NRSG258 Principles of Nursing: Surgical - Module 1 Vocabulary

A set of key vocabulary terms and definitions drawn from Module 1: Introduction to Surgical Nursing. These flashcards cover reasons for surgery, perioperative phases, anaesthesia types, common surgical suffixes, risk concepts, specialist nursing roles, assessment tools and important protocols to aid exam preparation.

Surgery

An invasive medical procedure performed to diagnose or treat illness, injury or deformity.

Diagnosis (Reason for Surgery)

Surgery performed to identify the nature of a disease, e.g., lymph node biopsy.

Cure (Reason for Surgery)

Surgery intended to eliminate a condition, e.g., appendicectomy for ruptured appendix.

Palliation (Reason for Surgery)

Surgical intervention to relieve symptoms without curing, e.g., stoma creation to bypass a mass.

Prevention (Reason for Surgery)

Surgery that removes tissue before it becomes malignant, e.g., polyp removal.

Cosmetic Improvement

Surgery performed to enhance appearance, e.g., breast reconstruction post-mastectomy.

Exploration (Reason for Surgery)

Surgical procedure undertaken to investigate an unknown problem, e.g., arthroscopy.

Perioperative Nursing

Specialised nursing practice that cares for patients before, during and after surgery.

Preoperative Period

Phase from decision for surgery until transfer to the operating room.

Intraoperative Period

Time spent in the operating room, from entry to transfer to PACU.

Postoperative Period

Phase from arrival in PACU until complete recovery and follow-up.

Elective Surgery

Planned surgery placed on a waiting list; categorised as 1, 2, or 3 based on urgency.

Emergency Surgery

Unplanned surgery required within 10 days to treat trauma or acute deterioration.

Major Surgery

Procedures with significant risk, larger incisions or body cavity entry.

Minor Surgery

Low-risk surgical procedures, often with minimal invasion.

Open Surgery

Traditional approach using large incisions for direct visualisation.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Techniques utilising small incisions, e.g., laparoscopy, endoscopy.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning removal or excision of, e.g., appendicectomy.

-otomy

Suffix meaning cutting into or incision, e.g., tracheotomy.

-ostomy

Suffix indicating creation of an opening, e.g., colostomy.

-oscopy

Suffix meaning looking into, e.g., endoscopy.

-plasty

Suffix for repair or reconstruction, e.g., mammoplasty.

-orrhaphy

Suffix denoting repair or suture, e.g., cystorrhaphy.

-lysis

Suffix meaning destruction of, e.g., adhesiolysis.

-centesis

Suffix for puncturing a cavity to remove fluid, e.g., amniocentesis.

-pexy

Suffix for surgical fixation, e.g., hysteropexy.

General Anaesthesia (GA)

Drug-induced loss of consciousness with possible paralysis and controlled ventilation.

Regional Anaesthesia

Loss of sensation to a body region without loss of consciousness, e.g., spinal block.

Local Anaesthesia

Loss of sensation to a specific area with patient awake, used for minor procedures.

Surgical Risk

Potential complication arising directly from the procedure itself, e.g., infection, haemorrhage.

Surgical Risk Factor

Patient comorbidity that increases danger of surgery, e.g., diabetes, obesity.

Scrub Nurse

Perioperative nurse who maintains sterile field and hands instruments to surgeon.

Scout Nurse (Circulating)

Nurse who manages non-sterile activities and documentation in theatre.

Anaesthetic Nurse

Nurse assisting the anaesthetist in induction, maintenance and emergence phases.

PACU (Recovery) Nurse

Nurse who monitors patient immediately after anaesthesia in the Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit.

Elective Category 1

Surgery clinically indicated within 30 days.

Elective Category 2

Surgery clinically indicated within 90 days.

Elective Category 3

Surgery clinically indicated within 365 days.

Fasting Guidelines

Minimum 6 h for food and 2 h for clear fluids prior to anaesthesia.

ISOBAR

Structured handover tool: Identification, Situation, Observations, Background, Assessment, Responsibility.

Routine Post-Anaesthetic Observations (RPAO)

Standard vital sign schedule: 15-minutely ×1 h, 30-minutely ×2 h, hourly ×4 h, then 4-hourly if stable.

Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)

Tool used to identify patients at risk of malnutrition.

Braden Scale

Assessment tool for pressure injury risk.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Risk Assessment

Screening all surgical patients for clotting risk on admission.

IDEAL Discharge

Discharge planning approach: Include, Discuss, Educate, Assess, Listen.

Obesity (Surgical Risk)

BMI-related condition raising risk of wound dehiscence, infection, VTE and cardiopulmonary complications.

Older Adult (>65 years) Risk

Age-related decline causing reduced anaesthetic tolerance, slower healing and polypharmacy issues.

Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalance

Condition that may provoke arrhythmias, shock or organ failure perioperatively.

Emergence Delirium

Immediate postoperative confusion and agitation on waking from anaesthesia.

Postoperative Delirium

Acute cognitive disturbance occurring after surgery, linked to higher morbidity.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

Group of health professionals collaborating to optimise perioperative patient care.

Preoperative Checklist

Document ensuring ID, consent, fasting status, diagnostics and preparations are complete before theatre.

Perioperative Care Framework

Model outlining continuous risk assessment, shared decision making and multidisciplinary collaboration through surgical journey.

Falls Risk Assessment

Tools such as Hendrich II used to evaluate likelihood of inpatient falls.

Medication Reconciliation

Process of verifying all patient medications, including OTC and supplements, to avoid interactions with anaesthetics.