Pre and Post-OP Care Flashcards
what are the standard preoperative tests?
CBC w/ electrolytes
ECG - if above 40 or with history of cardiac dz
CXR
what type of anesthesia has fewer pulmonary complications?
spinal anesthesia
what patients is spinal anesthesia dangerous in?
pts with CAD
marginal cardiac reserve w/ low EF
valvular heart dz
diabetic peripheral vascular disease w/ neuropathy
why is spinal anesthesia dangerous in pts with cardiac problems?
loss of peripheral vasoconstriction ability leads to hypotension and inability to increase CO
major drawbacks of general anesthesia
increased incidence of pulmonary complications
mild cardiodepression
how long before surgery should a patient stop taking.. Aspirin (1)? NSAIDs (2)?
- 7-10 days (irreversible)
2. 2 days (reversible effect)
what should be done prior to surgery in someone with history of previous MI?
cardiology consultation w/ possible exercise stress test and cardiac catheterization may be necessary prior to surgery
what pre-op precaution should be taken in a diabetic?
since pt is NPO after midnight, diabetics should receive IVF w/ dextrose
which drugs should not be given to a diabetic the morning of their surgery?
oral hypoglycemic drugs i.e. sulfonylureas
what do you do if an insulin-dep diabetic has a blood glucose > 250 mg/dL on morning of surgery? if glucose is < 250 mg/dL?
- give 2/3 of morning dose of NPH and regular insulin
2. give 1/2 of morning dose
what do you do pre-op if a pt has a low hematocrit?
reason for anemia must be determined and surgery post-poned until then
what do you do pre-op if a pt has a high hematocrit?
ensure proper hydration
tx. underlying cause before surgery
optimal perioperative blood glucose levels
100-250 mg/dL
- if higher than these values, should delay surgery until glucose under control
what are patients with poorly controlled DM at risk for post-op?
increased risk of wound infections
what do you do if a patient presents for surgery and on PE you find cellulitis from an infected hair follicle in his axilla?
elective surgery should be post-poned until acute infection is resolved, regardless of its location; otherwise, this significantly increases risk of wound infection
can you operate on someone who has a UTI?
no - surgery should be postponed until UTI has been treated w/ antibiotics and repeat UA and culture indicate resolution
what is diastolic BP > 110 a risk factor for?
development of CV complications such as malignant HTN, acute MI and CHF
how should you manage high BP perioperatively?
pt should continue on antihypertensive medications on the day of surgery - BB may reduce risk of cardiac complications following surgery
recommendations for a smoker about to undergo elective surgery?
6-8 weeks of abstinence can decrease post-op respiratory morbidity so patient should be advised to quit smoking prior to elective surgeries
what ABG results are associated with increased perioperative morbidity?
PaCO2 > 45 mmHg
PaO2 < 60 mmHg
can you do laparscopic surgery in a pt with compromised pulmonary status?
no… increased CO2 absorption through blood requires excretion from lungs and increases pulmonary work
five factors that are used to predict risk for cardiac complications after vascular surgery
- Q waves on ECG
- history of ventricular ectopy requiring tx
- hx of angina
- DM
- age > 70
MCC of post-op early death following LE revascularization
MI
if pt has prior history of MI and is being qualified for vascular surgery, what should be done?
- ECG
- persantine thallium stress test or dobutamine echo
- if reversible ischemia is present, pt should undergo cardiac catheterization prior to surgery