Module 2 Flashcards
Postural changes may alter lung volumes, ventilation, and pulmonary blood flow
Redistribution of V/Q (Ventilation/perfusion)
Worsened by the majority of surgical positions
Anesthetic respiratory depression
Dependent lung (bottom) is better perfused, while independent lung (top) is better ventilated
V/Q mismatching
FRC (functional residual capacity) and TLC (total lung capacity) are decreased in this position
Supine position
Improved oxygenation, improved V/Q mismatching, and ventilation is more uniformed because abdominal organs are not pushing down on lungs in this position (commonly used to treat ARDS)
Prone Position
This position alters V/Q mismatching and can impact oxygenation
Lateral Position
This position limits diaphragmatic movement because all abdominal organs are pushing down on diaphragm and lungs causing a decreased FRC
Lithotomy Position
Nerve transection that occurs as a result of surgical maneuver or traumatic injury; Cutting the nerve.
Transection Nerve injury
What injury occurs when a nerve is forced against a bony prominence or hard surface such as an arm board or OR table
Compression Nerve Injury
Most common compressed nerve
Ulnar Nerve
What injury can cause excessive elongation of a nerve may cause conduction changes, axonal disruption, or interruption of vascular supply
Stretching/ Traction nerve injury
Muscle relaxants may contribute to this injury by allowing increase mobility of joints
Stretching/ Traction nerve injury
Most commonly affects the brachial plexus nerve
Stretching/ Traction nerve injury
This nerve root (C8-T1) injury is the second most common post op injury; most vulnerable to injury if the arm is abducted, arm board falls off, the head is rotated away from arm, and if shoulder straps are used in steep Trendelenburg because it causes stretching and compression
Brachial Plexus
Abduct arms less than 90 degrees, avoid shoulder compression, and keep head midline
To avoid stretching injury
When a peripheral nerve is pinched between two immovable structures
Kinking
Blood flow that can be interrupted by stretch, compression or transection injury
Nerve Injury
Common component of all peripheral nerve injury
Ischemia
Form of preventing injuries
Ensure PPP (pressure points padded)
Most frequently reported injury after surgery; patient will have “claw hand” and loss of abduction/adduction of fingers
Ulnar neuropathy
Use padding, place arms in supinated position (palms up), and abduct arms less than 90 degrees. Or patient’s arms tucked at side of the body in neutral position with palms facing inward. Pronation (palms down) increases pressure on ulnar nerve
Prevention of Ulnar neuropathy
Compresses neural and vascular structures and may cause compartment syndrome
Improper placement of axilla roll
Nerve injury that can occur when legs are improperly placed in candy cane stirrups
Peroneal nerve injury
Contribute to postoperative positioning complications; weight of body causes external compression of dependent tissue and states of low perfusion
Prolonged surgical procedures
Under which anesthetic technique is the patient unable to respond to painful stimuli generated by uncomfortable body positions
General Anesthesia
The brachial plexus consist of what nerve roots?
Primary C8 – T1
Name anatomical location of the brachial plexus and what happens with brachial plexus injury?
Fixed first rib, clavicle and humerus,compression of nerves between these locations
Precautions that help prevent brachial plexus injury include
Arm abduction <90o
Avoid shoulder braces
Maintain head midline
In the lateral decubitus position, injury to the brachial plexus is most commonly the result of
Excessive stretching
Causes of brachial plexus excessive stretching include
Abduction >90o
External rotation
Extension and lateral flexion of the head
Posterior shoulder displacement
What positioning device can relieve pressure of the brachial plexus
Axillary roll
To prevent brachial plexus injury during cardiac surgical procedures
what is the placement of sternal retractor and avoidance measures
Placement of sternal retractor is Caudad
Avoidance of prolonged asymmetric chest wall retraction.
The supine position is also called
Dorsal Decubitus
What position would you put the patient for surgery of abdomen, head, neck, extremities
Supine
How should the head be positioned
Neutral position, with small pillow or donut
If a patient has severe arthritis, neuropathy, and ↓ mobility of head or neck. How should Pt be positioned
To his or her preference prior to induction of anesthesia
When using an arm board it is important to use padding and place hands in what position
Supinated
Post op back pain is caused by
The relaxation of ligaments of the vertebral column, use pillow under knees to provide comfort
Utilize beach chair position
During prolonged surgery what should you do to the head
Reposition and massage occiput to prevent alopecia.
Crossing the legs during surgery can cause injury to
Superior peroneal nerve –dependent extremity
Sural nerve – superior extremity
Where is the head in trendelenberg
Head down position
Where is the head in reverse trendelenberg
Head up position
Trendelenberg position is used to increase what cardiovascular effect
venous return
This position is used to supplement the primary surgical position and improve surgical exposure
Trendelenberg
This position causes increase in central venous, intraocular and intracranial pressure,
Trendelenberg
Trendelenberg can cause _______ to face, tongue, oropharynx, and eyes.
Edema
Trendelenberg should not be used when
Arms are extended on arm boards
Avoid using this positioning device in trendelenberg
Shoulder brace
If use of steep reverse trendelenberg is necessary this positioning device should be used
Foot board
What type of position would you place your patient for laparoscopic surgery
Reverse Trendelenberg
Lithotomy position is used to access what anatomical structure
Perineal
In lithotomy position how are the legs positioned
Legs are in flexion and abduction above the level of the torso
What are the types of lithotomy positioning
Low, standard high, exaggerated, and hemi-lithotomy
When positioning for lithotomy, legs should be
Elevated and lowered simultaneously
What nerve injury can occur from incorrect positioning of lithotomy
Peroneal injury
Raising and lowering the legs separately can cause
Hip dislocation, spinal torsion, and post op back pain
Flexion of the hips more than 90o in the lithotomy position can cause
Stretching of the sciatic and obturator nerves
Use of exaggerated lithotomy can cause
Compression of femoral canal and stretch of the sciatic nerve
While using leg holders which nerves can be affected
Peroneal and saphenous nerve
Lateral Decubitus is used for surgeries involving
The thorax, and kidneys when the supine position cannot provide sufficient exposure
How should you position for a nephrectomy
Lateral decubitus position, with kidney rest elevated, and flexion of the table
Body alignment is vital, who coordinates the positioning of the patient
The anesthetist