Perioperative Nursing Flashcards
Perioperative Nurse
A nurse who identifies the physiological, psychological, and sociological needs of the surgical patient in order to restore or maintain the health and welfare of that patient before, during, and after surgical intervention
Surgery
-used to treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by operation and instrumentation
purpose of surgery
- diagnosis
- cure
- palliation
- prevention
- exploration
- cosmetic improvement
- transplant
-ectomy
excision/removal
-lysis
destruction of
-orrhaphy
repair or suture of
-oscopy
looking into
-ostomy
cutting into or incision of
-plasty
repair or reconstruction of
4 Distinct Phases
- Pre-operative
- Intra-operative
- Post-anesthesia
- Post-operative
Assessment
- Data collection
- Health hx
- Med review (anticoagulants)
- Nutritional status (Fluid volume, Ht/Wt)
- Pain
- ROM limitations (positioning during sx)
- Pre-op lab and diagnostic tests
- allergies
- baseline VS
Coping/Adaption
Health History Assessment
- Psychological
- Developmental
- Socio-cultural
- Spiritual
Psychological Assessment
stress and coping mechanisms
Developmental Assessment
age and gender
Socio-cultural assessment
- support system
- economics
- plans for convalescence
Spiritual assessment
- consider influence of religious and philosophical beliefs on surgical risk, or reaction to need for surgical intervention
- nonjudgmental nursing care
- consider pastoral care referral
Surgical Risks
- Age
- Nutritional status/weight
- Smoking
- ETOH/drug use
- Chronic steroid use
- Pre-existing conditions
- DM, thyroid, cardiac, and/or renal disease
Assessing Surgical Risk: Very young
Very young:
**loses water quickly being dehydrated
- poorly developed lungs
- increased risk of pulmonary problems,
Assessing Surgical Risk: Elderly
Elderly:
- thin skin prone to breakdown
- decrease gas exchange, vital capacity and cough reflex
- decreased arterial elasticity and increased plaque formation
- decreased GFR, decreased drug excretion
- loss of calcium from bones, prone to fractures
- dehydration and malnutrition may impair wound healing
Assessing Surgical Risk: Obese Patient
- excess adipose tissue and poor blood supply
- prolonged surgery
- prolonged excretion of anesthetic agent
- reduced ventilatory function
- slower healing process
Assessing Surgical Risk: Underweight Patient
may lack needed vitamins and proteins
- risk for poor wound healing and infection
- may be at risk for skin impairment with significance of bony prominences
Assessing Surgical Risk: Smoking
- decreases ciliary action
- nicotine constricts blood vessels
- decreased amount of functional hemoglobin
- secretions tend to sit in the chest intraoperatively
Assessing Surgical Risk: Excessive Alcohol
- affects liver function
- metabolism and detoxification of drugs may be delayed
- may have poor nutrition (delayed wound healing)
- at risk of alcohol withdrawal (DT’s)
- extreme hypermetabolic state, high temp, seizures
DTs
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, confusion, and hallucinations.
Surgical Risks: Pre-existing conditions
- bleeding disorders
- DM
- heart disease
- fever
- URI *already on ventilator during OR, harder to intubate them
- chronic respiratory disease
- liver disease (metabolize anesthetics)
- immune disorders
- renal insufficiency (excreting anesthesia)
- chronic steroid use
AORN
American operating room nurse association: Operating Room Care Standards
ASPAN
American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses: Perianesthesia Nursing Standards
WHO
World Health Organization: Guidelines for Safe Surgery
-10 essential objectives
JC
SCIP
Surgical Care Improvement Project
WHO’s Ten Essential Objectives
- operate on correct pt on correct site
- use methods known to prevent harm from administration of anesthetics while protecting pt from pain
- recognize and effectively prepare for life-threatening loss of airway or respiratory function
- recognize and effectively prepare for risk of high blood loss
- avoid inducing an allergic or adverse drug reaction
- use methods known to minimize risk for surgical site infections
- prevent inadvertent retention of instruments and sponges
- secure and identify all surgical specimens
- effectively communicate and exchange critical information
- establish routine surveillance of surgical results
Current SCIP Measures
1 - Preop antibiotic given within 1 hr before incision
2 - Must receive SCIP recommended prophylactic antibiotic
3 - Discontinue antibiotics within 24 hrs of anesthesia end time (cardiac op exception)
