Postoperative care



Definition

Postoperative care is the management of a patient after surgery. This includes care given during the immediate postoperative period, both in the operating room and postanesthesia care unit (PACU), as well as during the days following surgery.

Purpose

The goal of postoperative care is to prevent complications such as infection, to promote healing of the surgical incision, and to return the patient to a state of health.


Description

Postoperative care involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation. The extent of postoperative care required depends on the individual's pre-surgical health status, type of surgery, and whether the surgery was performed in a day-surgery setting or in the hospital. Patients who have procedures done in a day-surgery center usually require only a few hours of care by health care professionals before they are discharged to go home. If postanesthesia or postoperative complications occur within these hours, the patient must be admitted to the hospital. Patients who are admitted to the hospital may require days or weeks of postoperative care by hospital staff before they are discharged.


Postanesthesia care unit (PACU)

The patient is transferred to the PACU after the surgical procedure, anesthesia reversal, and extubation (if it was necessary). The amount of time the patient spends in the PACU depends on the length of surgery, type of surgery, status of regional anesthesia (e.g., spinal anesthesia), and the patient's level of consciousness. Rather than being sent to the PACU, some patients may be transferred directly to the critical care unit. For example, patients who have had coronary artery bypass grafting are sent directly to the critical care unit.

In the PACU, the anesthesiologist or the nurse anesthetist reports on the patient's condition, type of surgery performed, type of anesthesia given, estimated blood loss, and total input of fluids and output of urine during surgery. The PACU nurse should also be made aware of any complications during surgery, including variations in hemodynamic (blood circulation) stability.

Assessment of the patient's airway patency (openness of the airway), vital signs , and level of consciousness are the first priorities upon admission to the PACU. The following is a list of other assessment categories:

The patient is discharged from the PACU when he or she meets established criteria for discharge, as determined by a scale. One example is the Aldrete scale, which scores the patient's mobility, respiratory status, circulation, consciousness, and pulse oximetry. Depending on the type of surgery and the patient's condition, the patient may be admitted to either a general surgical floor or the intensive care unit . Since the patient may still be sedated from anesthesia, safety is a primary goal. The patient's call light should be in the hand and side rails up. Patients in a day surgery setting are either discharged from the PACU to the unit, or are directly discharged home after they have urinated, gotten out of bed, and tolerated a small amount of oral intake.


First 24 hours

After the hospitalized patient transfers from the PACU, the nurse taking over his or her care should assess the patient again, using the same previously mentioned categories. If the patient reports "hearing" or feeling pain during surgery (under anesthesia) the observation should not be discounted. The anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist should discuss the possibility of an episode of awareness under anesthesia with the patient. Vital signs, respiratory status, pain status, the incision, and any drainage tubes should be monitored every one to two hours for at least the first eight hours. Body temperature must be monitored, since patients are often hypothermic after surgery, and may need a warming blanket or warmed IV fluids. Respiratory status should be assessed frequently, including assessment of lung sounds (auscultation) and chest excursion, and presence of an adequate cough. Fluid intake and urine output should be monitored every one to two hours. If the patient does not have a urinary catheter, the bladder should be assessed for distension, and the patient monitored for inability to urinate. The physician should be notified if the patient has not urinated six to eight hours after surgery. If the patient had a vascular or neurological procedure performed, circulatory status or neurological status should be assessed as ordered by the surgeon, usually every one to two hours. The patient may require medication for nausea or vomiting, as well as pain.

Patients with a patient-controlled analgesia pump may need to be reminded how to use it. If the patient is too sedated immediately after the surgery, the nurse may push the button to deliver pain medication. The patient should be asked to rate his or her pain level on a pain scale in order to determine his or her acceptable level of pain. Controlling pain is crucial so that the patient may perform coughing, deep breathing exercises, and may be able to turn in bed, sit up, and, eventually, walk.

