Surgical Nursing

Question 1

Possible Harm from Surgical Procedures

Answer 1

-Introducing infection into the body
-Failure of the surgical technique
-Pain due to surgery
-Loss of function due to surgery

Question 2

Sterile

Answer 2

Absence of any living microbes or spores

Question 3

Asepsis

Answer 3

Absence of any microbes that cause infection

Question 4

Surgical Conscience

Answer 4

-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).

Question 5

Operating Scissors

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Mayo Scissors

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Metzenbaum Scissors

Answer 7

Used for delicate surgical dissection
-Blades are thin, delicate
-Shaft is long and thin
-Blades can be straight or curved

Question 8

HEMOSTATS

Answer 8

-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

Question 9

HALSTEAD MOSQUITO FORCEPS

Answer 9

-Generally used to clamp small vessels
-Small jaws with fine horizontal serrations extending the entire length of the jaw
-Straight and curved tips

Question 10

KELLY HEMOSTATIC FORCEPS

Answer 10

-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

Question 11

ALLIS TISSUE FORCEPS

Answer 11

-Used for grasping tough tissue traumatically, or tissue being removed
-Claw-like tips

Question 12

BACKHAUS TOWEL CLAMPS

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

NEEDLE HOLDERS

Answer 13

-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

Question 14

MAYO-HEGAR Needle Holder

Answer 14

-Available in a variety of lengths, depending upon procedure and surgeon preference
-No cutting blades, the suture is cut with operating scissors

Question 15

OLSEN-HEGAR Needle holders

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

SCALPEL BLADE HANDLES
#3 handle is used for…
#4 handle is used for…

Answer 16

3 is used for smaller animals, blades numbered 10-19

# 4 is used for large animals, blades numbered 20-29

Question 17

THUMB TISSUE FORCEPS (never called tweezers!)

Answer 17

-Used to grasp and retract tissue on a short-term basis
-Tips can be toothed (traumatic) or smooth (atraumatic)

Question 18

DEBAKEY Thumb Forceps

Answer 18

-Atraumatic forceps
+used only on delicate tissue
-Tips have no teeth
-Ridge or groove design
-Designed as cardiovascular forceps

Question 19

ADSON-BROWN Thumb Forceps

Answer 19

-Tips have 2 parallel rows of nine shallow teeth
-Holding/manipulating delicate tissue
-Found in most general surgery packs

Question 20

General Surgery Pack Formula

Answer 20

Surgical instruments of specific procedure
Gauze squares +/- laparotomy sponges
Sterilization indicator
+/- Surgical blade
+/- Suture material

Question 21

Autoclaving

Answer 21

-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

Question 22

Surgical Site Prep-Hair Removal

Answer 22

-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