Monitoring the patient during surgery is a crucial responsibility of the nursing staff in the OR. Among the various aspects that require attention, monitoring the patient's breathing and oxygenation is of paramount importance. Respiratory and oxygenation monitoring allows continuous assessment of the patient's vital functions, enabling early detection of complications and immediate interventions, ensuring patient safety and well-being.
Breathing Monitoring
Breathing monitoring during surgery includes assessment of breathing rate, breathing pattern, and breath sounds. Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a patient takes per minute. Any deviation from normality may indicate an underlying condition that requires immediate attention. Breathing pattern refers to the rhythm of breathing, which can be regular or irregular. Breath sounds, which are best assessed through auscultation, may reveal abnormalities such as wheezing, rhonchi, stridor, or crackles. These abnormalities may indicate conditions such as airway obstruction, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, among others.
The nursing team should continuously monitor the patient's breathing during surgery, recording observations and communicating any abnormalities to the surgical team. In addition, the team must be prepared to intervene in case of respiratory emergencies, such as respiratory failure, respiratory arrest or asphyxia.
Oxygenation Monitoring
Oxygenation monitoring involves assessing the level of oxygen in the patient's blood. This is usually done through pulse oximetry, a non-invasive procedure that uses a small device placed on the patient's finger, ear or toe to measure the oxygen saturation of the blood. Normal blood oxygen saturation is usually between 95% and 100%. Any value below 90% is considered low and requires immediate intervention.
The nursing team should monitor the patient's oxygen saturation throughout the surgery, recording the readings and communicating any abnormalities to the surgical team. In addition, staff must be prepared to administer supplemental oxygen or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of oxygenation emergencies.
Importance of Respiratory and Oxygenation Monitoring
Proper monitoring of the patient's breathing and oxygenation during surgery is vital to ensure patient safety. It allows early detection of complications, enabling immediate interventions to prevent further damage. In addition, it provides valuable information about the patient's response to surgery and anesthesia, helping the surgical team make appropriate adjustments to the patient's care plan.
In summary, monitoring the patient's respiration and oxygenation is an integral part of nursing in the operating room. It requires knowledge, skills and attention to detail to ensure the patient receives the best possible care during surgery.
