Post-Operative Management and Nursing Care Using The Nursing Process Part 1

1. POST -ANESTHESIA RECOVERY ROOM

What is Recovery Room?

Recovery room is an area located in the OR for the management of patients recovering from anesthesia. Recovery room also called as post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery room.

Purpose of the recovery room is to provide ongoing evaluation and stabilization of clients to anticipate, prevent, and treat complications after surgery.

This is important because the immediate post-operative phase has been associated with preventable problems which can result in death of the patient if left unattended or delayed.

What is a PACU Nurse?

The PACU nurse is skilled in the care of clients with multiple medical and surgical problems that can occur following a surgical procedure.

Personnel

• Anesthetist;
• Dedicated R/Ns one nurse to one patient; nurses must be familiar with nursing unconscious patients. She must vigilant to identify post-op problems; able to institute remedial action while waiting for Anesthetist.

2. PATIENT MANAGEMENT IN THE RECOVERY ROOM

1. There must be an Anesthetist / MO in the RR.
2. Every patient must be extubated in the OR before being transported to RR unless indicated.
3. Every post-op patient must be accompanied by an Anesthetist and R/N from the OR and passed over to the RR staff.
• type of anesthesia/surgery;
• complications encountered
• Intraoperatively and expected post-op problems
4. Patient care:
• Oxygen therapy via mask; BP, Pulse, and Oxymetry monitoring
• State of consciousness, color and respiration (chest movements)
• Airway support for unconscious patients
• Care of pressure areas (patient usually in supine with head end raised)
• Proper placement of limbs
• Observations of wounds, dressing and drains
5. In case of doubt or urgent need, immediately call for help.

3. WHAT IS THE NURSE’S ROLE IN POSTOPERATIVE CARE?

Nursing interventions that are required in postoperative care include prompt pain control, assessment of the surgical site and drainage tubes, monitoring the rate and patency of IV fluids and IV access, and assessing the patient's level of sensation, circulation, and safety.

Postoperative care is the care you receive after a surgical procedure. The type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you have, as well as your health history. It often includes pain management and wound care.

Postoperative care begins immediately after surgery. It lasts for the duration of your hospital stay and may continue after you’ve been discharged. As part of your postoperative care, your healthcare provider should teach you about the potential side effects and complications of your procedure.

4. OPERATION BED

It is a type of bed that is made ready to receive a patient returning from operating theatre. Purpose. To provide warmth.

Why is anesthesia equipment important? Anesthesia Equipment with Simplified Gas Delivery. Anesthesia equipment in the operating room environment is often used by medical professionals during surgical procedures to help prevent a patient from feeling pain and relax surrounding muscle.

5. WHAT ARE THE NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER ANESTHESIA?

Nursing interventions that are required in postoperative care include prompt pain control, assessment of the surgical site and drainage tubes, monitoring the rate and patency of IV fluids and IV access, and assessing the patient's level of sensation, circulation, and safety.