Question

Pearl Richards, 69 years of age, is a female patient who is in the operating room for a repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient has a history of hypertension controlled with medications, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 40 years.

Qn1. What nursing interventions are instituted to reduce the surgical risk factors related to the patient’s age.

Qn2. Explain the role of the nurse in providing patient safety measures during the introspective period.

Answer 1

• Assess the vital signs
• Assess the hydration status of patient
• Assess psychological status of patient
• Provide pre medications before surgery for hypertension like betablockers and on preventive basis administer anticoagulants and antibiotics preoperatively if prescribed by physician.
• Provide DVT prophylaxis like applying antiembolism stockings because over 40 yrs of age and surgery in any patient may be a cause for DVT.
• Send the laboratory investigations ordered before surgery
• Use of antibiotic-impregnated central venous catheters to prevent catheter-related infection if ordered
• As the patient is 69 yrs old , to prevent impairment in skin integrity use pressure-relieving bedding materials