Module 21: Caring for the Surgical Client: Pre and Post-
Op Nursing Care and Client Education
What are the four specific domains from the AORN Perioperative Patient-Focused Model?
client safety, physiologic response, behavioral responses, the health system
What does the implementation stage of the nursing process during the preoperative phase include?
providing the client and family with education about the surgery, tasks that will occur, allowing the
client to give informed consent
When can a surgery be performed without the client signing and giving informed consent?
emergent cases
Can surgery be performed if there is no written or informed consent (except in cases of emergent
surgeries)?
no
What is the surgeon responsible for in relation to perioperative care?
obtaining consent, complete description of treatment and procedure
procedure, type of anesthesia, potential procedures, postoperative plan of care and potential
complications
What does an informed consent form include?
, Can the nurse answer any questions about a surgery for a client?
no, must get surgeon
What is the nurse responsible for in relation to consent?
certifying and witnessing informed consent, ensure the provider gives information and the client
understands, ensure pt. is competent
What must a patient be to give informed consent?
mentally capable, free from influence of medication that affects decision making, of age (18 or
emancipated)
What has to be done if a client cannot sign their own name and can only write an X?
two licensed healthcare providers have to sign to ensure the X is the clients signature
What is a tool used to document all preoperative activities performed, sign-in of the client, time out of
the procedure, and the sign-out of the client leaving the room?
surgical checklist
Pre-procedure Check In
in a preoperative ready area, patient/patient rep confirmed with nurse, identity, procedure and site
What is the primary goal of the surgical safety checklist (SSC)?
improve client safety and reduce surgical complications and deaths
Op Nursing Care and Client Education
What are the four specific domains from the AORN Perioperative Patient-Focused Model?
client safety, physiologic response, behavioral responses, the health system
What does the implementation stage of the nursing process during the preoperative phase include?
providing the client and family with education about the surgery, tasks that will occur, allowing the
client to give informed consent
When can a surgery be performed without the client signing and giving informed consent?
emergent cases
Can surgery be performed if there is no written or informed consent (except in cases of emergent
surgeries)?
no
What is the surgeon responsible for in relation to perioperative care?
obtaining consent, complete description of treatment and procedure
procedure, type of anesthesia, potential procedures, postoperative plan of care and potential
complications
What does an informed consent form include?
, Can the nurse answer any questions about a surgery for a client?
no, must get surgeon
What is the nurse responsible for in relation to consent?
certifying and witnessing informed consent, ensure the provider gives information and the client
understands, ensure pt. is competent
What must a patient be to give informed consent?
mentally capable, free from influence of medication that affects decision making, of age (18 or
emancipated)
What has to be done if a client cannot sign their own name and can only write an X?
two licensed healthcare providers have to sign to ensure the X is the clients signature
What is a tool used to document all preoperative activities performed, sign-in of the client, time out of
the procedure, and the sign-out of the client leaving the room?
surgical checklist
Pre-procedure Check In
in a preoperative ready area, patient/patient rep confirmed with nurse, identity, procedure and site
What is the primary goal of the surgical safety checklist (SSC)?
improve client safety and reduce surgical complications and deaths
