Post operative Care of Specific Surgeries

Brain Surgery
• Patient must lie on his back with out pillows unless ordered otherwise.
• Room should be dark and quit to prevent irritation to the brain.

Breast Surgery
• Encourage deep breathing often, because of danger of pneumonia
• Special arm exercises should be given

Abdominal Surgery
• Encourage deep breathing
• Turn from side to side often
• Sit patient on edge of bed 1st day postoperatively and
• Start walking second day post operatively (unless contraindicated)
• Intake and output should be recorded
• If gastric suction is present make sure it is working properly
• Frequent mouth care for patients who are not allowed to drink.

Eye Surgery
• Must lie very still because the incision and sutures can be damaged by pulling on the eye muscles. Both eyes may be covered.
• Room may be quiet and dark
• Patient must be fed.

Spinal Surgery
• Must lie on abdomen of back with bed flat, and supported by fracture board mattress.
• Patient may be in a body cast. Care must be given to prevent bed scares where the cast rubs.

Thyroidectomy
• Place in high lowers position. This will make it easier to breathe since the pressure of dressing and swelling may give choking feeling.
• An emergency tracheotomy set should always be at the bedside or nurses office for first three days, in case of hemorrhage or swelling trachea.
• The complication “Thyroid crisis” must be reported immediately as death can occur if condition is not treated quickly.

Tonsillectomy
Child
• Lie on abdomen or side to prevent blood drainage into throat, lunge or stomach.
• Watch carefully for excessive bleeding.

Adult
• If conscious, he may sit in semi- fowler’s positron in order to spit the blood more easily.
• Watch carefully for excessive bleeding.

Study Questions
1. Mention the purposes of preoperative nursing care.
2. Why shaving is indicated before surgery?
3. Differentiate between the roles of scrubbed and circulating nurses in operating room.
4. State purpose of postoperative nursing care.
5. List some important equipment to provide care for immediate postoperative patients.
6. Why informed consent is required before surgery?