What is Perioperative Nursing?

Perioperative Nursing focuses on the care for clients undergoing surgery. This deals with the nursing care provided pre-operatively (before an operation), intra-operatively (during an operation), and post-operatively (after).

Three Phases of Perioperative Nursing

  1. Pre-Operative

    The time when the patient decides to undergo surgery and ends when the patient is on the operating table.

  2. Intra-Operative

    The time from the operating table until the patient is transferred to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or the Recovery room.

  3. Post-Operative

    The time from the PACU until the last follow up visit.

What is Surgery?

Surgery is done to treat or diagnose a pathological condition, to alleviate predisposing factors that impede bodily functions, or to help improve the over-all performance of the body.

Conditions that Require Surgery:

  • Perforation. When there is rupture of an organ. (I.E. Tonsillectomy, Appendectomy)
  • Erosion. When there is wearing off of the tissue or membrane. (IE Otitis Media, Tuberculosis)
  • Obstruction. Obsruction of vital fluids in the body. (I.E. Trans-Urethral Resection of Prostate)
  • Tumor. A swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells.

Categories of Surgery According to Purpose

  • Diagnostic Surgery is often done to rule out a certain condition. (I.E. Biopsy)
  • Exploratory Surgery is done to confirm the diagnosis. (I.E. Exploratory Laparotomy)
  • Pallative Surgery is performed to alleviate pain or suffering.
  • Curative Surgery is performed to cure the disease of the patient. (I.E. Hysterectomy, Appendectomy)

Categories of Surgery According to Magnitude of Extent of Operation

  1. Major Operation is considered to be extensive. It involves handling or removal of vital organs. There is prolonged extensive repair and involves a high risk for bleeding. (I.E. Above the Knee Amputation, Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Bilateral Salphingectomy Oophorectomy (TAHBSO)
  2. Minor Surgery is considered to be not too risky. (I.E. Hemorrhoidectomy, Dilatation and Currettage)

Categories of Surgery According to Urgency

  1. Emergent This is to save life and limb. Is done within 24-48. (I.E. Accidents, Gun Shot Wounds, Stab Wounds)
  2. Urgent There is an urgency to perform the procedure. It has to be done immediately. (I.E. Bleeding)
  3. Elective
    • Optional. In an optional surgery, it is not necessarily forced or needed. (I.E. Cosmetic Surgery)
    • Planned/Required. A planned or required surgery is needed to be done but not immediately. (I.E. Non Bleeding Hemorrhoids)
  4. On the Day Surgery Out Patient Department (OPD); it does not require admission.