(^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