Periop Safety Equipment Focus

Question 1

Potential sources of fuel for surgical fires include:

Answer 1

• Patient and staff linens and drapes
• Prep solutions
• Skin degreasers/ tinctures/ aerosols
• Body tissues and patient hair
• Intestinal gases

Question 2

Basic steps in fire safety in the correct order:

Answer 2

R – Rescue patients and staff that are in immediate danger
A – Pull the alarm – or call 911
C – Confine the fire – shut all doors
E – Evacuate

Question 3

Handling Electrosurgical Equipment

Methods to prevent an unsafe situation, mishap, or fire when using electrosurgical equipment include:

Answer 3

• Do not use in an oxygen-enriched environment, such as the trachea or when oxygen is being “blown over” a patient.
• Allow enough time for skin preparation solutions that are flammable or contain alcohol to thoroughly dry.
• Visually check the integrity and insulation of all cords and coagulation instruments before use.

Question 4

The following steps can be used to reduce personnel exposure to and risk of fire for specimen fixatives such as formalin.

Answer 4

• Avoid splashing while pouring.
• Avoid skin contact by wearing gloves during handling and pouring.
• If skin contact occurs, wash thoroughly with water.
• Wear a protective mask to avoid inhaling fumes, and pour only in a well-ventilated room or under a flow hood.
• Wear protective goggles to avoid eye contact.
• If eye contact occurs, flush immediately and thoroughly with water before getting medical attention.
• Use absorbent material and then triple-rinse with water any area or surface where accidental formalin spillage occurs.
• Store in a dedicated area away from medications, sterile supplies, and food supplies.
• Store fixatives securely so they are inaccessible to persons unfamiliar with their proper use.

Question 5

To reduce personnel exposure to specimen fixatives such as formalin the perioperative nurse should:

Answer 5

• Avoid splashing while pouring.
• Avoid skin contact by wearing gloves during handling and pouring.
• If skin contact occurs, wash thoroughly with water.
• Wear a protective mask and goggles

Question 6

The best strategy to reduce the risk associated with ignition of prep solution vapor is to _________.

Answer 6

allow the prep solution to completely dry and for the vapors to dissipate BEFORE draping.

Question 7

Pneumatic tourniquet documentation includes:

Answer 7

• pneumatic tourniquet system identification serial number,
• limb occlusion pressure (LOP),
• cuff pressure,
• skin protection measures,
• location of tourniquet cuff,
• skin integrity under the cuff before and after use of the pneumatic tourniquet
• time of inflation and deflation,
• assessment and evaluation of the entire extremity