Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Med Surg I > Wk 3 Postoperative Care > Flashcards

Wk 3 Postoperative Care Flashcards

(58 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

When someone comes out of the order, all orders need to be

A

rewritten by the surgeon

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

What should a PACU hand off report look like?

A

General information
Patient history
intraoperative management and evens

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

What does intraoperative management and events include?

A

Most recent vital signs, lab and test results, how much blood the patient has lost

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

What is included in the initial PACU assessment? (6 things)

A 
ABCs
Neurological
Surgical and IV site
GU/GI
Pain
Patient safety needs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why is hypoxia a potential complication for post op patients? (4 things)

A

Shallow breathing, anesthesia, resp depression
Obesity
Airway obstruction
Laryngospasm

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

What are two other potential respiratory complications to be aware of for post op patients?

A

Atelectasis

Pneumonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are nursing interventions for hypoxia?

A 
Reposition if can
Keep head of bed elevated
VS
O2 sat
Oxygen 
Suctioning
Coughing, splint prn
Incentive spirometry
Turn q2
Early ambulation
Pain management
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is splinting?

A

Keep pressure of incision site, such as squeezing a pillow when coughing or keeping the incision together with hands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are possible cardiovascular issues for a post op patient?

A

Decreased CO

DVT/PE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What should the nurse monitor for decreased CO?

A

BP
HR
Pulses
skin temp/color

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

DVTs are most often seen in patients who are…

A

Elderly
Obese
Immobilized

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a good technique to teach patients to promote venous return?

A

Dorsi/plantar flexion, and circumducting feet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What BP should you notify the provider of?

A

Less than 90, greater than 160

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What should you do for a patient with hypotension with a normal pulse, and warm/pink skin who is post op?

A

Just monitor, this is usually vasodilation from anesthesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What should you do for a patient who is hypotensive with rapid or weak pulse, and cold/clammy skin?

A

They need immediate intervention, notify HCP, could be hypovolemic shock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

If a patient has an abnormally low BP but is asymptomatic…

A

Compare to baseline, you may not need to notify provider if that is normal for them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

You should notify the provider of a pulse of…

A

Less than 60 or greater than 120, depending on other signs and symptoms

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

What is pulse pressure?

A

Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

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

What does it mean if someone has a narrow (small) pulse pressure?

A

Could be an indication of hemodynamic compromise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

A blood pressure that gradually increases or decreases over several readings should… or a change in heart rhythm should….

A

Catch your eye!

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

How to prevent cardiovascular post op problems (4 things)

A

SCDs
Ambulation
Phlebitis assessment
Monitor and protect wound

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

Why are SCDs more often used than TEDs?

A

Because if the TED hose doesn’t fit correctly it can lead to pressure injuries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Restless patients… Always think __

A

Hypoxia

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

What is emergence delirium?

Study These Flashcards
A

Short term neurological change

25
What are s/s of emergence delirium in post op patients?
Restlessness Disorientation Thrashing Shouting
26
What can emergence delirium possibly be related to? (3)
Anesthetic agents Pain Presence of ET tube
27
Postop delirium is most common in the
Elderly
28
What is a psychological issue to watch for in post op patients?
Post-op depression
29
What should you do to prevent neurological and psychological problems in a post op patient?
Assess LOC, orientation, memory, ability to follow commands, movement of extremities
30
Post-op pain is the classic example of
continuous ongoing pain
31
What is a treatment for post op pain?
ATC dosing, be vigilant for side effects such as respiratory depression
32
Who is at risk for respiratory depression?
A patient who hasn't taken opioids before, someone on IV morphine
33
What are interventions for post op pain? (3)
Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic ,documentation of pain
34
During surgery the body often has a low
temperature
35
What is an expected finding concerning temperature for a patient 48 hours post op
Mild fever, less than 100.4 (due to inflammatory response to surgery)
36
If a patient's temperature is greater than 100.4 post op, what should you think of?
Lung congestion or dehydration
37
When should you be concerned about a low grade fever after surgery?
If it's been longer than 48 hours
38
What is the best thing you can do for a patient who is experiencing gas/abdominal distention after surgery?
Early ambulation
39
What is the most common reason for a patient experiencing paralytic ileus?
Surgical manipulation of the bowel
40
What are 4 potential GI problems for a post op patients
Gas/distention Nausea Constipation Paralytic ileus
41
How long might large intestine motility take to resume in a post op patient?
2-7 days
42
How long might small intestine motility take to resume in a post op patient?
within hours
43
What are presentations of a patient with a paralytic ileus? (3)
Distended abdomen High pitch bowel sounds Pain
44
What do we do for a patient who does develop a paralytic ileus?
NG insertion to decompress the abdomen and then let them "ride it out"
45
You should gradually advance a patient's diet, for example
NG to low wall suction | NPO with ileus
46
What is the only side effect of opioids that a patient cannot develop tolerance to?
Constipation
47
Prevention of constipation is especially important in patients who underwent
abdominal surgery, if they have to bear down and push it can be really painful for them
48
What are potential urinary complications of post op
Urinary retention | UTI
49
What should be the goal for urinary output for a post op patient?
Greater than 30mls an hour
50
Urine output =
Renal perfusion
51
If a patient has decreased cardiac output, or has hypotension
Urine output will go down due to low perfusion
52
When should a patient be catheterized after surgery?
If they haven't voided in 6-8 hours
53
What should you assess when looking at a wound or incision? (5)
``` Pain Erythema Drainage - amount, color, consistency, odor Dehiscence Evisceration ```
54
What is a Tenckhoff catheter?
Peritoneal tube for dialysis
55
What is a wound drain?
Penrose
56
What is a Hemovac or a Jackson-Pratt?
Closed suction drain
57
What is T-tube used for?
Common bile duct
58
What are pigtails or pleurXcatheters?
Chest tubes

Med Surg I (41 decks)

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