Question

A patient having an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a left lower leg fracture will receive regional anesthesia during the procedure. As the patient is prepared in the operating room, what should the nurse implement to maintain patient safety during surgery that is directly related to the type of anesthesia being used?

1. Apply grounding pad to unaffected leg.
2. Assess peripheral pulses and skin color.
3. Verify the last oral intake before surgery.
4. Ensure a smooth surface under the patient.

Answer 1

2. Assess peripheral pulses and skin color.To maintain safety during ORIF with regional anesthesia, the nurse should verify the patient's last oral intake, ensure proper administration of prophylactic antibiotics, and check that essential imaging is available. Additionally, perioperative safety measures include confirming patient identity and procedure details, as well as a "time out" before incision.

Step-by-step explanation:

During an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a left lower leg fracture with regional anesthesia, maintaining patient safety is paramount. When the patient is prepared in the operating room, it is crucial to verify the last oral intake before the surgery. This ensures the patient's risk of aspiration is minimized since the protective airway reflexes may be diminished with anesthesia. Pre-surgery checks should also include confirmation that prophylactic antibiotics have been administered if indicated, usually 60 minutes before incision, to prevent surgical site infections. Additionally, all essential imaging must be verified and displayed in the operating room for reference during the procedure.

The safety checklist before the surgery includes verifying the patient's identity, surgical site and procedure, and consent. The scope of perioperative nursing care includes ensuring the pulse oximeter is on the patient and functioning, and the entire team being aware of any known allergies the patient has. Lastly, a time out is performed by the entire team just before skin incision to orally confirm all critical aspects of the surgery.During an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, a patient will receive regional anesthesia. To maintain patient safety, the nurse should implement several measures directly related to the type of anesthesia being used. One important measure is to assess peripheral pulses and skin color. This helps ensure that proper blood flow is maintained during the procedure. Another measure is to apply a grounding pad to the unaffected leg to prevent the risk of electrical injury. Lastly, ensuring a smooth surface under the patient helps prevent unnecessary movement and potential complications during the surgery.