Exam 4 Flashcards
Identify risk factors that affect a client’s response to surgery
o Full assessment.
o Smoking: respiratory problems. Can cause atelectasis and pneumonia, poor wound healing. Increases thickness and amount of secretions
o Diabetes: increase risk wound infection and mortality. Decrease of perfusion.
o Resp. disease: anesthesia reduce resp. func. Reduces ot ability to compensate for acif base changes
o Immunosuppression: at risk for developing infection. Impaire tissue perfusion
o Morbid obesity: as wt increases cardiac and resp. func decrease increasing risk for postop atelectasis, pneumonia, and death. Risk VTE
o Impaired mobility: increase chances developing VTE
o Heart disease: anesethesia depresses cardiac output. Heart has to be able to pump on its own.
o Chronic pain: at risk poor healing b/can’t manage pain. Result in higher tolerance
o Age: hypothermia. General inhibits shivering and causes vasodilation, results in heat loss.
o Malnutrition: normal tissue needs nutrients to repair itself. When too thin or obese often lack needed nutrients.
o Anxiety
o Confusion
o Pre-op use of anticoagulants
• Explain the role and responsibilities of the RN in the preoperative surgical phase
o Full assessment: ID risk factors, allergies, etc.
o Provide information on what to expect
o Plan care
Describe priority pre-operative assessments
Health History Sensory aids Previous surgery Physical assessment Preop pain Emotional state going into surgery Cognitive Family support, use of tobacco products, alcohol, occupation, culture All medications o Prescription, over the counter, and herbal: 4 G’s garlic, gingko, ginger, ginseng Medication and latex allergies
Explain risks associated with aspirin or anticoagulant therapy
o Increase risk of hemorrhaging
Identify herbal supplements that may increase risks associated with surgery
o 4 G’s garlic, gingko, ginger, ginseng
o Client education
Client must understand complications and benefits. Pt. must have clarity of mind Qs Time/Loc. Surgery Intraoperative Pain management Immediately postop Ongoing postop Discharge needs Advance directives Informed consent
Informed Consent
Adequate disclosure Sufficient comprehension Voluntary consent If pt is not able; family member, next of kin, or durable power of attorney Documented medical necessity
• Differentiate between diagnostic, palliative, ablative, constructive, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeries
o Palliative: to improve symptoms. Ex. Remove part bowel
o Diagnostic: to figure out what’s going on
o Ablative: removing something that is sick and is curative. Ex. appendix
o Cosmetic: client desires enhancement. Nothing is wrong
o Reconstructive: surgery to restore to original or normal function. Cleft palet.
o Procurement: transplant
• Explain the role and responsibilities of the RN in the intraoperative surgical phase
o Circulating Nurse
Does not scrub in. Manages pt care
Manage pt positioning, skin prep, medications, implants, IPC device, specimens, warming devices, surgical counts
Keep family informed
o Scrub Nurse
Understand procedure and anticipate surgeons needs
o Identify interventions to prevent injury to the client
Positioning
Extremities supported, alignment maintained, bony prominences padded, “grounded”, modesty, restrained in place
Prevention of hypothermia
Warming blankets, intraoperativewarm pt, prewarm OR
Airway management and effects of anesthesia
Lower BP, lower vitals in general,
Sponge counts
Describe basic principles of surgical aseptic technique
Describe basic principles of surgical aseptic technique
Don’t turn your back on sterile field. Make it nonsterile. Anything above or below waist is nonsterile
Sterile to sterile. 1 inch of edges is not sterile.
• Explain the role and responsibilities of the RN in the postoperative surgical phase
o Explain how clear communication contributes to client safety.
Gives postop team ability to anticipate possible clinical problems be sure that special equipment needed for nursing care is available.
o Prioritize client care after anesthesia (ABCs)
ABCs, I&O, Pain/Comfort, Neuro function, position, skin, pt safety needs, neurovascular status: extremeties, surgical dressing and lines etc., drainage?, muscular response and strength/mobilitym fluids, procedure specific assessments
Identify potential respiratory postoperative complications
o Cause: anesthetic agents cause resp. depression, smoking thicken mucous
o Atelectasis: most common cause of hypoxia postoperative, hear diminished lung sounds
o Pneumonia: hear rhonchi, productive cough
o Hypoventilation: inadequate ventilation
o Hypoxia: hear nothing. Client is restless, bradycardic, anxious
o Pulmonary embolism: blood clot to lungs
Explain early signs of hypoxia and why a post-surgical client is at risk for this.
o Decrease in O2 sats. o POST OP CONFUSION o Increased RR and work of breathing o SOB with activity o Tachycardia o Increased HR and extra beats
Identify respiratory breath sounds associated with atelectasis and pneumonia
o Atelectasis: diminished lung sounds
o Pneumonia: crackles
Resp: Explain interventions to prevent complications
o Obstruction Appropriate positioning: position on side until airways clear o Atelectasis/pneumonia Coughing and deep breathing: Q1-2h Incentive spirometry: Q1-2h Hydration Early ambulation Suctioning o Hypoxemia Oximetry monitoring: continuous oximetry monitering until done receiving IV Opioids Oxygen therapy: supplement O2 in order to keep airway open Sedation monitoring
Identify and explain circulatory postoperative complications
o Cause: blood loss, side effect anesthesia, electrolyte imbalances, depression normal mechanisms, ischemia
o Assessments: HR, rhythm, BP
o Hemorrhage: blood loss. Maintain IV fluids. Monitor vitals
Watch for increase HR, RR. Thready pulse, drop in BP.
o DVT: pooling blood extremity, leading to clot that can travel and occlude major arteries
o Postural hypertension: fall risk
o Hypotension: related to loss of blood, can lead to shock
Identify s/s bleeding or hemorrhage
o Clammy skin, drop BP, increase HR and RR.
o Explain interventions when these s/s occur
Monitor vitals, maintain fluids, O2 therapy, notify surgeon, blood counts
o Prioritize care for the client receiving blood products.
Client ID. 2 RN perform.
Pre transfusion assessment. Vital qh
Ensure IV Acess and obtain supplies.
Initiate w/in 30 min of receiving blood. Must be infused w/in 4 hrs.
Prime w/ normal saline. Stay in room for first 15 min.
Recheck qh after transfusion discontinued.
o Identify signs and symptoms of a hemolytic transfusion reaction
Febrile: Headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, chills, anxiety,
Hemolytic: low BP, high RR, chest pain, low back pain, apprehension, chills, fever. Tachycardia
Allergic: hives, rash, face flush, scratch
Thrombus formation: Explain the purpose for the following interventions
o Early ambulation: keeps blood from pooling and client moving/
Identify priority assessments
• Vitals. Hypotension or arrhythmias.
o Antiembolic stockings/sequential compression device: prevent DVT’s by keeping blood from pooling
o Leg exercises: Q1H
o Hydration: prevent accumulation of formed blood elements
o Heparin or enoxaparin : anticoagulants prevent bloods clots
Identify priority nursing assessments and interventions to prevent and identify fluid and electrolyte abnormalities
o Compare lab values with pt baselin. o I&O o daily wts o Edema and crackles in lungs o BP