8.5 Patient Monitoring During Surgery: Recognizing and Responding to Changes in Patient Status
Patient monitoring during surgery is a crucial aspect of nursing in the operating room. It is a complex task that requires in-depth knowledge and technical skills, as well as a clear understanding of the physiological changes that can occur during an operation.
Patient Monitoring
Patient monitoring during surgery involves continuous observation and assessment of the patient's condition. This includes monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation and breathing rate. In addition, the nurse should monitor the patient's consciousness, pain level, and hydration status. In some cases, it may be necessary to monitor other parameters such as blood glucose levels or blood clotting.
Recognition of Changes in Patient Status
Recognition of changes in patient status is a fundamental skill in perioperative nursing. This involves being able to identify signs and symptoms of potential complications such as hypotension, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, hypoxia, hypothermia, excessive bleeding or allergic reactions. For this, the nurse must have a solid knowledge of human physiology and the possible changes that may occur during surgery.
In addition, the nurse must be able to interpret the data provided by monitors and medical equipment. This includes reading and interpreting electrocardiograms, understanding blood pressure values, interpreting pulse oximetry signals, and understanding laboratory test results.
Response to Changes in Patient Status
Once a change in the patient's status has been identified, the nurse must be able to respond appropriately. This may involve implementing nursing interventions such as adjusting fluid infusion, administering medication, adjusting mechanical ventilation, or applying life support measures. In severe cases, it may be necessary to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation or call in the rapid response team.
In addition, the nurse must be able to effectively communicate changes in the patient's status to the surgical team. This may involve using structured communication tools, such as the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) technique, to ensure that information is conveyed clearly and effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, patient monitoring during surgery is a complex task that requires a high level of technical knowledge and skills. Recognizing and responding to changes in the patient's status are crucial aspects of this task. Through effective monitoring, the nurse can help prevent complications, improve patient outcomes, and ensure safety during surgery.
