Harcum Technician Operating Room Rotation Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering surgical procedures, terminology, equipment, anesthesia protocols, and sterilization techniques for the Harcum Technician Operating Room Rotation.

Gowned Personnel Sterility Rule

Sterile only from the waist up to the chest and from the elbows down to the fingertips.

Passing Protocol in O.R.

Gowned people pass back-to-back; non-sterile people pass facing the sterile surgeon or area and must avoid passing between two sterile fields.

Elasticon usage in Equine O.R.

$3\text{ inch}$ elasticon is wrapped over each foot to protect recovery stall floors and provide grip during recovery.

-otomy

A procedure in which a structure is incised

-ectomy

A procedure in which a portion of tissue is removed

-ostomy

A procedure in which a new opening is created on a temporary or permanent basis

-rraphy

A procedure in which one or two structures are sutured

-pexy

A procedure to fix in place a structure that would normally be movable

-plasty

A manipulation that alters organ or body structure, commonly involving an artificial replacement or prosthesis

Clean-clean Surgery

Incision into clean internal structures that do not predispose the wound to infection, such as arthroscopy or laryngoplasty (tie back).

Clean-contaminated Surgery

Incision into contaminated organs using precautions to prevent spillage, such as intestinal anastomosis or colon enterotomy.

Dirty Surgery

Surgery performed in regions of established infection, such as abscess draining or tooth removal.

Antiseptic vs. Disinfectant

Antiseptics are agents applied to living tissue; disinfectants are agents applied to inanimate surfaces.

Iodophores (Betadine®, Duraprep®)

Excellent spectrum containing iodine, but partially inactivated by organic debris; dilute Betadine Solution is safe to use on and around the eye.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate $4.00\%$

Broad spectrum antiseptic with better residual activity than iodophores; MUST NOT be used near the eye as it can cause ulcers.

ChloraPrep™ Single Use Applicator

Contains $2.00\%$ Chlorhexidine Gluconate and $70.00\%$ Isopropyl Alcohol; maintains antimicrobial activity for $48.00\,\text{hrs}$ after application.

Gross Prep

The initial scrub using non-sterile gloves and antiseptic (Chlorhexidine $4.00\%$ or Betadine) to remove all gross dirt; rinsing with tap water unless orthopedic implants are involved.

White Glove Test

Ensures cleanliness using a clean non-sterile glove and alcohol-soaked $4 \times 4\text{s}$ swiped from incision site (cleanest) to clipped edge (dirtiest).

Sterile $5.00\text{ min}$ Prep

Patient prep requiring sterile gloves and Chlorhexidine Solution-saturated sterile $4 \times 4\text{s}$; uses a circular motion for $5.00\text{ min}$ of active contact time.

Scalpel Blade #10

Known as the 'work horse blade'; most commonly used for incising or dividing tissues.

Mayo vs. Metzenbaum Scissors

Mayo scissors are used for cutting suture and heavy fascia; Metzenbaum scissors are finer and used for delicate tissue dissection.

Olson Hagar Needle Holder

Designed with a straight conical shaped jaw for general suture techniques and includes scissors behind the grasping tips.

Babcock Clamp

A ratcheted clamp used specifically to grasp delicate tissues such as the intestine, fallopian tube, or ovary.

Weitlaner Retractor

A self-retaining retractor with curved shanks and multiple sharp or blunt blades ($2.00$ to $6.00$ blades).

Finochetto Rib Spreader

A self-retaining retractor used to separate ribs using blunt wide blades.

Endozime AW Triple Plus with APA

The soap used with warm water for the manual scrubbing of instruments to remove gross debris and tissue.

Instrument Milk (Premix Slip)

A solution used for instruments that do not go through the ultrasonic system; requires no drying or rinsing after treatment.

Steam Autoclave Settings (General Wrapped)

Temperature of $133.00^\circ F$, exposure time of $8.00\text{ min}$, and dry time of $20.00\text{ min}$.

Ethylene Oxide (EO) Gas

A colorless, toxic gas with an ether-like odor used for materials that cannot be autoclaved; effectiveness depends on gas concentration, time, temperature, and humidity.

Sterility Maintenance Covers

Sealable plastic 'dust covers' placed over cooled paper or cloth packs to extend shelf life up to $180.00\text{ days}$ ($6.00\text{ months}$).

Suture Material Shelf Life (Heat Sealed)

Single pouch is sterile for up to $1.00\text{ year}$; double pouched is considered sterile for $10.00\text{ years}$.

Suture Size Scale

Sizing ranges from $7-0$ (smallest) used for neurology and ophthalmics to $5$ (largest) used for large veterinary patients.

PDS® (Polydioxanone)

A synthetic monofilament absorbable suture with an absorption rate of $182.00$ to $238.00\text{ days}$.

Reverse Cutting Point Needle

A needle with a single point and three cutting edges along the body designed to dissect through denser tissue like skin.

Swaged Needle

An atraumatic needle where the eye-less needle is prepacked and already attached to the suture.