Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^476) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified

Perioperative Care

The care of the surgical patient ideally begins when the patient is first informed of

the need for surgery. The surgical procedure may be a sudden, unexpected event for

the patient, resulting in stress and anxiety, such as necessary surgery following

trauma, or may be something that the patient has planned, such as a liposuction, far

in advance. The more time the patient has to prepare for surgery, both physically

and emotionally, the better able the patient is to cope with the physiological stresses

of the surgery. Nurses are in a position to care for the patient, provide necessary

education, act as patient advocate, and encourage health promotion behaviors.

Surgical Classifications

The American Society of Anesthesiology categorizes surgical procedures based on

the degree of risk to the patient. The urgency, location, extent, and reason for the

procedure are all considered, as well as the patient’s age; preexisting cardiovascular,

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Key Terms

Anatomical location

Anesthesia

Degree of urgency

Extent of the surgery

Informed consent

Intraoperative

Postoperative

Postoperative complications

Postanesthesia care unit

Preoperative

Preoperative clearance

Preoperative teaching

Risk for injury

Reason for surgery

Surgical procedures

Surgical team

Transfer of the patient

Surgical classifications

The preoperative period

The intraoperative period

The postoperative period

Cardiovascular complications

Respiratory complications

Infection

Gastrointestinal complications

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Learning Objectives