Care of a Surgical Patient

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the care of a surgical patient, including surgery purposes, preoperative and postoperative considerations, and pain management.

Purposes of Surgery

Includes diagnostic, curative, restorative, ablative, palliative, and cosmetic purposes.

Preoperative Teaching

Involves educating the patient about what to expect, techniques like TCDB, and the use of incentive spirometry.

Informed Consent

A legal document that must be signed by the patient, often witnessed by a nurse, before surgery.

NPO

A medical instruction meaning 'nil per os,' indicating that the patient should not eat or drink before surgery.

Postoperative Complications

Includes fluid and electrolyte imbalance, infection, wound dehiscence, and evisceration.

Gate Control Theory

A theory suggesting that pain transmission can be regulated by a gate mechanism in the central nervous system.

Types of Pain

Includes acute, chronic, nocioceptive, neuropathic, and phantom pain.

Common Post-op Complaints

Nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, and abdominal distention.

Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

The area where patients recover from anesthesia and are monitored post-surgery.

Preoperative Medications

Medications like antibiotics and sedatives given before surgery.

Nursing Responsibilities Pre-operatively

Includes teaching, recording vital signs, ensuring informed consent is signed, and skin preparation.

Assessment of Client for Anesthesia

Includes considerations of the client's overall health and specific anesthetic issues.

Objective Signs of Acute Pain

Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate are common indicators.

Comfort Measures for Pain

Include distraction techniques, guided imagery, massage, and hot/cold applications.