Question

Perioperative nursing care begins when the?

1)Patient is transferred to the operating room
2)Decision for surgery is made
3)Consent form is signed
4)Patient is transferred to the PACU

Answer 1

Perioperative nursing care starts when the decision for surgery is made and involves a series of safety checks and team confirmations to ensure patient safety throughout the surgical process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Perioperative nursing care refers to the nursing care provided before, during, and after surgery. This care begins at the point when a decision for surgery is made and it continues until the patient is transferred to their recovery room or post anesthesia care unit (PACU). A key component of this care is ensuring that safe surgical practices are followed to maintain patient safety and optimal outcomes.

Perioperative nursing care includes tasks such as reviewing the patient's medical history, confirming informed consent, checking for any allergies, confirming surgery specifics with the patient, and managing the patient’s care throughout the surgery. Critical steps within this care include a 'time out' procedure, where the entire surgical team, including nurses, surgeons, and anesthesia professionals, orally confirm key details like the patient's identity, surgical site and procedure, anticipatory critical events, sterility confirmations, and equipment availability. These steps are crucial in preventing errors and ensuring high standards of care.