Questions and Answers
What is the primary responsibility of the scrub nurse during surgery?
Which task is specifically associated with the circulating nurse?
What phase occurs immediately after the completion of the surgical procedure?
Which of the following is NOT performed by the registered nurse first assistant (RNFA)?
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During the intraoperative phase, what is crucial to preventing surgical site infections?
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What is the primary role of the scrub nurse during a surgical procedure?
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Which of the following activities is NOT part of the circulating nurse's responsibilities?
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During which phase of perioperative care does the surgical scrub occur?
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What is a key principle that enhances patient safety in the perioperative environment?
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Which of the following best describes the partnership between the scrub and circulating nurse?
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What is a Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)?
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What practice is essential for maintaining a sterile environment in the operating room?
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When should prophylactic antibiotics be administered before surgical incision?
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What should be assumed if the sterility of an item is in question?
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How far must circulating personnel remain away from the sterile setup?
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What type of air pressure is required in the operating room?
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Which microorganism has the highest percentage of isolation resistance?
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What is required for effective eye protection under droplet precautions?
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What is required for airborne precautions beyond gloves and masks?
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Which wound classification is characterized by no signs of infection and no entry into respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts?
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What characterizes Class III: Contaminated wounds?
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Which of the following classifications includes wounds that are infected or show existing infections?
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What is one of the essential considerations for infection control measures in all surgical procedures?
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Study Notes
Perioperative Environment: Nursing Roles and Aseptic Technique
- Understanding of three phases of perioperative care: Preoperative Setup, Intraoperative Care, and Postoperative Care.
- Roles in perioperative nursing: Scrub Nurse and Circulating Nurse, both essential for patient safety.
Nursing Roles
Scrub Nurse
- Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) working within sterile field.
- Directly assists surgical team; possesses in-depth knowledge of surgical procedures.
- Anticipates needs, assembles instruments, and verifies their condition.
- Responsible for maintaining asepsis and conducting surgical counts.
Circulating Nurse
- RN who maintains non-sterile duties and oversees overall OR environment.
- Conducts patient assessments and develops tailored care plans.
- Assists anesthetist, manages patient positioning, prepares for surgery, and handles documentation.
- Ensures safety protocols are followed and serves as a coordinator for nursing activities.
Collaboration of Roles
- Emphasis on teamwork to enhance patient safety and quality of care.
- Effective communication is vital for procedural efficiency.
Preoperative Set Up
- Preparation before patient arrival and commencement of surgery.
- Activities include checking surgical equipment, preparing the room, and verifying the surgical procedure pick list.
Intraoperative Care
- Begins once the patient is positioned and anesthesia administered.
- Involves collaboration between Scrub and Circulating Nurses, effective specimen management, and documentation.
Postoperative Care
- Initiated at the conclusion of the surgical procedure.
- Duties include cleanup, disposal of materials, documentation, and patient transfer to the post-op unit.
Aseptic Technique
- Critical in preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) and maintaining sterilization protocols.
- Strict adherence to aseptic conditions, room airflow management, and appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics is essential.
Infection Prevention Strategies
- Practice strict asepsis; minimize room traffic and personnel.
- OR should have positive pressure and specific air exchange rates to maintain sterility.
Sterile Environment Management
- Effective surgical scrub and establishment of a sterile field are mandatory.
- Sterile items should be handled minimally; personnel must maintain proper distance from sterile fields.
Wound Classification
- Classification of surgical wounds based on microbial exposure and infection risk:
- Class I: Clean - Non-infected, no inflammation.
- Class II: Clean Contaminated - Mucous membrane entry without infection signs.
- Class III: Contaminated - Open wounds with infection signs, GI tract involvement.
- Class IV: Dirty/Infected - Existing infections or infected wounds.
Microbiology Insights
- Staphylococcus (MRSA): 43% resistance.
- Enterococcus faecium (VRE): 62% resistance.
- Escherichia coli: 11% resistance.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: 10% resistance.
Transmission-Based Precautions
- Contact Precautions: Eye protection, gown, and gloves.
- Droplet Precautions: N-95 mask and eye protection.
- Airborne Precautions: Similar attire with increased distancing in negative or positive pressure environments.
Key Takeaways
- Perioperative nursing combines specific roles and teamwork to ensure patient safety, effective communication, and adherence to aseptic techniques to minimize infection risks.
- Strict protocols are in place to classify wounds and manage aseptic environments in the operating room.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the essential concepts of perioperative nursing, including the different roles of scrub and circulating nurses. You'll explore surgical asepsis, the operating room environment, and best practices to prevent surgical site infections. Gain a comprehensive understanding of aseptic principles in perioperative care.
