Surg Tech Chapter 11 Part 3 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Surgical wounds are classified into ____ categories according to the degree of microbial contamination and are referred to in the patient record by _ ___.

four, Roman numeral

What is the classification for an uninfected, uninflamed operative wound where the respiratory, alimentary, genital, or uninfected urinary tracts are not entered?

Clean (Class I)

What classification describes an uninfected operative wound where the respiratory, alimentary, genital, or urinary tract is entered under controlled circumstances?

Clean contaminated (Class II)

What classification would an acute, nonpurulent, inflamed operative wound fall under?

Contaminated (Class III) Signup and view all the answers

How is a clinically infected operative wound classified?

Dirty (Class IV) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of postoperative wound care?

Prevention of infection and other complications Signup and view all the answers

_____ are devices that have been designed to remove unwanted fluids or gases from the body.

Drains Signup and view all the answers

If a dressing must be changed within _____ hours of initial application, what technique must be employed?

48, sterile technique Signup and view all the answers

For a contaminated wound, the skin and subcutaneous tissues are generally left open and packed loosely with fine mesh gauze, such as ______.

Iodoform Signup and view all the answers

What are ligatures used for?

To occlude vessels for hemorrhage control or for organ or extremity removal Signup and view all the answers

What is the surgical technologist's responsibility regarding needle holders?

To choose an appropriate needle holder based on size and depth Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with stick ties in anticipation of hemorrhage?

Loaded onto needle holders in advance of need Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Surgical Wound Classification

Surgical wounds are categorized into four types based on microbial contamination: Clean (Class I), Clean Contaminated (Class II), Contaminated (Class III), and Dirty (Class IV).
Class I wounds are uninfected and involve ideal surgical conditions without entry into certain tracts.
Class II wounds are also uninfected but involve controlled entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts.
Class III wounds involve acute inflammation or a break in sterile technique, leading to potential contamination.
Class IV wounds are clinically infected or involve perforated viscus and retained necrotic tissue.

Examples of Wound Types

Class I: Coronary artery bypass graft, total hip, and craniotomy procedures.
Class II: Appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and tonsillectomy.
Class III: Open fractures and colon resections with GI spillage.
Class IV: Resection of a ruptured appendix.

Postoperative Care

Primary goals include preventing infection and managing complications.
Use of drains is common to remove fluids or gases; multiple types may be necessary.
Dressings are applied using sterile technique to create an optimal environment for healing.
Dressings need to be changed under sterile conditions if they become wet or soiled, generally within 48 hours.

Drainage and Dressing Techniques

Open contaminated wounds are typically packed with fine mesh gauze and repacked twice daily.
Dressings support wound healing and require changes based on condition and signs of infection.
Iodoform packing is typically removed after 4 to 5 days if no infection is present.

Suturing and Ligature Information

Choice of suture depends on the patient's health, underlying conditions, and the nature of the wound.
Ligatures are used to control hemorrhage during surgical procedures and include various tying methods: free-ties, ligature reels, instrument ties, and stick ties.
Non-needled suture material standard lengths are typically 54 inches for absorbable and 60 inches for nonabsorbable types.
Superficial and deep bleeders require different suture lengths, generally 18 inches for superficial and 18-30 inches for deeper bleeders.

Suture Handling Best Practices

Proper handling prevents deterioration and damage to sutures, especially gut sutures and nylon.
Avoid crushing sutures and follow protocols to maintain sterilization and integrity during surgery.

Surgical Instrumentation

The needle holder clamps on the needle based on distance from the swaged end; never clamp the swaged area itself.
Upon use, the needle holder is placed in a neutral zone to ensure safety and sterility.
Needle holders can be exchanged on a one-for-one basis with a focus on maintaining sterility of both instruments and sutures.

Description

Test your knowledge of surgical wound classifications with these flashcards from Chapter 11 Part 3 of the Surgical Technology textbook. Learn about the categories of wounds and how they are documented in patient records. Prepare yourself for practical applications in the surgical setting.