Effective preoperative teaching has a positive impact on the first 24 hours after surgery. If patients understand that they must perform respiratory exercises to prevent pneumonia; and that movement is imperative for preventing blood clots, encouraging circulation to the extremities, and keeping the lungs clear; they will be much more likely to perform these tasks. Understanding the need for movement and respiratory exercises also underscores the importance of keeping pain under control. Respiratory exercises (coughing, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry) should be done every two hours. The patient should be turned every two hours, and should at least be sitting on the edge of the bed by eight hours after surgery, unless contraindicated (e.g., after hip replacement ). Patients who are not able to sit up in bed due to their surgery will have sequential compression devices on their legs until they are able to move about. These are stockings that inflate with air in order to simulate the effect of walking on the calf muscles, and return blood to the heart. The patient should be encouraged to splint any chest and abdominal incisions with a pillow to decrease the pain caused by coughing and moving. Patients should be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) if ordered by the surgeon, at least until their cough and gag reflexes have returned. Patients often have a dry mouth following surgery, which can be relieved with oral sponges dipped in ice water or lemon ginger mouth swabs.

Patients who are discharged home after a day surgery procedure are given prescriptions for their pain medications, and are responsible for their own pain control and respiratory exercises. Their families (or caregivers) should be included in preoperative teaching so that they can assist the patient at home. The patient should be reminded to call his or her physician if any complications or uncontrolled pain arise. These patients are often managed at home on a follow-up basis by a hospital-connected visiting nurse or home care service.


After 24 hours

After the initial 24 hours, vital signs can be monitored every four to eight hours if the patient is stable. The incision and dressing should be monitored for the amount of drainage and signs of infection. The surgeon may order a dressing change during the first postoperative day; this should be done using sterile technique. For home-care patients this technique must be emphasized.

The hospitalized patient should be sitting up in a chair at the bedside and ambulating with assistance by this time. Respiratory exercises are still be performed every two hours, and incentive spirometry values should improve. Bowel sounds are monitored, and the patient's diet gradually increased as tolerated, depending on the type of surgery and the physician's orders.

The patient should be monitored for any evidence of potential complications, such as leg edema, redness, and pain (deep vein thrombosis), shortness of breath (pulmonary embolism), dehiscence (separation) of the incision, or ileus (intestinal obstruction). The surgeon should be notified immediately if any of these occur. If dehiscence occurs, sterile saline-soaked dressing packs should be placed on the wound.


Preparation

Patients receive a great deal of information on postoperative care. They may be offered pain medication in preparation for any procedure that is likely to cause discomfort. Patients may receive educational materials such as handouts and video tapes, so that they will have a clear understanding of what to expect postoperatively.


Aftercare

Aftercare includes ensuring that patients are comfortable, either in bed or chair, and that they have their call lights accessible. After dressing changes, blood-soaked dressings should be properly disposed of in a bio-hazard container. Pain medication should be offered before any procedure that might cause discomfort. Patients should be given the opportunity to ask questions. In some cases, they may ask the nurse to demonstrate certain techniques so that they can perform them properly once they return home.

Normal results

The goal of postoperative care is to ensure that patients have good outcomes after surgical procedures. A good outcome includes recovery without complications and adequate pain management . Another objective of postoperative care is to assist patients in taking responsibility for regaining optimum health.

See also Preoperative care .


Resources

books

Beauchamp, Daniel R., M.D., Mark B. Evers, M.D., Kenneth L. Mattox, M.D., Courtney M. Townsend, and David C. Sabiston, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 16th ed. London: W B Saunders Co., 2001.

Lawrence, Peter F., Richard M. Bell, and Merril T. Dayton, eds. Essentials of General Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

Lubin, Michael F., H. Kenneth Walker, and Robert B. Smith, eds. Medical Management of the Surgical Patient. 4th ed. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Ponsky, Jeffrey, Michael Rosen, Jason Brodsky, M. D., Frederick Brody, M.D., and Jeffrey L. Ponsky. The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Surgical Patient Management, 1st ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, 2002.

periodicals

Barone, C. P., M. L. Lightfoot, and G. W. Barone. "The Postanesthesia Care of an Adult Renal Transplant Recipient." Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 18, no.1 (February 2003): 32 41.

