Study 09 Perioperative and Wound Care with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
Who explains a procedure and obtains informed consent?
The provider performing the procedure explains it and obtains informed consent. The nurse may witness the signature according to policy but should not explain risks beyond their role.
What does the surgical team verify during the time-out?
Immediately before incision, the team rechecks the patient, procedure, and site. Voice concerns about mismatches before proceeding.
What should be assessed first when a patient arrives in recovery?
Assess airway, breathing, and circulation first. Then assess consciousness, vital signs, oxygenation, pain, temperature, the incision or dressing, and other indicated measures.
What is healing by primary intention?
Primary intention occurs when wound edges are brought together.
What should a systematic wound assessment include?
Assess location and size, wound-bed and surrounding-skin appearance, edge approximation, drainage, odor, swelling, and pain. Note drains and their output.
Which changes may warn of a wound complication?
Report increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, wound separation, new or increasing bleeding, or thick, discolored, or foul-smelling drainage. Fever may also be a warning sign.
What is wound dehiscence?
Dehiscence is separation of a wound’s edges.
What is evisceration, and what is one immediate nursing response?
Evisceration is protrusion of internal tissue or organs through an opened abdominal incision. Get immediate help, cover exposed tissue with sterile gauze moistened with sterile saline, and do not push it back in.
Which findings suggest possible postoperative hemorrhage?
Rapidly increasing drainage, a saturated dressing, active bleeding, pallor, cool clammy skin, weakness, confusion, or falling blood pressure with a rising pulse may indicate hemorrhage. Stay with the patient and summon urgent assistance.
What should be checked around opioid administration, and what if breathing is inadequate?
Assess sedation and respiratory status before and after opioid administration. If the patient is unusually drowsy, difficult to arouse, or breathing inadequately, do not give another opioid dose; get help and follow emergency protocols.
Who should press a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) button?
Only the patient should press the PCA button unless the care plan and policy specifically authorize otherwise. Another person pressing it can increase the risk of oversedation and respiratory depression.
When should the preoperative consent process be paused?
Pause and notify the appropriate clinician if the patient has unanswered questions, appears unsure, or received sedating medication before consent is complete.