Perioperative Nursing Flashcards
What are the earliest recorded surgical procedures?
Circumcision and trepanation
Preoperative Phase
begins w/ the decision to proceed w/ surgical intervention and ends with the transfer of the patient onto the operating room table
What are the 4 categories of surgical procedures?
- Diagnostic
- Exploratory
- Curative
- Palliative
Diagnostic Surgery
used to confirm a diagnosis (biopsy)
Exploratory Surgery
to determine the extent of the disease
Curative Surgery
to remove or repair damaged or diseased tissue (ectomy)
Palliative Surgery
relieves symptoms to make patient comfortable, but does NOT cure
Emergent Surgery
patient requires IMMEDIATE surgery
-performed to maintain life, organ/limb function, remove a damaged organ, stop hemorrhage
Urgent Surgery
Surgery is imperative
- patient requires prompt attention
- performed within 24-30 hours
ex: acute gallbladder infection, kidney or urethral stones
What would prompt a legal case?
Physician delayed decision to perform surgery and the patient died
Required/Planned Surgery
Patient needs to have surgery, but timing is not immediate
- scheduled several weeks/months in advance
ex: prostatic hyperplasia, thyroid disorders, cataracts
Elective Surgery
Patient should have surgery, but failure to have surgery is not catastrophic
ex: repair of scars, simple hernia, vaginal repair (cosmetics)
What does a nurse look at for a preoperative nursing assessment?
Nutritional and Fluid Status
Drug/Alcohol use
Psychosocial Factors
Spiritual/Cultural Beliefs
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome or Delirium Tremens
- anticipated b/t 48-72 hours after alcohol withdrawal
- increased mortality rate postop
- contributed to cardiac dysrhythmias and bleeding tendencies
What are the 5 fears associated with Psychosocial Factors?
Fear of unknown Fear of death/pain Fear of anesthesia Fear of cancer Fear of loss of job
Informed Consent
the patient’s autonomous decision about whether to undergo a surgical procedure
-consent is a legal mandate
What are 3 rules for informed consent?
- Consent must be given voluntarily
- Refusing to undergo a surgical procedure is a person’s legal right and privilege
- Required for invasive procedures, any procedure requiring sedation, and nonsurgical procedures such as a heart cath
Who is responsible for explaining the procedure, the risks, and the benefits?
the physician
What is the nurses job with informed consent?
to make sure the consent form is signed, in a prominent place on the patients chart, and accompanies the patient to the OR
What is part of the preoperative checklist?
Bloodwork Vital signs Hospital gown Dentures removed Voided Consent Sign
How recently should vital signs have been checked for preop checklist?
within 15 minutes of departure
What blood work should be completed for preop checklist?
CBC-total hematocrit, WBC, platelets
MBP-electrolytes
Chest X-ray
What body systems are important to assess preop?
respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine systems
What should the nurse include in patient teaching preop?
- Deep breathing, coughing, incentive spirometry
- Mobility
- Pain management
- Nutrition and fluids
What is the progression of the patients diet postop?
NPO–Clear liquids– Full liquids– soft– diet prior to surgery
What should the nurse discuss with the patient’s family?
- inform about the “waiting area”
- Never judge the seriousness of an operation by the length of time a patient is in the OR
- Discuss Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)