Test 8 Electricity In Surgery Flashcards
What is matter?
Anything that has mass and occupies space
Made of atoms
Nucleus: protons -positive charge
Neutrons- neutral
Electrons- negative (smaller)
What is electron theory?
Behavior of electrons
Electrons move from shell to shell
What are the Basic laws of electricity?
Opposite charges attract
Like charges repel
Energy never lost or destroyed
Energy goes from negative to positive
How do we control temp in OR room?
Temperature= 68-73 F
Humidity= 20-60%
What is conductivity?
The ability of a material to release free electrons
What do insulators do?
Inhibit flow of electrons
Poor conductors
Cover and provide a path for current
Rubber, plastic, wood
What are conductors?
Materials that allow the flow of free electrons
Surgical lamps, ESU, power drills contain copper wire
Good- copper, silver, gold, blood
Bad- paper, air, glass
What is electrical charge?
To many or to few electrons on an atom
Like charges repel
Unlike charges attract
What is a magnetism field?
Found in atoms orbit the nucleus
Travel in opposite directions- neutral effect
Travel in same direction- fields are combined
But not electricity
Iron, nickel, and cobalt are naturally occurring magnetic substances
What are electromagnetics?
Metals that become magnetic when a conductor is wrapped around them
Can create electricity
Volt
Electrical potential
Voltage
Potential energy of electron between two points
Battery or generator measured in Amps
Amp
Unit of electric current
Circuit
Electricity flows from energy source to device to energy source
Open circuit- light off
Closed circuit- lights on
Power
The rate at which work is done
Measured in watts to kilowatts
Load
The device that uses the electricity to perform a function
Surgical lamps, ESU, power drills, robots, monitors
Switch
The device used to open or close a circuit and controls the flow of electricity
Resistance
Restricting the flow of current
What are the 3 types of current?
Current- measured in AMPS
Direct current- flows one direction
Alternating current- both directions
What are 4 ways to protect yourself?
Insulators
Current biomedical stickers
Ground plug
Protect yourself
What is the purpose of electrosurgery??
High frequency current
Vaporizes & dries cells
Incise & desiccate tissue
Coagulate small blood vessels
Almost every surgical procedure
What is electrical current pathway?
Heat generated by passage of electrical current through two electrodes.
What is an ESU machine?
“Bovie”
Reads amount of current returning to ESU
Unit will shut off if different current return
What are pathways of electricity?
Electrosurgical unit
Active electrode
Patient tissue
Inactive electrode
Electrosurgical unit
What are active electrodes?
Sends out current
Incorporated into tissue forceps
May be hand or foot controlled
What is an inactive electrode?
Monopolar pad
Completes ESU circuit through the patient
Can cause patient harm
Gel portion of pad is conductive
What is the path for a monopolar circuit?
Passes through the body back to electrode monitor
What is the path for a bipolar circuit?
ESU to the electrode
Through the patients tissue to the other electrode then back to the ESU