Fundamentals Exam 9: Surgical Care & Tissue Integrity

What are the surgical risk factors associated with smoking?

Blood clots, pneumonia, delayed wound healing.

What are the surgical risk factors associated with obesity?

Breathing problems, blood clots.

What are the surgical risk factors associated with diabetes?

Infection and delayed wound healing.

What is the surgical risk associated with sleep apnea?

Airway obstruction after surgery.

What are the risks associated with alcohol misuse in surgery?

Liver disease and bleeding risk.

What is the risk associated with anticoagulants during surgery?

Increased bleeding risk.

How do older adults affect surgical risk?

Increased risk of postoperative delirium.

What is informed consent in surgery?

Provider explains; nurse verifies and witnesses.

What is general anesthesia?

Client is unconscious.

What is regional anesthesia?

Numbs a large body area.

What is local anesthesia?

Numbs a small area.

What is moderate sedation?

Drowsy but responds to voice.

What is a surgical time-out?

Verify correct patient, procedure, and site.

What is the first priority in postoperative care?

Airway and breathing (ABCs).

What does hypoxia indicate?

Low oxygen; SpO₂ below 90% requires prompt attention.

How often should a patient use an incentive spirometer?

10 breaths/hour; hold 3-5 seconds.

What is incision splinting?

Hold pillow against incision when coughing.

Who can press the button on a PCA pump?

Only the patient.

What does early ambulation prevent?

Blood clots and improves breathing.

What is hypovolemia?

Low fluid → low BP, fast HR, low urine.

What is hypervolemia?

Excess fluid → high BP, crackles, edema.

What complications can nausea and vomiting cause?

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

What is DVT?

Blood clot in leg; swelling, warmth, pain.

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

Clot in lungs; sudden SOB and chest pain.

What is atelectasis?

Collapsed alveoli after surgery.

What is ileus?

No bowel movement/peristalsis after surgery.

What is dehiscence?

Surgical incision opens.

What is evisceration?

Organs protrude through incision; emergency.

What is postoperative delirium?

Temporary confusion after surgery.

What is aspiration?

Food, liquid, or vomit enters airway.

What is dysphagia?

Difficulty swallowing; aspiration risk.

What do keratinocytes do?

Protect skin.

What do melanocytes produce?

Skin pigment.

What do Merkel cells sense?

Light touch.

What is the role of Langerhans cells?

Immune defense.

What are the risk factors for pressure injuries?

Immobility, moisture, poor nutrition, diabetes, older age.

What characterizes Stage 1 pressure injury?

Intact skin with nonblanchable redness.

What characterizes Stage 2 pressure injury?

Partial skin loss; exposed dermis.

What characterizes Stage 3 pressure injury?

Full-thickness skin loss; fat visible.

What characterizes Stage 4 pressure injury?

Deep tissue loss; muscle/bone may be exposed.

What is incontinence-associated dermatitis?

Skin irritation from urine/stool.

What occurs during the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

Clotting/inflammation.

What happens during the proliferative phase of wound healing?

New tissue grows.

What happens during the remodeling phase of wound healing?

Scar strengthens.

What is primary intention in wound healing?

Wound edges closed together.

What is secondary intention in wound healing?

Open wound heals with granulation tissue.

What is tertiary intention in wound healing?

Wound closed later.

What are the signs of wound infection?

Redness, warmth, pain, pus, fever.

What is purulent drainage?

Pus; possible infection.

What type of dressing is best for a superficial wound?

Transparent film.

What type of dressing is best for moderate-to-heavy drainage?

Hydrofiber.

What does hydrogel do?

Adds moisture to dry wounds.

What is a Penrose drain used for?

Open, passive drainage.

What is the proper method for wound irrigation?

Cleanest to most contaminated.

What is negative-pressure wound therapy?

Suction removes fluid and promotes healing.

What does HYPO indicate?

LOW → Low BP, low urine.

What does HYPER indicate?

HIGH → High BP, edema, crackles.

What does DVT stand for?

Leg | PE = Lungs.

What does dehiscence mean?

Opens | Evisceration = Organs out.

What do the stages of pressure injuries represent?

1 = Red, 2 = Skin, 3 = Fat, 4 = Muscle/Bone.

What does HydroFIBER do?

Fluid absorption.