Perioperative Nursing Care

Introduction

• Presenter: Meris
• Focus: Perioperative nursing care
• Based on Fundamentals of Nursing flashcards (starting at card 141)

Perioperative Definition

• Encompasses care of surgical patients:
  • Preoperative (Pre-op)
  • Intraoperative (Intra-op)
  • Postoperative (Post-op)

Preoperative Care

• Day of Surgery:
  • Confirm informed consent is signed and witnessed.
  • Nurses should not answer procedure-related questions; refer to the surgeon.

Intraoperative Care

• Timeout Procedure:
  • Safety protocol where everyone pauses.
  • Involves:
    • Patient identification with two identifiers.
    • Surgical site verification if not already marked.
    • Verification of surgery details and patient allergies.

Postoperative Care

• PACU (Postanesthesia Care Unit):
  • Monitor respiratory status closely due to medication effects.
  • Have antidotes ready, e.g., naloxone or flumazenil.
  • Vital signs every 5-15 minutes as per facility policy.
  • Keep patient NPO until gag reflex returns.
  • Prevent hypothermia with warm blankets.

Ongoing Postoperative Care

• Key Concerns:
  • Signs of hemorrhage and shock.
    • Monitor vital signs, consciousness, pallor, diaphoresis.
  • Prevent and assess for DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis).
  • Encourage activities for oxygenation.
  • Monitor for infection signs:
    • Increased temperature and WBC count.
    • Tachycardia and surgical site changes (drainage, redness, odor).

Conclusion

• Encourages liking, commenting, and subscribing for more content.
• Invites sharing of video with classmates and nursing school peers.
• Wraps up Practice and Skills playlist.