Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

NRSG 302 > Week 3 - PostOp Complications > Flashcards

Week 3 - PostOp Complications Flashcards

(94 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for neuro-psychological?

A
  • delirium
  • fever
  • hypothermia
  • pain
  • postoperative cognitive dysfunction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for respiratory?

A
  • airway obstruction
  • aspiration
  • atelectasis
  • bronchospasm
  • hypoventilation
  • hypoxemia
  • pneumonia
  • pulmonary edema
  • pulmonary embolus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for cardiovascular?

A
  • dysrhythmias
  • hemorrhage
  • hypertension
  • hypotension
  • superficial thrombosis-phlebitis
  • venous thrombo-embolism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for gastro-intestinal?

A
  • delayed gastric emptying
  • distension/ flatulence
  • hiccups
  • nausea/ vomiting
  • postoperative ileus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for urinary?

A
  • infection
  • retention
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for integumentary (incision site)?

A
  • dehiscence
  • hematoma
  • infection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are common and potential post-operative complications for fluid and electrolytes?

A
  • acid/ base disorders
  • electrolyte imbalances
  • fluid deficit
  • fluid overload
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

when looking at vital signs you just took which of them are indicators that the pt could be in pain?

A
  • increased HR
  • increased BP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are the main things to be aware of in regards to pain crisis?

A
  • 10 or > out of 10
  • occur gradually or slowly over time
  • often pt will be extremely still
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what are some risk factors for hypothermia?

A
  • effects of anesthesia
  • stress response
  • body temp loss in OR
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what might you find in your assessment of a pt experiencing hypothermia?

A
  • shaking
  • appeal pale or cyanotic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are some interventions the nurse can do to help a hypothermic patient?

A
  • warmed blankets
  • warm fluids
  • forced-air warmers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

for a pt with thermoregulation issues what are common findings that would happen with a mild fever (<38) during days 0-2?

A
  • inflammatory response to surgical truama
  • hematoma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

for a pt with thermoregulation issues what are common findings that would happen with a persistent fever (>38) during days 0-2?

A
  • atelectasis
  • specific infections related to surgery
  • dehydration
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

for a pt with thermoregulation issues what are common findings that would happen during days 3-5?

A
  • pneumonia
  • UTI
  • sepsis
  • wound infection
  • phlebitis
  • abscess formation
  • DVT
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are signs and symptoms of sepsis?

A
  • fever
  • increased HR
  • decreased BP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

pt are at an increased risk of dizziness and fainting in the first what?

A

24-48hrs post surgery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

which pts are at the highest risk of dizziness and fainting?

A
  • spinal epidural
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

why are pts who had a spinal epidural at the highest risk of dizziness and fainting?

A
  • freezes motor, sensory and autonomic nerves
  • pt stands vessels don’t contract so blood pools in feet and BP drops > pt faints
  • vaso-vagal response can occur
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

for pt’s experiencing post op delirium what do you use to assess them?

A

CAM scale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

is post-op delirium an emergency?

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

delirium is different than dementia and has rapid onset and cluster symptoms. What are they?

A
  • acute onset
  • fluctuation throughout day
  • difficulty focusing attention
  • disorganized thinking
  • altered LOC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

post-op delirium can be ____ or _____

A

hypoactive or hyperactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what do you use to treat post-op delirium?

