Surgery is a specific and special type of science that involves treating diseases or injuries. Surgeries may occur for many reasons such as to diagnosis, cure, alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, improve for cosmetic reasons, or even to explore a certain disease that a patient may have. On October 20th, 2015, I received the opportunity to experience the three phases of an umbilical hernia repair operation. During the preoperative phase, or first phase, the two major goals are to insure legal and safety issues are identified and addressed. The nurse I shadowed during the preoperative phase took many actions to obtain the two goals such as: determining physiologic factors directly or indirectly related to the surgical procedure that
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In preparation for surgery, the nurse also assumed the responsibility in confirming the patient had taken her antibacterial bath, did not have dentures, hearing aids, or contacts in, nails were free of polish, allergy and fall risk arm band was placed on the patient, and that she had no metal items in hair or jewelry on, and confirmed the patient knew what was being …show more content…
After the surgery was completed, the patient was admitted to the post anesthesia care unit, which is right next to the operating room allowing for immediate access to anesthesia and minimizing transportation after surgery. The ultimate goal of the PACU is to prepare the patient for transfer back to the inpatient unit. At St. Francis, they do a 1:1 bedside nurse to enable a close watch on the patient’s status after surgery. The nurse began the assessment of the patient by looking at her airway, breathing, and circulation status. The nurse identified initial signs of inadequate oxygen on the patient and placed a simple face oxygen mask on her. The nurse also assessed the electrocardiograph, blood pressure, body temperature, and skin condition. While monitoring these physical signs of the patient, the nurse performed a neurological assessment on the patient examining her level of consciousness, return of function of all extremities, pain level, pupils, or orientation. Nurses in the PACU have the responsibility of assessing the surgical site noting the dressing condition and if any drainage is present. Before the patient could be discharged from the PACU, her Aldrete Score had to be a nine or above. The Aldrete’s Score sheet is based on activity of extremities, respiration effort of, consciousness, the blood pressure percent of the preanesthetic value, and color of skin. The patient I observed was in PACU
In preparation for surgery, the nurse also assumed the responsibility in confirming the patient had taken her antibacterial bath, did not have dentures, hearing aids, or contacts in, nails were free of polish, allergy and fall risk arm band was placed on the patient, and that she had no metal items in hair or jewelry on, and confirmed the patient knew what was being …show more content…
After the surgery was completed, the patient was admitted to the post anesthesia care unit, which is right next to the operating room allowing for immediate access to anesthesia and minimizing transportation after surgery. The ultimate goal of the PACU is to prepare the patient for transfer back to the inpatient unit. At St. Francis, they do a 1:1 bedside nurse to enable a close watch on the patient’s status after surgery. The nurse began the assessment of the patient by looking at her airway, breathing, and circulation status. The nurse identified initial signs of inadequate oxygen on the patient and placed a simple face oxygen mask on her. The nurse also assessed the electrocardiograph, blood pressure, body temperature, and skin condition. While monitoring these physical signs of the patient, the nurse performed a neurological assessment on the patient examining her level of consciousness, return of function of all extremities, pain level, pupils, or orientation. Nurses in the PACU have the responsibility of assessing the surgical site noting the dressing condition and if any drainage is present. Before the patient could be discharged from the PACU, her Aldrete Score had to be a nine or above. The Aldrete’s Score sheet is based on activity of extremities, respiration effort of, consciousness, the blood pressure percent of the preanesthetic value, and color of skin. The patient I observed was in PACU