Care of the Surgical Patient Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering surgical purposes, urgency levels, diagnostic testing, patient teaching, and surgical team roles based on the provided lecture notes.

Aesthetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery performed to change or improve one's physical appearance.

Core Surgery

Surgery performed to treat or cure a disease.

Diagnosis (Surgical Purpose)

Procedure completed with a scope or to remove tissue to identify the presence of disease.

Exploration (Surgical Purpose)

Procedure done to provide further data and determine a diagnosis for a problem.

Palliation

Surgery that alleviates symptoms and provides comfort but does not cure the disease or heal the injury.

Prevention (Surgical Purpose)

Surgery done to remove tissue before it becomes diseased.

Reconstruction

Corrective surgery done to repair anatomical or congenital defects.

Elective Surgery

Any surgery that is voluntary and scheduled a week or more in advance.

Urgent Surgery

Surgery required within $24\,hours$ of diagnosis to prevent complications that may occur with waiting.

Emergency Surgery

Surgery that cannot wait, usually performed within $2\,hours$ to prevent serious complications or death.

Inpatient Surgery

Surgery that requires hospitalization to stabilize the patient.

Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC)

A preoperative diagnostic test measuring various components of the blood.

Urinalysis (UA)

A preoperative diagnostic test involving the analysis of urine.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

A preoperative diagnostic test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

Chest Radiographs (CXR)

A preoperative diagnostic imaging test of the chest.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

A preoperative diagnostic pregnancy test.

PACU

The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, also known as the recovery room, where the patient goes after the OR.

Anticholinergics

Preoperative medications that act on the parasympathetic system to lessen bodily secretions.

Antiemetics

Preoperative medications, such as Zofran, used to prevent nausea.

Informed Consent

A process where the patient gives or denies consent after being provided accurate information, and signs to confirm they understand procedures, outcomes, and risks.

Preoperative Checklist

The final responsibility before surgery starts to confirm all necessary items have been checked off.

Scrub Nurse

A surgical team member who sets up the sterile field.

Circulating Nurse

A surgical team member responsible for coordinating care and managing the nursing activities within the operating room.