A
  • PRISME
  • may need a 1:1 CCP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
respiratory complications can occur after what?
major surgery
26
what are some risks for an airway obstruction?
- spasm of bronchus and larynx - tongue falling back
27
what assessment data do you expect to gather for an airway obstruction?
- stridor - tachypnea - shallow/ wheezing breaths - dyspnea - gasping - increase pulse - irritability
28
what interventions should then nurse implement if the pt has an airway obstruction?
- stimulation - positioning - artificial airway
29
what are some risk factors for aspiration?
- GERD - pregnancy - H hernia - ulcers - trauma
30
what assessment data do you expect to gather for a pt experiencing aspiration?
- coughing - crackles - rattling chest - decreased SpO2
31
what are some interventions the nurse can do for a pt experiencing aspiration?
- sit up for feeding and drinking - protection of airway
32
what are some risk factors for atelectasis?
- airway obstructed by bronchial secretions - trapped air absorbed and alveolar collapse
33
what assessment data do you expect to gather for a pt experiencing atelectasis?
- slow recovery - poor color - mild tachypnea - tachycardia - sometimes increased temp - decreased air entry heard to lung fields
34
what are some interventions the nurse can do for a pt with atelectasis?
pre and postoperative physiotherapy
35
what are some risk factors for bronchospasm?
- asthma - COPD - intubation - aspiration
36
what assessment data do you expect to find with a pt who has bronchospasm?
- wheezing - dyspnea - tachypnea - decreased SpO2
37
what are some interventions a nurse can do for a pt who has bronchospasm?
- administer O2 - bronchodilators
38
what are some risk factors for hypoventilation?
- respiratory depression from narcotics/ opioids - poor muscle tone - pain - mechanical restriction
39
if a pt is experiencing hypoventilation what assessment data does the nurse expect to find?
- Decreased RR - shallow resps - decreased SpO2 - increased PaCO2
40
what interventions can a nurse do for a pt experiencing hypoventilation?
- administer O2 - ventilator assistance - stimulation - positioning
41
what are some risk factors for pneumonia?
- hypoventilation - immobility - aspiration - resp issues
42
If a pt has pneumonia what assessment data does the nurse expect to find?
- infection from stasis or secretions - dull/ productive cough - fever - chills - pleuritic pain - WBC
43
what are some interventions the nurse can implement for a pt with pneumonia?
- antibiotics - physiotherapy
44
how can you prevent pneumonia from developing post surgery?
get the patient mobile at least 3 times a day
45
what are some risk factors for pulmonary edema?
- fluid overload - left ventricular failure - prolonged airway obstructions - sepsis - aspiration
46
if a pt has pulmonary edema what assessment data does the nurse expect to find?
- crackles on auscultation - infiltrates on CXR - fluid overload - decreased SpO2 - productive cough with clear to pink sputum
47
what interventions can the nurse implement for a pt with pulmonary edema?
- diuretics - increased O2 - fluid restriction
48
what are some risk factors for a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
- DVT - other peripheral thrombosis - AFib - fat emboli - air emboli
49
what assessment data should the nurse expect to find for a pt with a pulmonary embolism?
- acute tachypnea - dyspnea - chest pain - hypotension - decreased SpO2
50
what are some interventions a nurse can implement for a pt with a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
- O2 therapy - CVS support - anticoagulations
51
what are some risk factors for hemorrhage/ bleeding?
- truama - long surgical time - blood thinners
52
what assessment data should the nurse expect to find in a pt with a hemorrhage/ bleeding?
- assess dressing - VS and lab values - increase pulse - symptoms of shock for internal bleeding
53
what interventions can the nurse implement for a pt with a hemorrhage/ bleed?
- change dressing prn after 24-48hrs postop unless directed otherwise - hold pressure/ call for help if needed/ notify doctor - empty/ measure drains
54
where do you expect to see a hematoma post surgery?
area immediate to surgical site that continues to swell, filling with blood
55
what are some risk factors for a hematoma?
- trauma - long surgical time - blood thiners
56
what assessment data should the nurse expect to find if a pt has a hematoma?
- firmness - swelling - discolouration/ bruising - mark it with a pen
57
what are some interventions the nurse can implement for a pt with a hematoma?
- apply pressure to dressing - call surgeon if continues - occasionally needs to be drained
58
what are some risk factors for hypotension?
