Surgical Nursing Flashcards
Possible Harm from Surgical Procedures
-Introducing infection into the body
-Failure of the surgical technique
-Pain due to surgery
-Loss of function due to surgery
Sterile
Absence of any living microbes or spores
Asepsis
Absence of any microbes that cause infection
Surgical Conscience
-Commitment of the veterinary team to adhere strictly to the aseptic technique.
-Acknowledge breaches in technique and correct contamination (even if there are no witnesses).
Operating Scissors
Used to cut inanimate objects only, such as drape, suture
-Named based on tips: sharp-sharp; sharp-blunt; blunt-blunt
-Their design can be straight or curved
Mayo Scissors
Used for cutting large muscle masses, cartilage, non-delicate
tissue.
-Blades are thick & about 1/3 the instrument length
-Blades can be straight or curved
Metzenbaum Scissors
Used for delicate surgical dissection
-Blades are thin, delicate
-Shaft is long and thin
-Blades can be straight or curved
HEMOSTATS
-As name implies, used to aid in controlling hemostasis (stopping the flow of blood)
-Can have tips that are straight or curved
-Serrations that are horizontal, vertical, or combination
HALSTEAD MOSQUITO FORCEPS
-Generally used to clamp small vessels
-Small jaws with fine horizontal serrations extending the entire length of the jaw
-Straight and curved tips
KELLY HEMOSTATIC FORCEPS
-Larger than the mosquito
-Horizontal serrations are wider
+Only extend ½ the length of the jaw
+Curved and straight
-Used on medium-sized vessels or small tissue masses
ALLIS TISSUE FORCEPS
-Used for grasping tough tissue traumatically, or tissue being removed
-Claw-like tips
BACKHAUS TOWEL CLAMPS
-Used to secure sterile drapes to the patient
-Some have a penetrating design, sharp and pointed tips that pierce the patient’s skin to hold the drape in place
-Several kinds are available
-Most commonly used are backhaus
NEEDLE HOLDERS
-Only surgical instrument designed with specific intent of holding metal
-Only instrument that should be used to hold needles or to place scalpel blades onto scalpel handles
-Short jaws with roughened platform in the tips to allow for secure grip
MAYO-HEGAR Needle Holder
-Available in a variety of lengths, depending upon procedure and surgeon preference
-No cutting blades, the suture is cut with operating scissors
OLSEN-HEGAR Needle holders
-Scissors built into the jaws
+Allows suture to be cut without reaching for a separate instrument
+Inexperienced users may inadvertently cut suture material when trying to grasp the needle
SCALPEL BLADE HANDLES
#3 handle is used for…
#4 handle is used for…
3 is used for smaller animals, blades numbered 10-19
# 4 is used for large animals, blades numbered 20-29
THUMB TISSUE FORCEPS (never called tweezers!)
-Used to grasp and retract tissue on a short-term basis
-Tips can be toothed (traumatic) or smooth (atraumatic)
DEBAKEY Thumb Forceps
-Atraumatic forceps
+used only on delicate tissue
-Tips have no teeth
-Ridge or groove design
-Designed as cardiovascular forceps
ADSON-BROWN Thumb Forceps
-Tips have 2 parallel rows of nine shallow teeth
-Holding/manipulating delicate tissue
-Found in most general surgery packs
General Surgery Pack Formula
Surgical instruments of specific procedure
Gauze squares +/- laparotomy sponges
Sterilization indicator
+/- Surgical blade
+/- Suture material
Autoclaving
-Allow steam penetration throughout all surfaces
+Don’t pack too tightly
+Use mesh trays to separate from surfaces
-Prevent condensation of water
+Lie pouches and packs on edge (don’t stack horizontally)
+Dry completely before storing
Surgical Site Prep-Hair Removal
-Stabilize patient under anesthesia!!
-Position patient in prep room for accurate shaving, same position as for Sx
-Manually express bladder, if needed
-Clipping of hair should be done only with a clean, sharp surgical clipper blade
-Close set teeth for the closest possible shave, make certain no blade teeth are missing!
-Vacuum available & patient scrub containers ready
