Postoperative Nursing Care | NCLEX RN Review

Summary

This video tutorial focuses on postoperative nursing, particularly the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) phase. It covers the importance of monitoring vital signs, managing pain, assessing the surgical site, and maintaining fluid balance. The video outlines three phases of postanesthesia care, highlighting the necessity of a stable patient state for transfer to other units or home. It also addresses potential complications like hypoxemia, laryngospasm, and cardiovascular issues, emphasizing the critical role of nurses in immediate postoperative care.

Takeaways

• 🏥 Perioperative nursing includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, with postoperative care beginning in the PACU.
• 👩‍⚕️ Postanesthesia nurses must be prepared to manage complications and implement interventions based on the patient's status.
• 📈 Nursing interventions involve monitoring vital signs, managing pain, assessing the surgical site, and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance.
• 🛏️ The PACU is equipped with essential monitoring and emergency equipment, and its layout facilitates patient care and observation.
• 📊 The length of stay in the PACU is determined on a case-by-case basis, with no mandated minimum stay.
• 📚 PACU nurses require in-depth knowledge of anesthetic agents, surgical procedures, pain management, and potential complications.
• 🔄 Postanesthesia care is divided into three phases: immediate post-anesthesia, continued recovery, and ongoing care or discharge.
• 🌡️ The PACU nurse performs assessments including level of consciousness, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, and cardiac rhythm.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Respiratory complications such as airway obstruction, hypoxemia, and laryngospasm are serious and require prompt treatment.
• 🩺 Cardiovascular complications like hypotension, hypertension, and cardiac dysrhythmias are common and need to be monitored closely.
• 💊 Pain management is critical after surgery, with various methods available to ensure adequate relief and prevent complications.

Q & A

What is the definition of perioperative nursing?

Perioperative nursing encompasses the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of the patient's surgical experience.

What is the primary focus of the video tutorial?

The video tutorial focuses on the postoperative phase of perioperative nursing, specifically the care in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).

What is the role of the postanesthesia nurse?

The postanesthesia nurse must understand the patient's risks for complications and be prepared to implement interventions should there be a change in the patient's status.

What are the key nursing interventions in the PACU?

Key nursing interventions include monitoring vital signs, airway patency, neurologic status, managing pain, assessing the surgical site, assessing and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, and providing a thorough report of the patient's status.

What is the significance of the PACU location?

The PACU should be located near the operating rooms for efficient patient transfer and emergency response.

What are the three phases of postanesthesia care?

The three phases of postanesthesia care are: Phase 1 - immediate post-anesthesia period requiring one-on-one care, Phase 2 - continued recovery with stable pulmonary, cardiac, and renal functioning, and Phase 3 - ongoing care for patients needing extended observation and intervention.

What is the purpose of the Aldrete score in the PACU?

The Aldrete score is used to determine if a patient is stable enough to be discharged from the PACU. It measures activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation.

What are the symptoms of laryngospasm mentioned in the script?

The symptoms of laryngospasm include sternal retractions, crowing sounds, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia.

Why is monitoring for hypothermia important in the PACU?

Hypothermia can extend recovery, delay wound healing, and increase postoperative morbidity. It also increases oxygen demands and can impair coagulation.

What are the common cardiovascular complications encountered in the immediate postoperative period?

Common cardiovascular complications include hypotension, hypertension, and cardiac dysrhythmias.

How does the PACU nurse assess a patient's level of consciousness?

The PACU nurse assesses a patient's level of consciousness using tools like the AVPU scale or the Glasgow Coma Scale.