Preoperative Nursing Care Practice Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers the comprehensive briefing on preoperative nursing care, including patient assessment, legal protocols, safety measures, and complication prevention.

What time interval defines the preoperative period?

The phase beginning when a patient is scheduled for surgery and concluding upon their transfer to the surgical suite.

What are the three multifaceted roles of the nurse during the preoperative period?

Educator, Advocate, and Safety Promoter.

What is the purpose of Palliative surgery?

Relieves symptoms without curing the underlying disease.

How is 'Urgent' surgery classified in terms of timing?

Requires intervention within $24\text{--}48\text{ hours}$.

What factors are evaluated during a neurovascular '5-Ps' assessment?

Pain, Pulse, Pallor, Paresthesia, and Paralysis.

Patients with allergies to Shellfish, Povidone, or Iodine must be screened for sensitivity to what?

Iodine.

What refers to blood donated by the patient for their own use up to $3\text{ weeks}$ prior to surgery?

Autologous blood donations.

Why is kidney impairment a significant concern for preoperative drug management?

It inhibits drug/anesthetic excretion, causing medications to stay in the system longer.

What life-threatening muscle disorder is triggered by specific anesthetic agents?

Malignant Hyperthermia.

What is the administration protocol for Dantrolene (Ryanodex)?

A muscle relaxer used preventatively or during a crisis for Malignant Hyperthermia.

Who is responsible for obtaining signed informed consent before sedation?

The surgeon.

Under what requirements can a patient legally sign informed consent?

The patient must be competent, alert and oriented (A&O), drug-free, and acting voluntarily.

What are the witness requirements for a surgeon's telephone authorization for consent?

It requires two nurses as witnesses.

What portable legal document provides specific orders for end-of-life care and extraordinary measures?

POLST (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).

In which surgical specialty do wrong-site errors occur most frequently ($41/$ of cases)?

Orthopedic surgery.

What is the 'Time-Out' procedure?

A final verification of the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure involving the entire surgical team.

How long must a patient typically remain NPO prior to surgery to reduce aspiration risk?

$6\text{ to }8\text{ hours}$.

When are prophylactic antibiotics typically administered relative to surgery?

$1\text{ hour}$ before surgery.

What are the recommended methods for hair removal to minimize infection risk?

Electrical clippers or depilatories.

What interventions are used to prevent postoperative Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)?

Early ambulation, ROM exercises, sequential compression devices (SCDs), compression stockings, and anticoagulants.

What are the techniques for preventing postoperative pneumonia (PNA) and atelectasis?

Deep breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, and "coughing and splinting."

What personal items must a patient remove before transfer to the surgical suite?

Dentures, hearing aids, contact lenses, jewelry, and fingernail polish or artificial nails.