incisional pain
- Surgical site integrity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neurologic status
- Spontaneous voiding
For the 1st hour post-surgery, how often are BP, HR and RR taken?
Every 15 min
For the 2 hours following the 1st hour post-surgery, how often are BP, HR, and RR taken?
Every 30 min
For the 1st 24 hours how often is the temp monitored?
Every 4 hours
Why should you monitor for airway patency and any signs of laryngeal edema post-surg
Because pulmonary complications are among the most frequent and serious problems encountered by the surgical patient
What are some factors that may cause shallow and rapid respirations in the post-surg pt?
(Know 3)
- Pain
- Constricting dressings
- Gastric dilation
- Abdominal distention
- Obesity
What factors may cause noisy breathing?
May be due to obstruction by secretions or the tongue
What causes flash pulmonary edema?
Protein and fluid accumulate in the alveoli, unrelated to elevated pulmonary artery occlusive pressure
What are some signs and symptoms of flash pulmonary edema?
- Tachypnea
- Tachycardia
- Decreased pulse oximetry readings
- Frothy pink sputum
- Crackles
What might be indicated by a pt with post-operative restlessness or a change in their mental state?
May be related to anxiety, pain, or medications. May also be a symptom of oxygen deficit, urinary retention, or hemorrhage
What are the major goals for postop pts?
Know 4
- Optimal respiratory function
- Relief of pain
- Optimal cardiovascular function
- Increased activity tolerance
- Unimpaired wound healing
- Maintenance of body temperature
- Maintenance of nutritional balance
What is atelectasis?
Alveolar collapse, incomplete expansion of the lung
Which postop pt are at a higher risk for atelectasis?
- Pts who are not moving well or ambulating
- Not performing deep-breathing and coughing
exercises - Not using an incentive spirometer
Signs and symptoms of atelectasis?
- Decreased breath sounds over the affected area
- Crackles
- Cough
What are some charateristics of PNA?
- Chills and fever
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Cough may or may not be present and may or may not
be productive
Hypostatic pulmonary congestion more frequently occurs in which pts?
In older pts who are not mobilized effectively
Signs and symptoms of hypostatic pulmonary congestion
- Slight elevation of temperature, HR, and RR
- Cough
- Crackles at the base of the lungs
What is subacute hypoxemia?
A constant low level of oxygen saturation when breathing appears normal
What is episodic hypoxemia?
Develops suddenly, pt may be at risk for cerebral dysfunction, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac arrest
What are 3 factors that increase the risk for hypoxemia?
- Pts who have undergone major surgery (particularly
abdominal) - Obese pts
- Pts with pre-existing pulmonary problems
To clear secretions and prevent pneumonia, what should the nurse encourage the pt to do?
- Turn frequently
- Take deep breaths
- Cough
- Use the incentive spirometer
How often should pts use the incentive spirometer?
At least every hour
Coughing is contraindicated in which pts?
- Those with head injuries or who have undergone
intracranial surgery (because of the risk for increasing
intracranial pressure) - Pts who have undergone eye surgery (because of the
risk for increasing intraocular pressure) - Pts who had plastic surgery (because of the risk for
increasing tension on delicate tissues).
What affect does stress have on the body’s ability to form blood clots?
The hypothalamic stress response results in an increase in blood viscosity and platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of thrombosis and PE
What is the goal for pt controlled analgesia (PCA)?
Pain prevention rather than sporadic pain control
What are teh 2 requirements for PCA?
- An understanding of the need to self-dose
2. The physical ability to self-dose
Why are epidural infusions used with caution in chest procedures?
Because the analgesic may ascend along the spinal cord and affect respiration
How does intrapleural anesthesia affect breathing/coughing/etc?
Allows for more effective coughing and deep breathing in conditions such as cholecystectomy, renal surgery, and rib fractures in which pain in the thoracic region would interfere with these exercises
Is wound drainage included in an input/output record?
Yes
If your pt has an indwelling urinary catheter, how often should you be checking it?
Every hour
What mL should the pt be voiding every hour?
Greater than 30mL/hr, anything less is reported
What mL should the pt be voiding every 8 hours?
Greater than 240mL/hr, anything less is reported
What might dec hgb and hct levels indicate?
Blood loss or dilution of circulating volume by IV fluids
Venous stasis from dehydration, immobility, and pressure on leg veins during surgery put the patient at risk for:
DVT
What can the pt do to prevent thrombosis?
- Leg exercises and frequent position changes
- Avoid positions that compromise venous return (raising
the bed’s knee gatch, pillow under the knees, sitting
for long periods, and dangling the legs) - Venous return is promoted by antiembolism stockings
and early ambulation
How does ambulation reduce postoperative abdominal distention?
By increasing GI tract and abdominal wall tone and stimulating peristalsis
How does early ambulation affect pain?
Pain is often decreased with early ambulation