Preoperative
This phase focuses on decreasing morbidity and mortality by performing assessments, teaching, and ensuring informed consent is obtained before sedation.
What is the preoperative phase?
These three elements—fuel, oxidizer, and ignition source—must be controlled to prevent this dangerous intraoperat
What is a surgical fire?
When a patient has a SpO₂ of 92%, has stable vital signs, pain control and is oriented, they are typically ready for this process.
What is to be discharged from the PACU?
This complication involves a sudden opening of a surgical wound but without protrusion of organs.
What is dehiscence?
Facial grimacing, guarding, and restlessness fall under this type of pain indicator.
What are nonverbal pain behaviors?
These medications, which affect clotting, are often stopped 7–10 days before surgery.
What are anticoagulants?
This OR team member manages the overall environment, ensures patient safety, and is not scrubbed in.
What is the circulating nurse?
Headaches after spinal or epidural anesthesia can be managed by keeping the patient in this position.
What is lying flat (supine)?
This postoperative complication involves organs protruding through the surgical incision and is a medical emergency.
What is evisceration?
Respiratory depression, constipation, and pruritus are examples of issues related to this particular drug category.
What are opioid side effects?
Skin cleansing or CHG wipes are used pre-operatively to reduce the risk of this.
What is infection?
Surgical asepsis in the OR is supported through environmental controls such as air filtration, sterilization, and temperature/humidity regulation.
What are measures to maintain the sterile environment?
The nurse encourages early ambulation to prevent this common postoperative clotting complication.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
This postoperative complication presents with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, and often occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs after surgery.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
The need for increasing doses of opioids to achieve the same effect refers to this concept.
What is tolerance?
This pre-op intervention reduces aspiration risk by ensuring the patient has not eaten or drunk anything for a specified period.
What is assessing NPO status?
Wrong site surgery, retained objects & pressure ulcers are categorized under this type of medical error that can lead to severe patient harm or death.
What are Never Events?
In the PACU, vital signs are typically taken every 5–15 minutes as part of this standardized communication method during handoff.
What is SBAR reporting?
Characterized by hypotension, tachycardia, cool clammy skin, and decreased urine output, this condition occurs when severe blood or fluid loss leads to inadequate tissue perfusion.
What is hypovolemic shock?
This electrical method uses stimulation to block pain signals.
What is TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)?
This surgical approach focuses on improving postoperative outcomes through early mobility, optimized nutrition, and reduced stress responses.
What is Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)?
This life-threatening hypermetabolic reaction to anesthesia is treated with dantrolene sodium and cold normal saline.
What is malignant hyperthermia?
The highest risk for opioid-induced sedation occurs at this time after surgery.
What is 24 hours post-op?
Common in the first 24–48 hours post-op, this condition involves alveolar collapse and can be prevented with deep breathing, coughing, incentive spirometry, and early ambulation.
What is atelectasis?
Guided imagery, hypnosis, and music therapy fall under this broader category of interventions.
What are alternative therapies?