Surgical Complications Flashcards
what is atelectasis?
collapse of the alveoli
what are the signs of atelectasis?
fever, decreased breath sounds with rales, tachypnea, tachycardia, and increased density on CXR
what is atelectasis claim to fame?
most common cause of fever during PODs 1 and 2
what prophylactic measures can be taken to prevent atelectasis?
preoperative smoking cessation, incentive spirometry, good pain control
what is the treatment of atelectasis?
postoperative incentive spirometry, deep breathing, coughing, early ambulation, NT suctioning, and chest PT
what is postoperative respiratory failure?
respiratory impairment with increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, dyspnea
what is the treatment of postoperative respiratory failure?
supplemental O2, chest PT; suctioning, intubation, and ventilation of necessary
what is the initial workup of postoperative respiratory failure
ABG, CXR, EKG, pulse oximetry, and auscultation
what are the indications for intubation and ventilation
cannot protect airway, excessive work of breathing, progressive hypoxemia, progressive acidosis
what is the treatment of postoperative wheezing?
albuterol nebulizer
why may it be dangerous to give a patient with chronic COPD supplemental oxygen?
this patient uses relative hypoxia for respiratory drive and supplemental O2 may remove this drive
what is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
DVT that embolisms to the pulmonary arterial system
what is DVT?
deep vein thrombosis - a clot forming in the pelvic or Lower extremity veins
what are the sign/symptoms of DVT
lower extremity pain, swelling, tenderness, Homan’s sign, PE
what is Homan’s sign?
calf pain with dorsiflexion of the foot classically seen with DVT
what test is used to evaluate for DVT?
duplex ultrasonography
what is Virchow’s triad?
stasis
endothelial injury
hypercoaguable state
what are the signs/symptoms of PE?
shortness of breath, tachypnea, hypotension, CP, occasional fever, loud pulmonic component of S2, hemoptysis with pulmonary infarction
what are the associated lab findings with PE
ABG - decreased pO2 and pCO2 from hyperventilation
what diagnostic test is indicated for PE
CT angiogram
what are the X-ray signs associated with PE
- Westermark’s sign = wedge-shaped area of decreased pulmonary vasculature resulting in hyperlucency
- opacity with base at pleural edge from pulmonary infarction
what are the EKG findings associated with PE
most are abnormal
classic finding is:
- cor pulmonale = S1Q3T3 RBBB and right-axis deviation
EKG most commonly shows flipped T waves or ST depression
what is a ‘saddle’ embolus
PE that ‘straddles’ the pulmonary artery and is in the lumen of both the right and left pulmonary arteries
what is the treatment of PE if the patient is stable
anticoagulation - heparin followed by LT warfarin or Greenfield filter
what is an IVC filter
metallic filter placed into IVC via jugular vein to catch emboli prior to lodging in the pulmonary artery
when is an IVC filter indicated
if anticoagulation is contraindicated or patient has further PE on adequate anticoagulation or is high risk
what is the treatment of PE if the patient is unstable
consider thrombolytic therapy
consult thoracic surgeon for possible Trendelenberg operation’
consider catheter suction embolectomy
what is the Trendelenberg operation
pulmonary artery embolectomy
what is a ‘retrievable’ IVC filter
IVC filter that can be removed
what is aspiration pneumonia
pneumonia following aspiration of vomitus
what are the signs/symptoms of aspiration pneumonia
respiratory failure, CP, increased sputum production, fever, cough, mental status changes, tachycardia, cyanosis, infiltrate on CXR
what is the treatment of aspiration pneumonia?
bronchoscopy, abx if pneumonia develops, intubation if respiratory failure occurs, ventilation with PEEP if ARDS occurs
what is Mendelson’s syndrome
chemical pneumonitis secondary to aspiration of stomach contents
are prophylactic abx indicated for aspiration pneumonitis
NO
what are the risk factors for gastric dilatation?
abdominal surgery, gastric outlet obstruction, splenectomy, narcotics