pre/post operative nursing

Question 1

things to assess post-operative care

Answer 1

• Airway
  -Breathing
  -Circulation
  -Level of Consciousness
• Vital signs including SaO2

Question 2

how to assess and plan for respiratory complications

Answer 2

assess
-breathing
- restless and confused
- activity tolerance
plan
- deep breathing and coughing
- Incentive spirometry
-Early mobilisation

Question 3

how to assess and plan for cardiovascular complications

Answer 3

Assess for:
-Blood pressure, heart rate,
-Skin temperature and perfusion
-Fluid balance deficit/overload
plan -
-Balanced fluid balance
- formation; to promote cardiac output
-Heparin therapy
-Bladder scan

Question 4

how to assess and plan for integumentary complications

Answer 4

Assess for:
-Operative site healing
- infection
plan:
-Monitor dressing for drainage
-Change dressing according to protocol
-Daily hygiene: facilitate/assist as necessary

Question 5

Preoperative Fasting requirements

Answer 5

• Clear fluids (max 200 ml/hr) up to 2 hours before surgery
• Light breakfast up to 6 hours before surgery
• Only approved medications

Question 6

Regional anaesthesia (RA) main points

Answer 6

• Used for major surgery
• No loss of consciousness
• Blocks pain experience

Question 7

Local anaesthesia (LA) main points and name example

Answer 7

• Used for minor surgery
• no loss of consciousness
  Eg Lignocaine