4 - Controlled 6 am postoperative serum glucose (cardiac only)
6 - Appropriate hair removal
Card-2 - Peri-operative beta-blocker therapy for pre B blocker Rx
VTE-2 - VTE prophylaxis within 24 hrs prior to or after anesthesia end
9 - Remove urinary catheter by potop day 2
10 - Temperature >96.8 F 15 minutes after anesthesia end time
SCIP 1-2-3 Antibiotics
- Given on time: 1 hour before incision, 2 hours Vancomycin and Levaquin, Ceflosporin
- Appropriate selection of antibiotic
- Discontinued within 24hrs after anesthesia end time except 48 hours for cardiovascular surgery
If antibiotic continued…
- provider must document reason to extend if applicable (ie infection, suspected infection)
- why? antibiotic must be present at time of fibrin formation (at surgical incision) for effectiveness
Cephalosporins
- broad spectrum of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative
- wide range of therapeutic to toxic dose
- inexpensive and easy to administer
- allergic rxns are rare
- after an incision is closed, antibiotics have no appreciable effect of preventing infections
SCIP 4
Blood glucose
SCIP 6
Hair Removal
Surgical Site Preparation:
- considered time sensitive
- usually an anti-infective shower the night before and the morning of surgery
- clippers in OR only- no other option
- why? shaving with a razor causes microscopic skin abrasions which may lead to infections
SCIP 9
Foley D/C
- discontinued by postop day 2 OR
- physician, PA, APN documented reason to continue beyond day 2 (ie: pts with urologic, gyne, perineal op)
- why? risk of UTI with increase use of urinary catheter
SCIP-Cardiac-2
**Beta Blocker
- continue if patient on home beta blocker therapy
- beta blocker may be given 24 hours prior to op or day of procedure
- beta blockers in the morning
- HR must be >= 50
- SBP must be >= 100
If beta blockers is held according to parameters….
physician, PA, APN reason must be documented
why: perioperative myocardial ischemia has been identified as the #1 risk factor for mortality after non-cardiac surgery
- attributed to the exaggerated sympathetic response leading to persistently elevated HR
- Has the potential to significantly reduce cardiac deaths for up to 2 years postoperatively
SCIP-VTE-2
Timing of VTE Prophylaxis
VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) Prophylaxis
- Mechanical and/or pharmacological prophylaxis is ordered according to VTE risk assessment tool and type of surgery
- Prophylaxis is given 24hrs prior to surgery or within 24 hours after anesthesia end time (guidelines on back of checklist)
If VTE Prophylaxis is contraindicated…
provider documentation required if contraindicated (ie open wound, bleeding risk)
-reduces the risk of development of PE and DVT
SCIP-10
Normothermia
- temperature management
- At least >= 96.8 F/36 C within 15 minutes of anesthesia end time or warmer used in OR
Exception with normothermia
Provider documentation of intentional hypothermia
- 3 times greater incidence of surgical site infections with hypothermia
- Delayed wound closure which results in prolonged hospitalization
Patient Centered Care: Pre-Op Nursing Diagnoses
- Anxiety/Fear
- Knowledge Deficit
- Risk for Infection
- Risk of Injury
Anxiety
- Look for cues of anxiety (physiological and behavioral)
- Nurse can allay anxiety:
- Therapeutic communication
- Determine source of anxiety
- Knowledge of the surgery, anesthesia, and their role
- Educate and clear up misconceptions
Fear
many causes for fear
- unknown: may be first surgery
- pain and pain management
- concern with body image/change in image
- death
- anesthesia
- disruption of life: having to be dependent on others
Knowledge Deficit
- Surgical Permit
- Pre-op Screenings and examinations
- foley catheter
- Pre-op diet and fluid restrictions
- Pre-op medications
- skin prep
- family support
Informed Consent
included in knowledge deficit
- completed by the physician and anesthesia
- risks, benefits, complications
- also what may occur without the procedure
Nursing role with Informed Consent
- verify that the HC provider has discussed these and has obtained the persons signature
- formulate pre-operative nursing diagnoses
- usually witnessed by the RN
Pre-operative Teaching
- Cough and Deep Breathing (incentive spirometer, air flow, anesthesia, prevent pneumonia, mucus build up, alveoli, opening them up for gas exchange)
- Leg exercises (circulation, prevent DVT)
- ROM
- Patient movement (splinting incision with cough, early ambulation, compression devices)
- Prevention of constipation (straining, anesthesia/narcotics causes)
