Circulating Nurse Role
This document is used as a cheat sheet or "recipe card" for surgery; it is specific to each surgeon for each surgery and used to pick all supplies needed for a procedure
Doctors Preference Card (DPC) or picklist
These are the three zones of the perioperative environment
Unrestricted
Semi-restricted
Restricted
These are the 3 phases of the VCH Surgical Safety Checklist:
Briefing
Time Out
Debriefing
List 5 responsibilities of the "AR" circulating nurse (patient care)
Patient check-in
Assist with intubation/anesthesia
Foley catheter insertion
Apply SCDs
Positioning
Skin prep
Apply blankets/warming devices
These are the 3 components of the fire triangle (and an example of each)
Ignition Source (e.g., ESU pencil)
Fuel (e.g., skin prep, surgical drapes)
Oxidizer (e.g., O2, nitrous oxide)
True or False: According to the VCH Professional Image Guideline, nail polish is permitted if it is fresh, non-chipped and a neutral colour
False—staff providing direct care to patients should maintain clean, short nails with no nail polish; prosthetic nails and nail art are not acceptable
When should shoe covers be worn in the perioperative environment?
When there is risk of spill (i.e., ortho, trauma cases, gyne) or if wearing non-dedicated OR shoes (i.e., street shoes)
This medication is used to treat MH
Dantrolene sodium
This is the correct process for verifying the consent with the patient during patient check-in
Ask the patient to state the procedure they are having (in their own words)
Verify the document is complete: (1) signed by patient and surgeon, (2) procedure matches what the patient has stated and what is booked on the slate
Describe the correct procedure for verifying the patient's identity
Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth; confirm this information and the MRN matches the facesheet
List 3 elements of a culture of safety
Safe environment
Effective communication
Appropriate staffing levels
Correct instrument care and cleaning
Fire safety
Patient-centeredness
Prevention of falls
Sharps safety
Teamwork
True or False: Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the surgeon (or Most Responsible Provider)
True—according to the Consent to Healthcare policy, the Most Responsible Provider obtains informed consent
The role of the nurse is to make a reasonable effort to ensure that a consent is in place, and to advise the surgeon if concerns arise regarding the validity of the consent
List the items/equipment you are required to check as part of your room safety check prior to each case
Slate
Confirm case cart
Code Blue button
Lights (room lights and operating lights)
Suction
Anesthesia Workstation (AWS)
OR bed
Room furniture (back table, ring stand, mayo stand, gown tables, garbage, linen, kick buckets, IV poles x2)
Equipment (ESU, smoke evacuator, warming device)
What does LAST stand for? What are the signs and symptoms?
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity
Symptoms include:
a) Metallic taste
b) Tingling in the mouth
c) Tinnitus
d) Dizziness
According to the Surgical Site Identification policy, these two criteria must be met for site marking to be waived
No laterality
Approached through a natural body orifice