Pre-operative Procedure

Purpose
• To prepare the patient emotionally, mentally and physically for surgery.
• To prevent any complication before, during and after surgery.

Equipment
As necessary
• It is important that the patient be in a good state of physical health before he has surgery. Unless it is an emergency operation.
• He should have balanced diet, fluid, sleep and rest before his surgery.
• The patient’s mental state is important to his recovery. Try to relieve his fears about the operation and any fear of death: explain to him what will be done and that every measure will be taken for his safety.

Procedure
The day before surgery:
Physical preparation
• Give the patient a complete bed bath to keep the body clean before surgery. Give special attention to the umbilicus and other areas of the body. Keep the fingernails and the nails of the toe short and clean.
• Be sure the patient’s hair is clean. If the surgery is on the face, neck, shoulders or upper chest, the hair should be the thoroughly washed, combed and tied up to keep it from touching the operative area. If the surgery is on the head the area must be shaved and the hair washed.
• If an enema has been ordered, give the night before surgery. Be sure this is given and is effective. Chart the results.

Psychological preparation
• If the patient does not yet understand what will be done. Explain briefly what the operation is and how it will help him. Avoid telling him anything that would make him worry.
• It is important that the patient has a good sleep the night before his operation. Make him comfortable and turn out the light in his room early. If he is unable to sleep report to the doctor.
• Have patient or relative sign consent for the operation
• Instructs patient about deep breathing and cough exercise

Day of Surgery:
• If the surgery is in the morning be sure the patient is prepared early. Any thing abnormal such as pain, fever cough rapid pulse or elevated blood pressure must be reported immediately. The surgery may have to be canceled or delayed until the patient is well.
• If the surgery is in the morning, nothing should be taken by mouth after midnight (N.P.O.) if the surgery is in the afternoon., fluids and food should not be taken in the morning depending on the orders
• Check the cleanliness of body areas, umbilicus, nails and hair.
• Shave the hair from the skin of the operative area thoroughly. Some one should check to see if all the hair has been removed. Wash the skin well with soap and water before and after shaving.
• Cheek the orders for preoperative treatment, such as enema, catheterization of folly catheter.
• The patient’s temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure should be taken and recorded on the chart just before surgery.
• Give the premeditation as ordered, being careful to give the tight amount at the right time to the right patient and record.

Just before surgery
• Have the patient void, if he is unable to void inform the doctor.
• Assist patient to move to the stretcher. The patient may be very sleepy or dizzy from the preoperative medications and may hurt himself. Support the stretcher to keep it from rolling as the patient moves onto it.
• Make sure his elbows are close to his sides or over his chest prevent them from being pumped as the stretcher passes through doorways.
• Reassure him as you take him to the operating room
• Make sure the chart is complete and take to the theater with the patient.