Pre-Op Basics
This must be removed before surgery, including rings and piercings.
What is jewelry?
This device helps patients take deep breaths to prevent pneumonia after surgery.
What is an incentive spirometer?
This is the LPN’s role in pre‑op when checking allergies and vitals.
What is patient assessment?
This surgical phase occurs while the patient is in the operating room.
What is the intraoperative phase?
A blood clot that travels to the lungs is called this life-threatening condition.
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Patients should avoid eating or drinking before surgery; this is called this status.
What is NPO
Boots/sleeves that inflate and deflate to prevent clots are called this.
What are sequential compression devices (SCDs) or compression sleeves/boots (intermittent pneumatic compression)?
LPNs help reduce anxiety by doing this for the patient before surgery.
What is providing education and emotional support?
Maintaining this prevents contamination during surgery.
What is a sterile field?
Redness, swelling, and warmth at the incision may indicate this
What is infection
This antiseptic soap is used before surgery to reduce infection risk.
What is chlorhexidine (CHG) or Hibiclense?
Tracking fluids in and out of the body is called this.
What is intake and output (I&O)?
After surgery, LPNs monitor these regularly to detect complications early.
What are vital signs?
This safety check confirms correct patient, procedure, and site before surgery.
What is a time-out?
Not ambulating after surgery increases risk for this condition in the legs.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Patients should not do this to their surgical site the day before surgery.
What is shaving?
A pillow is used for this technique when coughing after abdominal surgery.
What is splinting?
LPNs assist with this postoperative priority related to pain control.
What is administering and evaluating pain medication?
This type of anesthesia numbs only one specific area.
What is local anesthesia?
A patient is not NPO and is sent to surgery—this increases risk of this complication.
What is aspiration
Medications before surgery should be taken with only this amount of liquid.
What is a sip of water?
Walking after surgery helps prevent this serious complication.
What is a blood clot (DVT)?
This is the LPN responsibility when teaching the patient about recovery at home.
What is discharge teaching?
This team member focuses on airway management during surgery.
What is the anesthesiologist (or CRNA)?
Failure to use the incentive spirometer can result in this lung condition.
What is atelectasis?