NURS 3070: ADH1: MODULE 1: Intraoperative Nursing

What are the three stages of surgical nursing?

Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative.

What should nurses prioritize for surgical patients?

Nursing responsibilities that ensure patient safety and prevent complications.

What is the nurse's role across all surgical stages?

Assessments and interventions to prevent complications.

What do preoperative nursing measures aim to decrease?

Risk for infection and postoperative complications.

What is the role of the PACU nurse?

Prevent immediate postoperative complications.

What should be identified for early detection of complications?

Appropriate assessment parameters.

Who are the six members of the surgical team?

Patient, anesthesiologist/CRNA, surgeon, nurses, surgical technicians, RNFAs/certified surgical technologists.

Who is the most important member of the surgical team?

The patient.

What are the five main duties of the circulating nurse?

Manages OR, verifies consent, coordinates team, monitors team, performs 'time-out.'

What does the circulating nurse verify before surgery?

Consent (universal protocol).

Who monitors the surgical team during the procedure?

Circulating nurse.

What are the responsibilities of the scrub nurse/tech?

Set up sterile field, prepare interventions, assist surgeon, anticipate supplies, verify instrument counts.

What does the scrub nurse anticipate?

Needed supplies and instruments.

Who verifies instrument counts?

The scrub nurse/tech.

What does the surgeon do during surgery?

Handles tissue, provides operative field exposure, maintains homeostasis, preps patient.

Who provides exposure to the operative field?

The surgeon and RN first assistant.

What does the RN First Assistant do?

Handles tissue, provides operative exposure, maintains hemostasis, assists with suturing.

What are the three OR zones?

Unrestricted, semirestricted, restricted.

What clothing is required in the unrestricted zone?

None; street clothes allowed.

What clothing is required in the semirestricted zone?

Scrubs and caps.

What clothing is required in the restricted zone?

Mask, scrub, caps, shoe covers.

What are three flammable risks in the OR?

Oxygen, cautery, and skin prep.

How is infection prevented in the OR environment?

Special air filtration systems.

Why are OR rooms located close to the ER?

To reduce delays in emergencies.

What are the five basic guidelines of surgical asepsis?

All materials sterile, gown not fully sterile, sterile drapes required, items dispensed to preserve sterility, specific sterile movements.

True or False: The circulating nurse is responsible for monitoring the surgical team.

True.

What are the two broad types of anesthesia?

General and regional.

What are the two delivery systems of general anesthesia?

Inhalation and intravenous.

What does general anesthesia cause?

Complete unconsciousness.

What are two types of regional anesthesia?

Epidural and spinal.

What is another term for regional anesthesia with sedation?

Conscious sedation.

What is anesthesia awareness?

When a patient is paralyzed but still awake.

How can nausea and vomiting during surgery be prevented?

Pre-medications.

What is a severe allergic reaction that can occur intraoperatively?

Anaphylaxis.

What can cause hypoxia and respiratory complications?

Inadequate airway and obstruction.

What are common causes of hypothermia in surgery?

Shock, blood loss, cold OR environment, decreased subcutaneous fat.

What is malignant hyperthermia?

A rare, anesthesia-induced complication requiring special medication.

What is always a risk in surgery besides other complications?

Infection.

Why are older adults at higher risk for surgical complications?

Age-related physiologic changes.

What cardiovascular and pulmonary changes occur with aging?

Reduced efficiency and reserve capacity.

How does aging affect tissue elasticity and lean tissue mass?

Both decrease.

How does aging affect liver and kidney function?

Both functions are decreased.

Why is it harder for older adults to increase their metabolic rate during surgery?

Impaired metabolic regulation.

Why are older adults at higher risk of hypothermia during surgery?

Impaired thermoregulation.

How can surgical positioning affect older adults?

May cause tendon strain, decreased mobility, and stress on tissues with reduced elasticity.