What is the purpose of NPO before surgery?
To prevent aspiration during anesthesia
What is the role of a circulating nurse?
Manages environment, documents, and patient safety
What is the first assessment in PACU?
Airway and breathing
What are the ABCs in post-op care?
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
What are the Signs of hemorrhage?
Low BP, high HR, bleeding, pallor
What are the informed consent requirements?
Patient must be competent, informed, and voluntary
Sterile vs. clean technique in the intraoperative phase?
Sterile used in surgery; clean for non-invasive procedures
What are the signs of wound infection?
Redness, swelling, warmth, purulent drainage
Patient has a latex allergy. What are the Latex allergy precautions?
Use latex-free equipment and alert surgical team
What are Pulmonary embolism symptoms?
Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia
What is Pre-op teaching for a diabetic patient?
Discuss blood glucose monitoring and insulin adjustments
What are the Malignant hyperthermia signs?
Muscle rigidity, high fever, tachycardia
How do we prevent DVT post-op?
Early ambulation, compression devices, anticoagulants
What is the priority with low O2 sat?
Assess the airway and apply oxygen
What are the indicators of paralytic ileus?
Absent bowel sounds, distension, nausea
What is the risk of herbal supplements?
May increase bleeding or interact with anesthesia.
What is the purpose of the Time-out procedure?
Verify patient, procedure, and site to prevent errors
How do you manage post-op nausea?
Administer antiemetics and reposition the patient
What are Fall risk interventions?
Bed alarms, assistive devices, and frequent rounding
What is Dehiscence vs. evisceration?
Dehiscence: wound opens; Evisceration: organs protrude
What laboratory tests should be performed before surgery?
CBC, electrolytes, coagulation profile (PT, PTT, INR), renal function (Creatine, BUN, eGFR, Urinalysis)
What is positioning injury prevention?
Use padding and proper alignment to avoid nerve damage.
How do you identify pain vs. complication signs
Unrelieved pain with abnormal findings may indicate complication
What is surgical site verification?
Surgeon marks site and team confirms before surgery
What are the interventions for shock?
Oxygen, fluids, monitor vitals, notify provider