Perioperative nursing (SA15) Flashcards
What is the purpose of post op management?
- Recover patient from anaesthesia
- Prevent/manage post-op complications
- Identify new problems rapidly
- Ensure patient welfare
Why does the procedure performed need to be included in a handover?
- Recovery nurse can understand possible complications and considerations
- Considerations and requirements written on patient records
When do most anaesthetic deaths occur and what is important to manage and reduce this?
- Recovery period
- Important to record progression of recovery
- Report concerns quickly
What does the recovery nurse need to ensure in preparation for removing an ET tube?
- Check cuff is deflated
- Tie removed
When should the ET tube be removed in dogs?
- When gag/cough reflex returns
- When dog first swallows
When should the ET tube be removed in cats and rabbits? Why?
- Just before gag/cough reflex returns
- Reduce risk of laryngospasm
- When ear twitch reflex returns on cats
How should patients be positioned during recovery?
- Does not restrict airway or breathing
- Lateral recumbency with head and neck extended
- Some need sternal recumbency to aid breathing and prevent atelectasis
- Brachycephalics in sternal with chin elevated
- Can tolerate ETT in place until awake to reduce risk of respiratory obstruction
How long should patients have close and continuous observations during recovery?
- Until lifting head
- Responds to verbal stimulation
How long should patients have frequent monitoring?
- Until fully recovered
When should vital signs be monitored and recorded during recovery?
- Immediately after handover
- At 15 minute intervals until patient is fully recovered
- If concerns arise, can record more frequently
Which vital signs should be monitored and recorded during recovery?
- Extubation time
- Temperature
- MM colour, CRT
- Peripheral pulse quality
- Pulse/HR
- RR
- BP if hypo/hypertensive during surgery
- Demeanour
Why should significant parameter changes be reported to the veterinary surgeon?
- Complications may be occuring
- Can be life threatening, highest risk in recovery
Why must multiple parameters be monitored and recorded throughout recovery?
- Increase information obtained
- Monitor trends
- Limited from single, one off measurements
- Miss indications until problem progressed
What may decreasing blood pressure with increasing heart rate indicate?
Hypovolaemia
What may increasing heart rate, respiration rate and blood pressure signify?
Pain
What is a common complication following general anaesthesia?
- Hypothermia
- Active warming may be necessary
- Heat pads, warm air blankets, extra bedding, bubble wrap
What is the risk of using hot hands?
- Risk of thermal injuries if bursts or are too hot
What are the complications of prolonged hypothermia?
- Surgical site infections
- Nosocomial infections
- Prolonged action of drugs
- Delayed recovery
- Shivering
How does shivering affect the patients oxygen demand?
- Increased oxygen demand up to 300%
What treatment instructions should be included in the hand over?
- New medications
- Changes to current medications
- Medication times/frequency
- Medication given during procedure
- Pain management (score/analgesia)
- Care for bandages
- Catheter, tube, drain instructions
- IVFT requirements/changes
What common post op complication is caused by patients and how can this be prevented?
- Wound, catheter, tube, drain interference
- Elizabethan collar, pet medical shirt
What is the difference between the IVFT requirements for a healthy routine procedure vs. significant haemorrhage?
- Healthy, routine, normotensive may discontinue IVFT post op
- Significant haemorrhage during surgery will have more complex IVFT and monitoring requirements
What things can indicate pain?
- Do not move when urinating in kennel
- Inappetence
- Uncharacteristic aggression
- Changes in behaviour
- Crying out in pain
Where should rabbits be recovered and why?
- Prey species
- Prep room may be shared with predator species
- Can cause extreme stress, detrimental for recovery
- Recover somewhere quiet
- Exotics ward, portable carrier in quiet area