- fluid/ blood loss - fluid deficit - peripheral pooling of blood - vasodilation from anaesthetic - medications
59
what assessment data should the nurse expect to find in a pt with hypotension?
- decreased LOC - decreased BP - dizzy - nausea - pale - hypovolemic shock
60
what would you expect to find in a pt with hypovolemic shock?
- decreased BP - increased pulse - cold - clammy - pale
61
patient's can develop orthostatic hypotension when changing from ____ to ____ to quickly
lying to standing
62
what intervention can a nurse implement for a pt with hypotension?
- replace lost fluids - insure strick I&O measuring
63
what are some causes of hypertension?
- pain - delirium - hypoxia - gastric or bladder distention - fluid overload
64
what should the nurse assess for a pt with hypertension?
- PRN BP - pulse - cap refill - absence of chest pain - RR - extremities - crackles - edema
65
what are some different cardiac dysfunctions?
- myocardial infarctions/ ischemia - CVA/ TIA - dysrhythmias - hypo/hypertension - pulmonary embolism
66
what causes cardiac dysfunctions ?
- effects of drugs - prolonged surgical time - trauma - comorbidities - acid/base imbalances - fluid/ electrolyte imbalances
67
what should you assess for pts with cardiac dysfunctions?
- monitor VS - telemetry/ ECG monitor - CWMS - I&O balance
68
what interventions can be done for cardiac dysfunctions?
- DVT heparin protocol - replace/ excrete fluids and electrolytes
69
what are different types of fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
- hypo/hypervolemia - hypo/hypercalcemia - hypo/hyperkalemia - hypo/hypernatremia
70
what causes fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
- trauma - blood loss - to much fluid replaced in OR - prolong surgical time - drugs - gastric losses
71
what do you need to assess for fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
- monitor for S&S - full CVA assessment - lab values - telemetry/ ECG monitoring - monitor I&O
72
what are some interventions that can be put in place for fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
treatment based on: - levels of fluid replacement - diuretics - electrolyte replacement/ excretion
73
what causes nausea and vomiting post surgery?
- anesthetic - drugs - pain - NPO status
74
what should you assess for pts with nausea and vomiting?
- monitor VS - monitor pain level - monitor I&O
75
what are some interventions that can be put in place for pts experiencing nausea and vomiting?
- administer anti-emetics - HOB elevated - slow progression of diet
76
what causes a paralytic ileus?
delayed return of GI peristalsis
77
what should the nurse assess for pts with a paralytic ileus?
- presence of bowel and abdomen sounds - distension - abdomen pain - N/V
78
what are some interventions that can be put in place for pts with paralytic ileus?
- encourage ambulation - use splinting for any abdominal surgeries - start bowel protocol - NP tube for severe vomiting
79
define urinary retention
inability to void 6-8hours post-op
80
what causes urinary retention?
- anesthesia - drugs - not voiding for prolonged period - ureter trauma - spinal/ epidural anaesthesia
81
what should the nurse assess for a pt with urinary retention?
- distended bladder - discomfort - bladder scan
82
what interventions can a nurse implement for a pt experiencing urinary retention?
- regular toileting - fluids - decrease use of narcotics - catheter if needed
83
what interventions can a nurse implement for a pt experiencing urinary retention?
- regular toileting - fluids - decrease use of narcotics - catheter if needed
84
define dehiscence
- opening of wound edges - wound wont close
85
what can cause dehiscence?
- coughing/ vomiting - distention - decreased circulation - internal hematoma formation under incision
86
is dehiscence a serious completion? what is the mortality rate? When does it occur?
- yes - up to 30% - occurs between 7-10 days postoperatively
87
what causes dehiscence ?
- obesity - malnutrition - older age
88
what are some interventions that can be done for dehiscence?
- sterile dressing to wound - opiate analgesia - fluid resuscitation - early return to OR
89
what can the nurse do to decrease the likelihood of dehiscence occurring?
remove/ alternate sutures/ staples during removal
90
define evisceration
protrusion of bowel through incision
91
what causes evisceration?
- malnutrition - obesity - older age
92
what interventions can be done for evisceration ?
- cover entire area with sterile NS soaked dressing and cover dressing - monitor for shock - place pt in bed with knees to chest - call surgeon ASAP
93
what is considered a pre-high BP?
systolic between 121-139 OR diastolic between 81-89
94
what is considered a high BP?
systolic 140 or above OR diastolic 90 or above

NRSG 302 (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions