Raucous Respiratory
This post op complication of fluid build up in the lower lungs can lead to infection and respiratory distress
What is Pneumonia?
This must be completed with each and every set of patient Vital Signs
What is a MEWS Score?
The most preventable cause of death in hospital.
This needs to be present in the chart in the patient's post-op orders to help guide staff regarding when the surgical dressing SHOULD be changed
What are post-op wound care orders?
These medications are contraindicated post bowel surgery due to the fragility of the healing surgical site
What are laxatives?
Air, fat or blood clots can cause this potentially life threatening complication.
What is a pulmonary embolus?
Support tool to guide the frequency of Nursing assessment for all post operative patient's on inpatient wards
What is the Surgical Assessment and Documentation Guidelines ?
Sepsis, inflammation, age>60years, obesity.
What are risk factors for developing a DVT?
This allows dressing changes to be completed PRN outside of the pre-ordered clinical parameters written by the Surgeon.
What is nursing critical thinking and clinical assessment?
Early mobilization, fluid intake, early advancement of the post-operative diet.
What is atelectasis?
WIND, WAVE, WOUND, WONDER, WALK
What are the 5W's of post-operative assessments?
unilateral: Redness, heat, pain, swelling.
What are potential signs of a DVT?
Although a Surgeon may request this be done to my patient's post-operative drain; it can not be done unless a nurse receives additional skill training
What is the flushing of a post-operative drain?
What is post-op day 0?
Eating meals in bed can increase a patient's risk for this.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
What is post-op delirium secondary to poor pain control and infection?
Early ambulation, compression socks, LMWH
This must be maintained on all drainage devices in order to ensure they are functioning properly and extracting fluid from the surgical site.
What is drain suction?
In addition to the devastating complication of obstruction or ileus; poor nutrition and bowel habits during the post-operative period can also place the patient at risk for this nutritional complication.
What is re-feeding syndrome?
Hypercoagulability, vessel wall injury, abnormal blood flow.
What is Verchcow's triad?
Upon arrival to the inpatient ward, the initial assessment and VS must be completed by this health care professional.
What is a Registered Nurse?
Peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, skin breakdown, skin grafts or traumatic wounds on lower extremities
Pack the wound with saline soaked sterile gauze, cover with a sterile ABD pad, and call the surgeon IMMEDIATELY!
What is the appropriate nursing intervention on MSP for Wound Dehiscence?
Although mild nausea post-op is to be expected and should be preventatively treated; worsening nausea accompanied by bloating, vomiting and decreased bowel sounds can be a sign of this.