42 combined (complete)

What is the purpose of perioperative medications?

They target specific surgical problems such as anxiety, pain, infection, nausea, bleeding risk, and aspiration risk.

What types of medications are commonly used to reduce preoperative anxiety?

Benzodiazepines such as midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam.

What are the effects of benzodiazepines before surgery?

They reduce anxiety, provide sedation, and cause amnesia.

Why are benzodiazepines given before surgery?

They calm the patient and reduce the amount of anesthesia needed.

Which preoperative medications may cause patients to forget events before surgery?

Benzodiazepines.

What are common opioid medications used for perioperative pain control?

Morphine and fentanyl.

What is the purpose of opioids during the perioperative period?

To provide strong pain relief and reduce the stress response to surgery.

What is the most important adverse effect of opioids on nursing exams?

Respiratory depression.

What additional side effect commonly occurs with opioid use?

Sedation.

What are H2 blockers used for before surgery?

To decrease stomach acid volume and acidity.

Which medications are H2 blockers used in perioperative care?

Famotidine and ranitidine.

Why are H2 blockers given before surgery?

To reduce aspiration injury if stomach contents enter the lungs.

What is the purpose of metoclopramide before surgery?

To speed gastric emptying and reduce nausea.

What are antiemetics used for during the perioperative period?

To prevent nausea and vomiting after anesthesia.

Which medications are commonly used as antiemetics?

Ondansetron and droperidol.

What is the purpose of atropine and glycopyrrolate before surgery?

To reduce secretions and protect the airway.

How do anticholinergic medications help during anesthesia?

They dry saliva and airway mucus, reducing aspiration risk.

What is the purpose of prophylactic antibiotics before surgery?

To prevent surgical site infections.

Which antibiotics are commonly used for surgical prophylaxis?

Cefazolin, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone.

When should prophylactic antibiotics be administered?

Before the surgical incision is made.

What is the purpose of methylprednisolone in perioperative care?

To decrease inflammation and suppress immune responses.

How do corticosteroids affect blood glucose?

They can increase blood glucose levels.

Why are corticosteroids a concern for diabetic patients?

They may worsen hyperglycemia.

How can long-term corticosteroid use affect wound healing?

It may delay healing and increase infection risk.

What is ketorolac?

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief.

What are the benefits of ketorolac after surgery?

Pain relief, reduced inflammation, and decreased opioid requirements.

What major risk is associated with ketorolac?

Increased bleeding risk due to platelet inhibition.

What are enoxaparin and heparin used for?

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

How are heparin and enoxaparin typically administered?

By subcutaneous injection.

Why should heparin and enoxaparin not be given intramuscularly?

Intramuscular injections increase bleeding risk.

What signs of bleeding should be monitored in patients receiving anticoagulants?

Bruising, bleeding gums, and blood in the urine.

Which laboratory value is monitored for heparin therapy?

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

What nursing safety measure is commonly required before administering heparin?

Double-checking the dose with another nurse.

What is the purpose of warfarin therapy?

Long-term prevention of blood clots.

What signs of bleeding should be reported in a patient taking warfarin?

Black stools, coffee-ground emesis, red urine, hypotension, and tachycardia.

What dietary teaching is important for patients taking warfarin?

Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods.

Why should vitamin K intake remain consistent while taking warfarin?

Large changes can affect the medication's effectiveness.

What should patients taking warfarin be taught about alcohol?

Avoid alcohol because it increases bleeding risk.

Why are anticoagulants often stopped before surgery?

To reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

Which medications commonly increase surgical bleeding risk?

Warfarin, heparin, aspirin, NSAIDs, and certain herbal supplements.

How can antihypertensive medications affect surgery?

They may increase the risk of hypotension during anesthesia.

Why are antiseizure medications important during surgery?

They can interact with anesthetic agents.

Which antiseizure medications commonly interact with anesthesia?

Phenytoin and phenobarbital.

What are the surgical concerns associated with corticosteroids?

Increased infection risk, elevated blood glucose, and delayed wound healing.

How can diuretics affect surgical outcomes?

They may cause fluid loss, hypotension, low potassium, and dysrhythmias.

Why are herbal supplements important to assess before surgery?

Many increase bleeding risk or interact with anesthesia.

Why must insulin therapy be carefully managed around surgery?

Surgical stress raises glucose while NPO status may lower insulin needs.

How can surgery affect blood glucose levels?

Stress hormones increase blood glucose levels.

Why might insulin doses need adjustment before surgery?

Because both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can occur.

What does BLEED represent in the HESI perioperative memory trick?

Anticoagulants, NSAIDs, and herbs that increase bleeding risk.

What does BREATH represent in the HESI perioperative memory trick?