Smykowski, L., and W. Rodriguez. "The Post Anesthesia Care Unit Experience: A Family-centered Approach." Journal of Nursing Care Quality 18, no. 1 (January-March 2003): 5-15.

Wills, L. "Managing Change Through Audit: Post-operative Pain in Ambulatory Care." Paediatric Nursing 14, no.9 (November 2002): 35-8.

organizations

National Institutes of Health. 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. (301) 496-4000. Email: NIHInfo@OD.NIH. GOV. http://www.nih.gov/ .


Abby Wojahn, RN , BSN, CCRN Crystal H. Kaczkowski, MSc.



User Contributions:

1
jiji
article is very useful for improving knowledge. presented in a simple and understandable manner.
2
Dee
i am a RN and just graduated with my bachelor degree and working on my masters.At first i wasn't to sure about what postoperative because i just got a phone call by my manager is that i was just assign to another floor but now i do understand what it is!!!
3
abdel lateef
HOW ABOUT N - CARE PT POST RENAL TRANS PLANT
AND PRI OPRATIVE CARE.
THEIN HOW TO COMLICATION
4
Doris Shreibman
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Doris
an article about postoperative management and nursing care I found on the internet
I am looking for research that explains the optimum time to teach pts. post-op. I am aware that pre-procedure is a good time, but if no teaching was done pre, and I am in an an out-pt surgical setting, how soon after arrival to Phase II, are pts ready to take in and retain information?
Thank you so much for this article , it was very helpful and informative in my studies. Its something to share with my colleagues.
hi, im Siya a student nurse in UFH doing my 1st year ,the problem is that i have given the task to perfom the pre and post operative care procedure so i would like you tohelp me on what must i have,what equiptment/apparatus must i use ,& plz i would also like to perfom both procedures in the note you gona send.
This article is very helpful for a lay person coping with a post operative loved one
Hi am Tataw,a final year Higher National Diploma student at the IAMS,Buea.Am looking for sample questions that could be used to carry out a research on,NURSING CARE FOR A POSTOPERATIVE PATIENT WITHIN 24 HOURS.Am currently on clinical placement and i wish to test the knowledge of nurses on this.
ITS very helpfull to improve our knowledge .. we can improve our pre and post op care ...
I am about to start a 13 week assignment in PACU, and the article was lucid.
thank it is very useful knowledge presented in a simple and understandable manner. thank it is very useful knowledge presented in a simple and understandable manner.
the article very gd and easy to understand the step hw we implement to patients during post operative care since im nursing students.
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Two months before I had the bladder prolapse surgery & the surgeon removedthe utrous also.I don't know the reason but now I am facing severe hair fall.Can you please tell me what might be the cause.Thanking you-Geeta.
18
Imelda Cormanes
Informative. Site should post more latest updates regarding common nursing procedures done in post anesthesia care unit.
19
Hazrat Bilal
I m student of doctor of physical therapy in Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan.
My surgery teacher give me assignment on initial 24 hour postoperative recovery.
This article help me a lot. A bundle of thanks for the author.
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Hazrat Bilal Malakandi
20
suelangdon
like the site.very helpful and informative when you're not sure of what to expect with patient postoperative recovery.
21
Yamikani Sikwese
I am a student nurse @ Kamuzu College Of Nursing.your article is full of informative informatiion
that would make one even more competent in nursing practice. thank you.
22
Salaad
I m student of doctor of clinical medicine for Medical University at Somalia, Mogadishu.
My surgery teacher give me assignment on initial 24 hour postoperative recovery.
This article help me a lot. A bundle of thanks for the author.
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23
subhra bera
I AM A STUDENT OF MEDICAL STUDENT OF BANKURA SAMMILANI MEDICAL COLLEGE.THIS ARTICLE HELP ME A LOT.HATS OFF TO U.
This article is very useful 4 nursing care after surgery.
25
NOLASCO
Iam a student nurse at Makeni college of nursing.ur article really helped me
26
eva
I am a student of western Hills school of nursing and my surgery lecturer gave me a pre operative and post Operative care of a patient undergoing a surgery and your article really helped me alot. Thanks
27
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28
Ningareddy
I am a medical student teacher given me assinment this article helped me many times,,thank yu lot
29
martha ofosuhemaa
please what is the nursing responsibilities after spinal anaesthesia?
