Week 4: Nursing Management of the Client with Post Operative Pain Flashcards
Potential Post Op Functional Complications
weakness
fatigue
functional decline
Potential Post Op Urinary Complications
acute urinary retention
UTI
Potential Post Op Neurologic Complications
delirium
stroke
Potential Post Op Gastrointestinal Complications
Constipation
Paralytic Ileus
Bowel Obstruction
Potential Post Op Wound Complications
infection
dehiscence
evisceration
delayed healing
hemorrhage
hematoma
Potential Post Op Respiratory Complications
atelectasis
pneumonia
pulmonary embolism
aspiration
Potential Post Op Cardiovascular Complications
shock
thrombophlebitis
The intensity of the stress response is dependent on what
pain
fear before and after surgery
anesthesia type and amount
degree of tissue trauma (can show third spacing)
Generally how long does the stress response last
3-5 days
How many phases of Post Op Recovery are there
3
Phase 1 of Post Op Recovery
PACU (AKA PAR, recovery room)
Phase 2 of Post Op Recovery
If outpatient the recovery continues in amb-surg or and outpatient unit
If inpatient recovery occurs on a post op surgical unit in the hospital
nurses are actively involved in this phase
Phase 3 of Post Op Recovery
discharge
What is the goal for nurses in the PACU
to provide care until the patient has recovered from the effects of anesthesia
What should be seen as “Stable” to say a patient has recovered from anesthesia/surgery in the PACU?
Oriented
Stable VS (every 15 m)
Shows no evidence of hemorrhage or other complications
The PACU nurse should review…
pertinent and baseline information upon admission to unit
The PACU nurse should assess.
airway, respirations, cardiovascular function, surgical site, function of CNS, IVs, all tubes and equipment
The PACU nurse should reassess VS…
and patient status every 15 minutes or more frequently if needed (or per facility protocol)
The PACU nurse should transfer…
report to another unit or discharge to home
In the PACU what sort of assessment is done
Focused Assessment
What aspects are included in the PACU Focused Assessments
Airway
Breathing
Mental Status
Surgical Incision Site
VS
IV Fluids
Tubes and Drains
What is the #1 priority for the nurse following a patient having surgery
Maintaining a Patent Airway (necessary to maintain ventilation and oxygenation)
What sort of things must the nurse do in order to ensure maintenance of a patent airway
watch for stridor, wheezing, sounds that may indicate partial obstruction (laryngospasm)
provide supplemental O2 prn
assess breathing by placing hand near face to feel movement of the air
keep HOB 15-30 degrees unless contraindicated
may requiring suctioning
if N/V turn head to the side
What is the #2 priority for the nurse following a patient having surgery
Maintaining Cardiovascular Stability
What sort of things must the nurse do in order to ensure maintenance of cardiovascular stability
monitor all indicators of CV status
assess all IV lines
What sort of things can occur if post op cardiovascular stability goes unstable
potential for hypotension, shock
potential for hemorrhage
potential for HTN and dysrhythmia
Indicators of Hypovolemic Shock
Pallor
Cool and Moist Skin
Rapid Respirations!!!
Cyanosis
rapid Weak and Thready Pulse !!!
Decreasing Pulse Pressure
Low BP
Concentrated urine
these are immediate indications of fluid loss somewhere
Another job of the PACU nurse is relieving ___ and ___
pain and anxiety
Ways that the nurse can relieve the patient of pain and anxiety
assess patient comfort
control the environment (quiet, low lights, noise level, decrease stimulation, positioning)
administer analgesics as indicated; usually short acting opioids IV (advocate for the patient)
Ways to control NV
intervene at first indication of nausea
medications (usually anti emetic via IV since they usually cannot eat)
assessment of post operative nausea, vomiting risk, prophylactic treatment
What are some special gerontology considerations when dealing with elderly patients post op
decreased physiologic reserve
monitor carefully and frequently
increased confusion (dt age and meds)
dosage of meds
hydration status
increased likeliness of post op confusion and delirium
hypoxia HTN and hypoglycemia
reorient as needed
pain (need different doses and types) - also consider respiration after giving pain medications
particular attention to mental status
Modified Aldrete Score
Scoring chart needed in order to guide discharge from the PACU
It measures Activity, Respiration, circulation, consciousness, and O2 Sat (ARC-CO2) from 0-2
What things are needed in order to be discharged from PACU
Muscle Activity
Good Respirations
Good Circulation and BP
Awake and Conscious
Good and Normal O2 Saturation
How often is the Aldrete score taken
every 15 minutes while in the PACU
To be discharged it must score between 7-8 (or per facility protocol)
What will the PACU nurse give the nurse on the receiving unit report on when switching from phase 1 to 2 for inpatient surgery recovery?
procedure done
anesthesia used
blood loss, drains, dressings, IVs
Pt orientation, VS, and pain control
When should airway assessments be done upon arrival to the post-PACU unit?
every 30 m for the next 2 hours –> then every 4 hours for 24 hours –> then every shift
When doing the airway assessments what things should the nurse be looking at
Look at artificial airways
Pulse Ox
Rate, rhythm, And Quality
Breath Sounds: Adequacy, Symmetry, Adventitious Sounds
When there is an abnormal CXR post op what should be done first?
