Perioperative Nursing Concepts

Overview

Perioperative Nursing encompasses the care of the surgical patient before, during, and after an operative procedure. It requires a high level of vigilance to prevent complications such as infection, hemorrhage, or respiratory distress. The nurse acts as a patient advocate throughout the entire surgical experience.

Key nursing concepts

• The preoperative phase begins when the decision for surgery is made.
• Intraoperative care focuses on safety, positioning, and sterile technique.
• Postoperative care prioritizes airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs).
• Malignant hyperthermia is a rare, life-threatening reaction to anesthesia.
• Wound dehiscence is the separation of wound edges.
• Early ambulation is the most effective way to prevent post-op complications.

Important nursing considerations

• Assess pain levels using a 0-10 scale before and after interventions.
• Verify bowel sounds and the passage of flatus before starting oral fluids.
• Monitor the surgical incision site for redness, warmth, or drainage.
• Ensure the patient performs leg exercises to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
• Check that the patient has voided within 6 to 8 hours after surgery.
• Maintain the patency of any surgical drains or tubes.

Patient teaching

• Teach the patient how to splint their incision with a pillow when coughing.
• Explain the purpose and use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.
• Instruct the patient on why they must remain NPO before the procedure.

Related practice questions

Real questions from the NursGuru bank, each with the answer and rationale.

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5. Practice question 5 →

Perioperative Nursing Concepts flashcards

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