Intraoperative Nursing Management Quiz

Study Notes

Glossary of Terms

Anesthesia: State of narcosis, analgesia, relaxation, and loss of reflexes.
Anesthesiologist: Physician specialized in administering anesthesia and monitoring patient conditions during surgery.
Anesthetic Agent: Substance used to induce anesthesia, including chemicals or gases.
Anesthetist: Health care professional (e.g., nurse anesthetist) trained to deliver anesthesia and monitor patients.
Circulating Nurse: Registered nurse coordinating and documenting patient care in the operating room.
Epidural Anesthesia: Achieved by injecting an anesthetic agent into the epidural space, resulting in loss of sensation and reflex.
General Anesthesia: Induces narcosis and loss of reflexes through pharmacologic agents.
Local Anesthesia: Injection of an anesthetic solution at the incision site to numb the area.
Malignant Hyperthermia: Life-threatening condition triggered by anesthetic agents; can lead to circulatory collapse if untreated.
Moderate Sedation: Depresses consciousness while preserving airway and response ability; previously known as conscious sedation.
Monitored Anesthesia Care: Administered by an anesthesiologist or anesthetist during moderate sedation.
Regional Anesthesia: Anesthetic agent injected around nerves to numb a specific area.
Restricted Zone: Area in the operating room requiring scrub attire and surgical masks.
Scrub Role: Professional responsible for maintaining sterility and assisting the surgeon.
Semi-restricted Zone: Area where scrub attire is required; includes surgical instrument processing spaces.
Spinal Anesthesia: Local anesthetic introduced into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord.
Surgical Asepsis: Absence of microorganisms in the surgical environment to prevent infection.
Unrestricted Zone: Area interfacing with other departments, including patient reception and holding areas.

Goals of Intraoperative Nursing Management

Maintain Asepsis to reduce infection risk.
Ensure Homeostasis throughout the surgical procedure.
Safe administration of Anesthesia.
Achieve Hemostasis, preventing excessive bleeding during surgery.

Patient Considerations in the Operating Room

Patients may experience a range of emotions from relaxation to high stress upon entering the OR.
Common fears include loss of control, the unknown, pain, death, and lifestyle changes which can increase anxiety.
Increased anxiety may necessitate higher anesthetic dosages and could affect recovery times and postoperative pain levels.
Patients face risks such as infection, surgical failure, complications from the procedure or anesthetic, and in rare cases, death.
Under sedation and anesthesia, patients lose cognitive functions and biological protective mechanisms, including reflexes and communication abilities.