Perioperative Nursing Care

Question 1

What does the prefix -peri mean?

Answer 1

Around something

Question 2

What does ablative mean?

Answer 2

‘Getting rid of’ or removing a diseased body part surgery

Question 3

What is palliative surgery?

Answer 3

The sole purpose is to minimise symptoms, without curing or fixing anything

Question 4

What is preventative surgery?

Answer 4

To prevent something from going wrong, like removing moles before they become malignant

Question 5

What is -ectomy

Answer 5

removal by cutting

Question 6

What is -oscopy

Answer 6

Looking into

Question 7

What is -ostomy

Answer 7

Formation of a permanent artificial opening

Question 8

What is -otomy

Answer 8

Incision or cutting into

Question 9

What is -plasty

Answer 9

Formation or repair

Question 10

What is -orrhaphy

Answer 10

Suture or repair

Question 11

What are the four goals for pre-operative care?

Answer 11

• Assessing problems that may increase surgical risks
• Teaching guidelines regarding surgery
• Instructing exercises that will benefit the patient during post-operative period
• Planning for discharge

Question 12

What are some of the things you need to assess with a patient coming in for surgery?

Answer 12

• Baseline data (mobility, normal life is like)
• Physiological factors
• Use of medications (non prescription and prescription)
• Laboratory tests (like for HB baseline, electrolyte status) (remember this is a medical responsibility, not nursing)
• Psychological status of the patient (assess anxiety)
• Cultural factors

Question 13

What does a physiological assessment assess for?

Answer 13

• Presence of pain
• Allergies
• Presence of trauma and infection
• The use of medications
• Assess for pre-existing conditions (heart, respiratory, neuro, urinary, GIT etc)
• Assess for fears and anxiety

Question 14

How do we manage fear of unknown?

Answer 14

• By patient education

- By therapeutic relationship

Question 15

After what age is it routine to do a chest x-ray before surgery?

Answer 15

55

Question 16

Why is it important to do routine preoperative screening tests?

Answer 16

Because if the pt has a low prothrombin clotting time, this will affect risk of bleeding
Screening for UTI etc

Question 17

Why are pt’s NIL by mouth before operations?

Answer 17

Because then they will be at risk of aspiration (vomiting under anaesthesia and then suffocating)

Question 18

What is a lymphedema bracelet?

Answer 18

To make others aware that they have lymphedema on that arm and to avoid using it for BP or medical procedures

Question 19

What does the nurse have to ensure goes with the pt to the operating theatre?

Answer 19

At least 20 name labels

Question 20

What is the pre-operation checklist?

Answer 20

Generic part 
	Patient prep 
	Consent forms 
	Blood availability status
	Investigations 
	Documentations
	Nil by mouth status
	Pre-operative medication

Question 21

What are the Parameters for discharge from PACU?

Answer 21

Easy, noiseless breathing
Protective reflexes are active
Patients are conscious and orientated
Vital signs have been stable
Intake and output is adequate

Question 22

What are the signs of haemorrhage?

Answer 22

Restlessness
Cold, moist, pale skin 
Deep rapid respiration,
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Progressive weakness

Question 23

What are the signs of Thrombophlebitis?

Answer 23

Pain
Redness 
Swelling
Warmth 
Positive Homan’s sign

Question 24

What are the signs of intestinal obstruction?

Answer 24

Abdominal distention
No bowel movement
No bowel sounds

Question 25

What are the signs of wound complications?

Answer 25

Wound infection Wound dehiscence Wound haemorrhage

Question 26

How do you manage a haemorrhage? (on advice from medical of course)

Answer 26

Administer Vitamin K as ordered Pressure dressings Blood transfusion IV fluids

Question 27

How do you manage thromboplebitus?

Answer 27

Hydrate adequately Encourage leg exercises and ambulate early Elevate the affected leg with pillow support Wear anti-embolic stockings

Question 28

To be discharged from PACU what has to happen?

Answer 28

- You cannot be dependent on anything (like oxygen) | - Vital signs need to be within 20% of 'normal' vital signs

Question 29

How frequently do you monitor vital signs after an operation?

Answer 29

Every 15 minutes for a few hours- all depends on the Ward and what the surgery is.

Question 30

What is thromboplebitus?

Answer 30

Inflammation of the wall of a vein with associated thrombosis

Question 31

What is a Homan sign?

Answer 31

A positive Homans's sign (calf pain at dorsiflexion of the foot) is thought to be associated with the presence of thrombosis.

Question 32

What is atelectasis?

Answer 32

partial collapse or incomplete inflation of the lung.

Question 33

What is splinting?

Answer 33

If the client has an abdominal or chest incision that will cause pain during coughing, instruct the client to hold a pillow firmly over the incision (splinting) when coughing (Figs. 1 and 2). Rationale: Coughing uses abdominal and accessory respiratory muscles, which may have been cut during surgery.