30
ruchi
can anyone briefly explain the 5 components of aldrete scoring system ? discuss their importance when considering the patient discharge from PACU ?
31
jen
Good information and give me some idea to filled up my research
32
kiboss
how long a patient is suppose to take oral sips and progress to take sold food?
33
Nandipa
Hi, I'm Nandi a level one Nursing Science student at the university of fort hare. I was given an assignment to research on post operative care, your article helped me a lot ,so thank you very much.
34
Conny Motsei
Thanks for such an informative article. It helped me to develop quality improvement strategies related to patient post surgery. Keep up the good work, we are right behind you!!
35
malu
Information is given in a systematic manner..care after discharge of the patient is also important
36
Devika
It's very good information for me..It has a systematic manner..It helps me very much in my studies ..so thanks very much
Hello guys!! I'm a new medical student. I have thesr three questions that i need your help please.
1. What should a nurse prepare for the post operative care
2. Magnitude of post operative sepsis worldwide, and Africa.
Check me on my email please
38
Saivina
This is most important for nursing profession to look after the patient post operatively rather than doctor
39
Dagosi
Good refresher post op nursing care instructions made simple!
40
Rafiq khan
It is very useful for paramedical students. (such as nursing, Ot students n 4 Anesthesia technologist.)
41
Nambowe Sandra
Thank you so much for this article it has really been of good help, besides i had an assignment regarding post op and pre op care. Thanks once more.
42
Asiimwe Hilary
Useful information it has opened my minds and it has helped me
43
Mr. K Simon
I a student nurse all the way from Namibia, after reading this article , I really learnt a lot ,though I have been struggling to catch up during my lectures class...keep up with good work,
44
Preeti tripathi
Very useful information for my studies so thank you so much
45
Priscilla Banda
Am a student nurse from Zambia(Lusaka Apex Medical University)your article has really helped me to catch up on some things. Thank you
46
Maree
I want Biblography for postoperative complication observation and nursing management
47
Austin
Thank you so much
I am a Nursing student that I've been given a task on this Post Op Care
48
Christine Lewis
Hip surgery 10 September 2019 - plated and screwed in elderly Aunt. 8 November 2019 knotted stitches are are still in operation wound. When the Staff were questioned we were told this is based on instruction or not from the Surgeon. My Aunt was in the hospital for 2 weeks before being moved to a rehabilitation center.
Is this normal practice these days as I cannot find anyone who has experienced anything like this?
Thank you
49
Eby
This was so detailed and very useful to me. It was very helpful as I am a nursing student and will have my duty in the obstetric post operative care unit.Thanks a lot
In many cases, packs or nasal packing is placed in the nose to control postoperative bleeding. The surgeon will tell the patient when to return to the office to have these packs removed. Patients may need to call the office to schedule this postoperative appointment. Please arrange for someone to drive the patient to and from the office for this first visit in case any complications (for example, additional bleeding) develop. Patients should eat a light meal before coming, and avoid taking excessive pain medications. In addition, most patients will also have several subsequent office visits scheduled to assess healing, remove crusts, and insure a speedy recovery. These visits are very important as the surgeon may use the endoscope (camera to look in the nose) to clean up the sinuses and perform further debridement if necessary. This post-operative surveillance by the surgeon is very crucial in the individual s long-term success with the surgery.
After arthroscopic meniscus repair, the patient generally has a cryocuff and a knee brace. The cryocuff is cold, compression device, that consists of a bladder around the knee and a cooler for ice a water. Using gravity to empty and fill the bladder, the knee can be kept cool to minimize swelling and decrease pain. The brace keeps the leg straight. Depending on the pattern of the tear, full weight-bearing in the brace may be permitted immediately after surgery. Taking it easy the first two days after surgery, with the limb propped up when sitting helps keep swelling to a minimum, and will actually speed recovery. During this time, pumping the ankle up and down is recommended to improve blood flow in the leg. Specific post operative instructions will be reviewed prior to discharge.

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