- Surgical incision care (keep dry, no creams/lotions, mederma)
Risk for Infection
- ensuring pt completed a chlorohexidine bath
- use of clippers only to shave hair from surgical immediately prior to surgery, not day before (EBP), and only if absolutely necessary
- insertion and dressing of IV using aseptic technique
- bowel prep if indicated
Pre-op Checklist (Day of Surgery)
- Client teaching completed
- Consent form signed
- NPO
- in gown
- Allergy and ID bands on
- No jewelry-banded taped
- voiding prior to transfer
- pre-op meds
- side rails up after pre-op
- contact lens out
- dentures/bridges out
- nail polish removed
- vitals within 4 hours of surgery or 30 minutes after pre-op
- pre op labwork on chart
- abnormal lab values
- skin prep
- hx of ASA, antidepressant, steroid, NSAIDs
Risk for injury: Pre-op Diagnostic Studies
- Labs: electrolyte, H/H, BUN/Cr, Type and cross coagulation, blood sugar, ABG’s, total protein
- CXR or other XR
- EKG
- Pulmonary studies
- Pregnancy tests
Risk for injury: Pre-op Pharmacology
Purpose:
- facilitate effective anesthetics
- minimize respiratory tract secretions
- induce relaxation
- reduce anxiety
Pre-operative Medications
Instructions on what to do with routine, prescribed medications
Opiates
Narcotic Analgesic
Use: Administered to control moderate to severe pain during intraoperative and postoperative phase and can also be used for patient sedation
Nursing considerations:
-monitor for decreased LOC, which will eventually lead to respiratory depression
- monitor for decreased BP (tissue perfusion)
- opiate OD can be treated with Narcan/Naloxone
Antiemetic Medications
Use: decrease N/V when given during preoperative phase and decrease N/V from anesthesia when given during postop phase
Nursing considerations:
- monitor fluid and electrolytes
- monitor for diarrhea which is an adverse effect
- monitor for tachycardia and angina
H2 Receptor Antagonists
inhibits gastric secretion by inhibiting the action of histamine in the gastric parietal cells
- prevent peptic ulcers
- NPO, not eating and stomach still produces hydrochloric acid
- decreases risk of stress ulcers
- can be given IVP over at least 5 minutes, so usually given as an IVPB
- monitor renal function
Non-Narcotic Analgesics
Use: used to decrease mild or moderate pain. Lowers the patients pain level in the post op phase. Given in both the pre-op and post-op phase
Nursing Considerations:
-Watch pt for S/S of hepatotoxicity
-Monitor labs for liver function abnormalities
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Uses: sedatives to relax the patient (does not relieve pain) Benzos depress the CNS leading to sedation, skeletal muscle relaxation and anticonvulsant activity
Nursing considerations:
- Watch for adverse CNS effects like sedation
- Antidote for sedatives is Flumazenil (Romazicon)
- Watch baseline and regular liver function tests
- Give during the pre-op and intra-op phase
Anticholinergics
decreases oral and respiratory secretions by inhibiting action of acetylcholine in smooth muscle and the CNS
- dry up secretions (facial, lung, oral, colon surgeries)
- causes pupil dilation, use cautiously in pts with glaucoma
- increases HR, use cautiously in pts with cardiac issues
Antibiotics
Use: fight bacterial infections and lower the risk for surgical site infections
Nursing considerations:
- watch for anaphylaxis
- monitor renal, hepatic, and VS
- give during pre-op, intra-op and post-op phases
Morphine Sulfate
Opiate/Narcotic Analgesic
Fentanyl
Opiate/Narcotic Analgesic
- *Strongest narcotic
- 100x stronger than morphine
Hydromorphone
Dilaudid
Opiate/Narcotic Analgesic
**10x stronger than morphine
Ondansetron Hydrochloride
Zofran
Antiemetic
**going to work within first 2 times you give it. Don’t give it more than twice if it doesnt work
- preferred over phenergan due to LOC and loopy
- expensive
Promethazine
Phenergan
- IV and needs to be diluted, push very slowly
- can cause necrosis in veins
- Mid forearm up
- comes in suppository
Antiemetic
Cimetidine
Tagamet
H2 Receptor Antagonist
Famatidine
Pepcid
H2 Receptor antagonist
Rantitidine
Zantac
H2 Receptor Antagonist
Acetaminophen
Tylenol
Non-narcotic Analgesics
Midazolam
Versed
**Amnesic effect and no hangover feeling
-chosen more often over valium
Anti-Anxiety
Diazepam
Valium
Anti-Anxiety
Atropine sulfate
Atropine
**drug of choice for bradycardia
Anticholinergics
Hyoscine hydrobromide
Scopolamine
*comes in a patch behind ear
Anticholinergics
Glycopyrrolate bromide
Robinul
Anticholinergics
Cefazolin
Ancef
Antibiotic
Cefoxitin
mefoxin
Antibiotic