SECTION 1 — 9 Phases of Perioperative Period

 When does the preoperative phase begin and end?

It starts when the decision for surgery is made and ends when the patient is transferred to the OR bed.

When does the intraoperative phase begin and end?

It begins when the patient is placed on the OR bed and ends with transfer to PACU.

When does the postoperative phase begin and end?

It starts at admission to PACU and ends at full recovery and final follow-up.

What is the core principle of the AORN model?

The patient is at the center of all care decisions.

What are the three domains of the AORN model?

• Patient Safety

• Physiological Response

Behavioral Response

What are the urgency classifications of surgery?

Elective, Urgent, Emergency.

What are the risk classifications of surgery?

Minor and Major surgery.

What type of surgery is performed to remove a diseased organ?

Ablative surgery.

What does general anesthesia do?

Causes unconsciousness, muscle relaxation, analgesia, and amnesia.

What is moderate (conscious) sedation?

Depressed consciousness but the patient remains responsive.

What does regional anesthesia do?

: Numbs a specific body region while the patient is awake.

What happens during the induction phase?

Drugs are administered until the patient is unconscious, intubated, and stable.

What happens during the maintenance phase?

The incision is made and anesthesia is maintained at the needed level.

What happens during the emergence phase?

Anesthetic drugs are decreased and the patient regains reflexes and consciousness.

Where is spinal anesthesia injected?

Into the cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space.

Where is epidural anesthesia injected?

Into the epidural space, outside the dura mater.

What is a nerve block?

Anesthetic injected near a nerve or nerve plexus.

Who obtains informed consent?

The provider performing the procedure.

What is the nurse’s role in informed consent?

Witness the signature and verify competency and voluntariness.

What is same-day surgery?

Surgery where the patient returns home the same day.

What must be ensured before discharge?

Stability, post-anesthesia recovery, caregiver support, and teaching.

Why does nutritional status matter pre-op?

Poor nutrition increases risks of poor healing, infection, and respiratory compromise.

Why is substance use important to assess?

Risk for withdrawal, altered pain response, and respiratory depression.