Pre,Intra, Post Surgery

Question 1

What is the purpose of Surgery?

Answer 1

Is for restorative/ reconstructive
Diagnosis (Biopsy)
Cosmetics (Rhinoplasty)

Question 2

What are some nursing considerations during the pre-op phase

Answer 2

1. Informed consent
2. Allergies
3. OBS trend are they stable?
4. Nutritional status (are they NBM? Foods can cause aspiration)
5. Habits/ Drinking/ Substance use
6. Presence of infection, COVID, Flu.
7. Psychological status
8. Psychological state (fear, anxiety, it can cause the pt to need more pain relief or sleepy)
9. Cultural considerations (return of body parts, hui before Surg)

Question 3

Why is informed consent important?

Answer 3

Ensures pt is competent to make decisions
Given sufficient information to make a decision.
They consented without bias.

Question 4

Intra Op: What are the nurses in operative?

Answer 4

Scrub nurse: Assists surg, monitors Pt and keeps a sterile field.
Circulating Nurse: Management of non-sterile equipment, labelling and documenting
RN 1st surg assistant: Works with the surgeon
Nurse Anesthetist: Airway management,

Question 5

Intra-Op: What is anesthesia and what are its types?

Answer 5

anesthesia is a medical procedure that prevents the transmission of pain to the brain. This is a temporary state of loss of sensation/ awareness to complete surgery.

General (Propfol) Major surg, Loss of sensation and LOC, require airway management
Regional (Bupivicane) Spinal/ epidural Less complication, monitoring of RR
Local (Lidocaine) Minor surgical loss of sensation, without LOC.

Question 6

Post-OP: What are the phases of the Post-Op?

Answer 6

PACU- Recovery + regain consciousness, ABCs, stable, Post Op education, reassurance.
Ward- FBC, Nutrition, Airway management, Vital signs, Emotional support, Pressure injury.
Discharge- Follow-up, Meds, management at home, emergencies what they need to know.

Question 7

What are themes of transfer from PACU and handover?

Answer 7

Obs, Alert, Wound site, Medications, IV, type of Anesthetic, Catheter, Surgical site stable, N/V, conscious

Question 8

List priorities in PACU?

Answer 8

Air wary, Breathing, Circulation, Obs, drain site/ tubes, Wound, mobility/extremities.

Question 9

What is the aim of post-op ward care:

Answer 9

Monitor and prevent complications, maintain body function, pain management, mobility, support, food and fluids.

Question 10

What are some Post-op considerations (6) AND list possible complications?

Answer 10

-Immobility (DVT) Pressure ulcers, pneumonia
- Fever infection (Inform, Blood cultures, urine and site the wound)
- Clexane or other oral anticoagulants
- Breathing excerise
- IDC draining, Flush/ irrigate
- Fluid and oral intake

Complications: Infection, Sepsis, Vaso-Vagal, Compartment Syndrome, Ortho hypo tension.