Opioids and anesthesia effects on respiration.

What does BRAIN represent in the HESI perioperative memory trick?

Sedatives and benzodiazepines.

What does BACTERIA represent in the HESI perioperative memory trick?

Antibiotics used to prevent infection.

What are the five most tested medication concepts in perioperative nursing?

Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk, opioids cause respiratory depression, benzodiazepines cause sedation and amnesia, antibiotics prevent surgical infection, and NSAIDs increase bleeding risk.

What is the most important opioid adverse effect to monitor after surgery?

Respiratory depression.

What is the most important effect of benzodiazepines before surgery?

Sedation and amnesia.

What is the primary purpose of antibiotics before surgery?

Prevention of surgical site infection.

What is the major concern with NSAID use before surgery?

Increased bleeding risk.

What is the major concern with anticoagulant use before surgery?

Excessive bleeding risk.

What is anesthesia?

Loss of sensation, especially pain.

What are the four main types of anesthesia?

General anesthesia, regional anesthesia, local anesthesia, and conscious (moderate) sedation.

What is general anesthesia?

A state of complete unconsciousness with loss of pain sensation, memory, movement, and awareness.

What effects does general anesthesia produce?

Analgesia, amnesia, muscle paralysis, and sedation.

What is analgesia?

Absence of pain sensation.

What is amnesia in anesthesia?

Loss of memory of events occurring during the procedure.

What are common medications used for general anesthesia?

Propofol, nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, desflurane, and muscle relaxants.

What is the induction stage of general anesthesia?

The period when anesthesia is initiated and the patient loses consciousness.

What occurs during the induction stage of general anesthesia?

IV anesthetics are given, consciousness is lost, and an airway device may be inserted.

What is the maintenance stage of general anesthesia?

The stage during surgery when the patient remains fully anesthetized.

What occurs during the maintenance stage of general anesthesia?

Oxygen, anesthetic gases, opioids, and muscle relaxants may be administered.

What are major risks during the maintenance stage of general anesthesia?

Respiratory depression, cardiac depression, kidney damage, and liver damage.

What is the emergence stage of general anesthesia?

The stage when anesthesia wears off and the patient begins waking up.

What nursing action is important during emergence from anesthesia?

Airway suctioning to help prevent aspiration.

What is the recovery stage of anesthesia?

The postoperative phase when the patient is monitored in the PACU and regains consciousness.

What is the priority nursing concern during recovery from general anesthesia?

Airway maintenance.

What is the most important nursing priority during general anesthesia?

Airway management.

What is regional anesthesia?

Anesthesia that numbs a specific body region while the patient remains conscious.

Is a patient conscious during regional anesthesia?

Yes, although mild sedation may also be used.

What is epidural anesthesia?

Regional anesthesia administered into the epidural space outside the spinal cord.

Where is epidural anesthesia commonly used?

Labor and delivery and postoperative pain control.

What advantage does epidural anesthesia have over spinal anesthesia?

A catheter can be left in place for continuous pain control.

What is spinal anesthesia?

Regional anesthesia injected into cerebrospinal fluid.

What areas are commonly affected by spinal anesthesia?

The lower body, usually from the waist down.

What procedures commonly use spinal anesthesia?

Cesarean sections, lower abdominal surgery, and leg surgery.

What is a nerve block?

Regional anesthesia that blocks sensation in a specific nerve or nerve group.

When are nerve blocks commonly used?

Orthopedic and extremity surgeries.

What is a major complication of spinal anesthesia?

Hypotension.

Why can spinal anesthesia cause hypotension?

It causes vasodilation.

What serious respiratory complication can occur with spinal anesthesia?

Respiratory paralysis if the anesthetic spreads too high.

What nursing assessment is especially important after spinal anesthesia?

Blood pressure monitoring.

What are nursing priorities for patients receiving spinal anesthesia?

Monitor blood pressure, observe breathing, and maintain proper positioning.

What is local anesthesia?

Anesthesia that numbs only a small, specific area of the body.

Is the patient conscious during local anesthesia?

Yes, the patient remains fully awake.

What procedures commonly use local anesthesia?

Skin biopsies, suturing, and minor lesion removal.

What is a common medication used for local anesthesia?

Lidocaine.

How does local anesthesia work?

It blocks nerve conduction in a small area.

What is conscious (moderate) sedation?

A state in which the patient is relaxed and sleepy but remains responsive.

Is a patient unconscious during conscious sedation?

No, the patient can respond to verbal or tactile stimulation.

What procedures commonly use conscious sedation?

Endoscopy, dental procedures, biopsies, and minor surgeries.

What are the goals of conscious sedation?

Reduce anxiety, reduce pain, provide amnesia, and allow rapid recovery.