Post-Operative Management and Nursing Care Using The Nursing Process Part 2

3.4. Good patient education plan

Involve the patient from the very first treatment. Ask the patient to tell you how they would explain (step-by-step) their disease or treatment to their loved one. Make sure the patient understands the medications as you administer them. Make sure they understand how and when to refill medication.

The goal of the postoperative assessment is to ensure proper healing as well as rule out the presence of complications, which can affect the patient from head to toe, including the neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, hematologic, endocrine and infectious system.

Essentially, the discharge planning nurse serves as a connection between in-patient care and follow-up or out-patient care. They help to make sure that the patient and their family understand exactly what to do after discharge to prevent injury and encourage healing. They are a crucial part of proper patient care.