Perioperative Nursing Flashcards
Surgery performed to resolve a health problem by repairing or removing the cause
Curative
Surgery performed to determine the origin and cause of a disorder or the cell type for cancer
Dagnositc
Surgery performed to improve a patient’s functional ability
Restoritive
Surgery performed to relieve the symptoms of a disease process, but not to cure the disease
Palliative
Surgery performed primarily to alter or enhance personal appearance
Cosmetic
Surgery planned for correction of a nonacute problem
Elective
Surgery that requires prompt intervention; may be life threatening if treatment is delayed more than 24-48 hours
Urgent
Surgery requiring immediate intervention because of life-threatening consequences
Emergent
Type of procedure where only the most overtly affected areas are involved in the surgery
Simple
Extensive surgery beyond the area obviously involved
Radical
What is the purpose of radical surgery?
Finding a rot cause of the problem
Surgery performed in a body cavity or body area through one or more endoscopes; can correct the problems, remove organs, take tissue for biopsy, reroute blood vessels and drainage systems
Minimally invasive surgery
What are the benefits for the patient of ambulatory surgery?
Less anesthesia, less healing time, smaller scars, less hospital stay, less opioid medications
Why are older patients at an increased risk for complications in surgery?
The normal aging process decreases immune system functioning and delays wound healing
When anesthetizing a patient, what do you specifically have to ask them about?
Cardiac disease and problems
What kinds of complications are more likely to occur in older patients?
Pulmonary
What should the preoperative nurse be assessing her patients for?
Current health problems, potential complications related to anesthesia, and potential complications that may occur after surgery
Which electrolyte imbalance is absolutely critical to correct before surgery?
Potassium
What does anesthesia do?
Blocks nerve impulses, suppresses reflexes, promotes muscle relaxation
When and where does the induction phase of anesthesia occur?
In the waiting room before the surgery
What is done during the induction stage of anesthesia?
Prep, put in the IV, consent must be done, pre-medications
What occurs during the maintenance phase of anesthesia?
Positioning of patient, prepping the skin, surgical procedure
What occurs during the emergence phase of anesthesia?
Reversal or decrease of drugs causes patient to awaken
Loss of sensation in an area of the body due to a nerve block of multiple peripheral nerves
Regional anesthesia
Loss of sensation at application site only
Local anesthesia
In a patient with spinal anesthesia, what do you have to watch especially for?
Respiratory paralysis, drop in blood pressure, and loss of sensation in fingers and toes
How can respiratory paralysis be prevented in patients with spinal anesthesia?
Elevation of the upper body
Why does spinal anesthesia cause a drop in blood pressure?
Vasodilation associated with the block
Anesthesia that depresses the level of consciousness while allowing maintenance of reflexes
Conscious Sedation
What is the nurse’s responsibilities for a patient in conscious sedation?
Monitor and check the airway, LOC, O2 saturation and ECG
What increases the risks of anesthesia?
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance, respiratory complications, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, renal disease, and sleep apnea
Why does sleep apnea increase the risk of anesthesia?
Can’t metabolize anesthesia well
Why does obesity increase the risk of anesthesia?
Patients are often malnourished and the meds are desponsited in the fatty tissue
What happens during surgery to mess up fluid and electrolyte balances?
Increase in ADH and aldosterone, stress hormones are released, and platelet aggregation increases
Why are malnourished patients at a higher risk of surgical complications?
Negative nitrogen balance can cause impaired healing