NCM 112: Perioperative, Intraoperative, and Postoperative Nursing Care

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the phases of perioperative nursing, surgical classifications, patient safety protocols, anesthesia types, and postoperative complication management.

Perioperative Nursing

A nursing specialty that works with patients having operative and other invasive procedures.

Preoperative Phase

The phase that begins when the decision to proceed with surgical intervention is made and ends with the transfer of the patient onto the operating room (OR) bed.

Intraoperative Phase

The phase that begins when the patient is transferred onto the OR bed and ends with admission to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU).

Postoperative Phase

The phase that begins with the admission of the patient to the PACU and ends with a follow-up evaluation in the clinical setting or home.

Diagnostic Surgery

Surgical intervention performed mainly to identify the disease a patient may have, such as a biopsy or exploratory laparotomy.

Palliative Surgery

Surgery performed to relieve pain or correct a problem rather than cure the underlying disease, such as debulking a Stage IV tumor.

Emergent Surgery

Surgery requiring immediate attention without delay for life-threatening disorders, such as severe bleeding, fractured skull, or gunshot wounds.

Urgent Surgery

Surgery requiring prompt attention within $24-30$ hours, such as for acute gallbladder infection or kidney stones.

Major Surgery

Procedures categorized by PhilHealth's Related Value Unit (RVU) as having $80$ points and above, usually involving opening a body cavity or removing an organ.

Informed Consent

The patient's autonomous, voluntary decision to undergo a surgical procedure, which is a legal mandate necessary before non-emergent surgery.

Normal Body Mass Index (BMI)

A nutritional status calculated by weight(kg) \biv height(m)^2, with the normal range being $18.5-24.9$.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

A technique involving the flattening of the dome of the diaphragm during inspiration to promote optimal lung expansion after surgery.

Circulating Nurse

The nurse who manages the OR, protects patient safety, verifies consent, and coordinates the second verification of the surgical site (time out).

Scrub Nurse

A nurse who sets up sterile equipment, prepares sutures, and counts all needles, sponges, and instruments with the circulating nurse.

Restricted Zone

The area in the surgical environment where scrub clothes, shoe covers, caps, and masks must be worn at all times.

Time-out

A surgical pause and universal protocol used to verify the correct patient, correct procedure, and correct side and site before starting the operation.

General Anesthesia

A state of narcosis, analgesia, and reflex loss where the patient is not arousable and requires assistance to maintain a patent airway.

Stage 4: Medullary Depression

A dangerous stage reached if too much anesthesia is given, characterized by shallow respirations, weak pulse, and widely dilated pupils.

Malignant Hyperthermia

A rare inherited muscle disorder chemically induced by anesthetic agents, characterized by tachycardia ($> 150\text{ bpm}$) and core body temperature exceeding $42^{\text{o}}C$.

Aldrete Score

A scoring system spanning five assessment areas used to determine PACU discharge readiness, where a score of $8-10$ is required for discharge.

Patient-controlled Analgesia (PCA)

A machine used to introduce pain medication, typically opioid analgesics, by allowing the patient to press a button for delivery.

Penrose Drain

A surgical drain that is often sutured to the skin to allow the escape of fluids while preventing accidental removal.

Wound Dehiscence

A postoperative complication where the surgical stitches or wound edges become open.

Wound Evisceration

A surgical emergency where abdominal intestines protrude through an opened incision.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)

A condition involving blood clots that can travel to vital organs, prevented postoperatively by early ambulation, leg exercises, and anti-embolism stockings.