Compare it to preop CXR
Are ABGs often ordered post op?
They are not routinely ordered unless there is a problem and suspect of Abnormal ABGs
What is a majorly vital thing to teach patients post op to prevent respiratory conditions
Cough, Turn, Deep Breathes
When can atelectasis occur post op?
Usually it occurs 24-48 hours post op
What is the most common cause of fever/temp in the first 24 hours following surgery
atelectasis (resp. complications)
What factors post op lead to atelectasis
not C+DB
not using IS
decreased lung volume
What may be found upon assessment if the post op patient has atelectasis
If dyspnea, increased resp. rate
Crackles
Increased Tempearture
Productive Cough and Chest Pain
Interventions for Post Op Atelectasis
Reposition every 1-2 hours
Encourage C+DB and IS
Early ambulation and fluid intake
When does pneumonia usually occur post op?
Usually 3 days post op - it is one of the first resp. illnesses to occur
It can be due to infection, aspiration, immobility, or hypostatic pneumonia
Pulmonary Embolus are ___ ___
medical emergencies
Where does the pulmonary embolus originate from
it comes from the lower extremity DVT that creeps into the venous system and moves through the heart to the lungs
What does the outlook compare between small and large emboli?
Small = often survive
Large - Stat Code
What can be seen on assessment of someone with pulmonary emboli
sudden dyspnea (from SOB)
anxiety (from SOB)
sudden sharp chest pain (or upper abdominal pain)
cyanosis
tachycardia
weak and rapid pulse
drop in BP
pink frothy sputum
Interventions for Pulmonary Emboli
Notify Physician
Monitor VS
O2, IV status, maybe a foley Cath if ordered
Tests may be ordered like ABG, CXR, CT Scan, Lung Scan
Risk Factors for Resp Complicqations
Obesity
Smoking (undergoing anesthesia particularly)
Pre Existing Resp Disease (Comorbidities)
Elderly
High Location of Incision
Potential causes of resp complications
IMMOBILITY
pain
fear
infective organisms
narcotic analgesics and anesthesia
How can narcotic analgesics and anesthesia cause resp complications
decrease pulmonary function
decrease ciliary function
decrease mucus clearing
aspiration of vomitus
Respiratory Nursing Interventions
1 - PREVENTION
early ambulation
position changes
C+DB 10xHour; Use of IS
Fluids
Avoid abdominal distention
bronchitis / pneumonia: cool mist, steam, expectorants, antibiotics
What should the nurse look at regarding the post op cardiovascular system
VS
cardiac monitoring
peripheral vascular assessment
How often do PACU nurses v Unit Nurses check VS
PACU: every 15 min until stable (4 checks)
Unit: every 30 min for 2 hours, then every 4 hoursx 24 hours, then every 8 hours
look for upward and downward trends
VS changes of ___% need to be reported
25
Decreased VS may indicate what
myocardial depression
fluid volume deficit
shock
hemorrhage
med effects
hypothermia
Increased pulse post op may indicate what
pain
shock
hemorrhage
When doing the peripheral vascular assessment, what should you be aware of
what the persons position in surgery was
peripheral pulse assessment - v important
capillary refill
absence of edema
tingling sensation
Why is a tingling sensation concerning during a post op peripheral vascular assessment
it may indicate a life or limb emergency
What are some concerning cardiovascular complications that can occur post operatively
Thrombophlebitis
Cardiovascular Shock
HTN
To prevent thrombophlebitis…
use SCDs when non ambulatory
Cardiovascular Shock
insufficient blood circulation to vital organs
Types of Cardiovascular Shock
Hypovolemic
Sepsis
Anaphylaxis
Cardiogenic
Transfusion Reaction
Neurogenic
PE
What things can be assessed if the patient is entering cardiovascular shock
cool, pale moist skin
rapid weak thready pulse
increased respirations
decreased BP
decreased level of consciousness
Why are there so many short acting IV meds to control BP post op?
Since the patient is NPO it is IV and the patient is not yet stable enough for longer acting meds
HTN hx can be concerning here
When doing the neurological assessment post op, what should be done to check general cerebral functioning?
LOC - eye opening, ability to respond, orientation
Compare to baseline
Elderly considerations
When doing the neurological assessment post op ,what should be done for motor and sensory assessment
Particularly important after spinal or epidural anesthesia - cant ambulate if you cannot feel
movement of the extremities
compare to baseline information
What about fluid and electrolyte balance should be assessed post op
I&Os
Daily weights
Fluid volume deficit
Fluid volume excess
In a health person I ___ O generally
equals (generally)