Preoperative Care
What must be signed, dated, and timed before nonemergent surgery to ensure legal consent?
Informed Consent
What must be locked on the stretcher when transferring a patient to the OR bed?
Wheels
What unit does a patient go to immediately after surgery for intensive nursing care?
Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Who is responsible for explaining the surgical procedure and obtaining informed consent?
Surgeon
What is a common intraoperative complication involving an allergic response?
Anaphylaxis
Name one item on the preoperative checklist that ensures patient identification
ID bracelet correct and on client
This type of anesthesia is delivered via inhalation or intravenous methods and affects the whole body.
General Anesthesia
This should not be removed until the patient’s gag reflex returns.
Oral Airway
This surgical team member manages the sterile instruments and assists the surgeon directly.
Scrub Nurse (or Scrub Role)
This condition is a rare but life-threatening reaction to anesthesia characterized by a rapid rise in body temperature.
Malignant Hyperthermia
This phase begins when the decision for surgery is made and ends when the patient is transferred to the OR bed.
Preoperative Phase
What is the minimum distance the surgical team must maintain from the sterile field to avoid contamination?
1 Foot
Name one indicator of hypovolemic shock or hemorrhage in the postoperative period.
Pallor, cool/moist skin, rapid respirations, cyanosis, rapid/weak/thread pulse, decreasing pulse pressure, low BP, concentrated urine
What type of air pressure is maintained in the operating room to reduce infection risk?
Positive air pressure
Name one safety measure to protect the patient from injury during surgery.
Grounding of equipment, restraints, not leaving a sedated patient unattended, etc.
Name two medications that can potentially affect the surgical experience and require assessment.
Any two from: Corticosteroids, Diuretics, Phenothiazines, Tranquilizers, Insulin, Antibiotics, Anticoagulants, Anticonvulsants, Thyroid hormone, Opioids, OTC/herbals
Name one intraoperative complication related to temperature regulation.
Hypothermia or Malignant Hyperthermia
What is the purpose of elevating the head of the bed 15 to 30 degrees in the PACU?
To maintain a patent airway and promote ventilation
Name two members of the surgical team besides the surgeon and nurses.
Anesthesiologist/CRNA and Surgical Technicians (or RNFAs/Certified Surgical Technologists)
What should a nurse do immediately if a transfusion reaction is suspected?
Stop the transfusion
Why are older adults more susceptible to temperature changes during the preoperative period?
Decreased subcutaneous fat and impaired thermoregulatory mechanisms
Describe one guideline for maintaining surgical asepsis regarding gown sterility.
Gowns are considered sterile in front from chest to the level of the sterile field, and sleeves from 2 inches above the elbow to the cuff
What are two goals of postoperative dressings?
Any two from: Provide healing environment, absorb drainage, splint/immobilize, protect, promote homeostasis, promote comfort
What are the three zones of the surgical environment, and what is allowed in the unrestricted zone?
Unrestricted (street clothes allowed), Semirestricted (scrub clothes and caps), Restricted (scrub clothes, shoe covers, caps, masks)
Why are older adults at higher risk for complications from anesthesia, and name one specific organ affected?
Decreased physiologic reserve (e.g., cardiovascular/pulmonary changes, liver inactivates anesthetics slower, kidney function reduced); one organ: liver, kidney, heart, or lungs