Perioperative Nursing (the whole shebang!) - Unit 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between major and minor surgery?

A

Major is like having heart surgery. Minor is like if you have tubes put in your ear!

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2
Q

What are some types of surgery?

A

Exploratory/Diagnostic/Biopsy, Curative, Elective

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3
Q

Do people get anxious and stressed before a procedure?

A

Yes - and we need to try our best to reduce it!

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4
Q

What are the 2 most important assessors of disease and risk during surgery?

A

History and physical!

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5
Q

What is the purpose of the patient interview before surgery?

A

Let’s see if the patient knows what’s going on!

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6
Q

What are some parts of the history and physical assessment before surgery?

A

Vital signs, past surgical history/general anesthesia issues, allergies, nutritional/body state, fluid and electrolyte balance and infections.

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7
Q

Are there certain habits that can cause problems for a patient during surgery?

A

Yup, things like smoking and all that can cause problems!

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8
Q

What are parts of the pre-op legal preparations? (Along with what happens if a person can’t sign…)

A

We have to make sure we have informed consent (where even if they can’t sign, they can put an X if 2 people witness it) and if applicable, a DNR form.

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9
Q

What are parts of the day of surgery preparation?

A

Physical preparation, medications, preoperative checklist/transport to the OR

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10
Q

What is a surgical TIME OUT?

A

This is when someone pauses the surgery and goes over the procedure, etc.

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11
Q

Anesthesia - not just drugs, it’s a ___.

A

Process.

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12
Q

Anesthesia is the half-asleep, watching the half-awake. T/F?

A

True!

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13
Q

A good anesthetic is when the patient is more asleep than you are. T/F?

A

True!

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14
Q

What is conscious sedation?

A

This is when you have minor surgery and are kind of knocked out, but not totally. You are in “la-la land.” You can still move and do stuff but you probably won’t remember it. Meds given here are like versed!

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15
Q

Regional Anesthetic - what is it?

A

This is when a region is knocked out - like for carpal tunnel surgery. Drugs given here usually the “caine” drugs. This type of surgery reduces the risk of blood clots, etc.

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16
Q

What is a general anesthetic?

A

This is when you are knocked the fuck out! You will need respiratory support and all that jazz!

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17
Q

What are the 4 stages of anesthesia?

A

Analgesia (induction)
Excitement (uncontrolled movements)
Operative (you better be intubated!)
Danger (uh oh!)

18
Q

What are some complications of the anesthesia?

A

Well, we want to do the least we can, so if we go overboard, or give too much, etc……

19
Q

Anesthesia Awareness - aka “Unintentional Intraoperative Awareness” - what is it?

A

That’s when you wake up during surgery, but you might not be able to move or anything…that’s effing scary! These people might even have PTSD from it!

20
Q

What are some risks in surgery for elderly people?

A

Skin integrity, so we have to be careful on how we position them!

21
Q

What does the circulating nurse do?

A

She basically runs the show in the OR!

22
Q

Once transferred to PACU, what should the nurse do?

A

Look at vitals - sats, HR - everything! Do they have signs of shock?

23
Q

What could be some immediate postoperative complications?

A

PONV, neurological problems, hypothermia, malignant hyperthermia (bad bad bad), and always check their ABC’s.

24
Q

What is EBL during surgery?

A

Estimated blood loss during surgery!

25
Q

Emesis is the postoperative outcome least preferred by patients. T/F?

A

True!

26
Q

What are some ways to reduce the nausea and vomiting?

A

Zofran, Ginger, Peppermint Oil - even chewing peppermint gum after surgery can help!

27
Q

What are some things to do/check during post-op care?

A

Rapid assessment (the important stuff!), vital signs and focused assessment, safety, pain, dressing, any drains?, Iv fluids, I/O.

28
Q

If the patient hasn’t peed for _ to _ hours after surgery, it could be bad.

A

8-12.

29
Q

Should we get patients up and moving and coughing/using spirometry as soon as possible after surgery?

A

Yes! We should!

30
Q

Temperature elevations after surgery are due to wind, water and then the wound. T/F?

A

True!

31
Q

What are some complications related to surgery?

A

Pulmonary problems (maybe a pulmonary embolism, which can mimic a heart attack!), cardiovascular problems, hypothermia, pain (which is what the patient says it is!), fluid and electrolyte imbalance, incisional problems, etc.

32
Q

What is “dehiscence” (Wound) ?

A

That’s when there’s a wound that has opened up, but not all the way!

33
Q

What is evisceration? (Wound)?

A

That’s when the wound has completely opened up and you might have things coming out of it, like intestines!

34
Q

What happens when you have an eviscerated wound? How do you care for it?

A

You cover it with wet saline - just keep it protected until the surgeon gets there!

35
Q

If you think there surgery site has opened up during a walk, what do you do?

A

You take them back to their room, have them put their legs up, and then look! Don’t do it in the middle of the hall!

36
Q

What is a penrose drain?

A

It’s a drain that looks like a flat straw! It pulls the fluid out!

37
Q

What is a jackson pratt drain?

A

It’s like a little grenade - it sucks the shit out!

38
Q

What is a hemavac drain?

A

It looks like a disc - it pulls the shit out!

39
Q

What are vac drains?

A

They are electronic drains that suction the shit out!

40
Q

What are some parts of discharge teaching for patients?

A

Diet, activity, prescriptions, complications to look for, sexual activity, special exercises, visits with the surgeon, removal of sutures, care of the incision, etc.