Post Operative Care Flashcards
A fever on day 1 post op is usually what?
Drug fever
Fever associated with the trauma of surgery
What are some causes of post abdo operation vomiting?
Ileus (lack of bowel propulsion)
Small bowel obstruction
Ischaemic or infarcted bowel
Gastric dilatation
Drugs
What can you do if a patient is anuric?
Check for blocked catheter
Assess for hypovolemia
?Bleed
Give a fluid challenge
What is gelofusine?
A plasma expander given for volume loss
Colloid fluid
What are some causes of post operative confusion?
Hypoxia
Sepsis
Drugs
DVTs
Metabolic eg uraemia, hyponatraemia, hypo/hyper glycaemia
Substance withdrawal
A fever on day 3 is usually what?
Atalectasis causing low grade lung infection
What is wound dehiscence?
Surgical complication in which the wound ruptures along a line of sutures
Where does the tip of the catheter lie with picc lines?
Basilic into the SVC
When do you usually remove staples or sutures?
1-2 weeks post op
What might you consider if there is excessive fluid output for a drain?
Irrigation fluid
Ascites
Urine
Pancreatic fistula
Bile leak
Lymph leak
How do you judge fluid balance?
Urine output
JVP, HR, BP
Where is a central venous cannula inserted?
Internal jugular vein or subclavian vein
What is the WHO analgesia ladder?
Paracetamol < Paracetamol + codeine < Endone < Morphine
What is the ideal urine output post operatively?
>30ml/hour
1-2ml/kg/hour
When is it normal to remove surgical drains?
In for 5 days
