NSG 3180 Unit 1 Exam Study Guide
Perioperative Nursing Phases 1. Preoperative Phase
Begins: Decision for surgery made
Ends: Transfer to operating room
2. Intraoperative Phase
Begins: Transfer to OR
Ends: Transfer to PACU
3. Postoperative Phase
Begins: Admission to PACU
Ends: Follow-up evaluation in clinical setting/home
Types & Purposes of Surgery
Purpose
• Diagnostic: Determine origin/cause (e.g., biopsy)
• Curative: Remove diseased tissue (e.g., tumor removal)
• Restorative/Reconstructive: Restore function (e.g., joint replacement)
• Palliative: Alleviate symptoms, not cure (e.g., tumor debulking)
• Cosmetic: Enhance appearance
• Rehabilitative: Improve function from disability (e.g., joint
stabilization)
Different Kinds of Surgery
• Emergent: Immediate (e.g., ruptured aneurysm)
• Urgent: Within 24-30 hrs (e.g., gallbladder infection)
• Required: Needs to be done (e.g., cataracts)
• Elective: Planned but not essential (e.g., hernia)
• Optional: Based on patient preference (e.g., cosmetic)
1
, Minimally Invasive vs. Traditional Surgeries
• Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS):
o Uses small incisions and specialized instruments. o Less pain
and scarring.
o Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
o Lower risk of infection.
• Traditional Surgery:
o Requires larger incisions.
o More tissue damage and longer recovery.
o Higher risk of complications.
o Used when MIS is not suitable.
Risk Factors for Surgical Complications
• Older adults (↓ reserve, ↑ comorbidities) Obesity (↑
respiratory/cardiac workload)
• Smoking (↓ lung function)
• Disabilities (positioning, communication)
• Chronic disease (diabetes, COPD, HTN)
• Medications (anticoagulants, corticosteroids, opioids)
• Anemia, infection, malnutrition
Most common complications seen during/after surgery:
• VTE/DVT
• Surgical site infections
• Pulmonary complications or infections
• Anesthesia reactions
2
Perioperative Nursing Phases 1. Preoperative Phase
Begins: Decision for surgery made
Ends: Transfer to operating room
2. Intraoperative Phase
Begins: Transfer to OR
Ends: Transfer to PACU
3. Postoperative Phase
Begins: Admission to PACU
Ends: Follow-up evaluation in clinical setting/home
Types & Purposes of Surgery
Purpose
• Diagnostic: Determine origin/cause (e.g., biopsy)
• Curative: Remove diseased tissue (e.g., tumor removal)
• Restorative/Reconstructive: Restore function (e.g., joint replacement)
• Palliative: Alleviate symptoms, not cure (e.g., tumor debulking)
• Cosmetic: Enhance appearance
• Rehabilitative: Improve function from disability (e.g., joint
stabilization)
Different Kinds of Surgery
• Emergent: Immediate (e.g., ruptured aneurysm)
• Urgent: Within 24-30 hrs (e.g., gallbladder infection)
• Required: Needs to be done (e.g., cataracts)
• Elective: Planned but not essential (e.g., hernia)
• Optional: Based on patient preference (e.g., cosmetic)
1
, Minimally Invasive vs. Traditional Surgeries
• Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS):
o Uses small incisions and specialized instruments. o Less pain
and scarring.
o Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
o Lower risk of infection.
• Traditional Surgery:
o Requires larger incisions.
o More tissue damage and longer recovery.
o Higher risk of complications.
o Used when MIS is not suitable.
Risk Factors for Surgical Complications
• Older adults (↓ reserve, ↑ comorbidities) Obesity (↑
respiratory/cardiac workload)
• Smoking (↓ lung function)
• Disabilities (positioning, communication)
• Chronic disease (diabetes, COPD, HTN)
• Medications (anticoagulants, corticosteroids, opioids)
• Anemia, infection, malnutrition
Most common complications seen during/after surgery:
• VTE/DVT
• Surgical site infections
• Pulmonary complications or infections
• Anesthesia reactions
2
