Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
Informed Consent and Site Marking Informed Consent: Definition Nurse’s Role in Consent Signing Site Marking Protocol Surgical Safety Protocols: Site Marking and Time Out Ensuring correct patient, procedure, and site is paramount in surgery. Individuals Authorized to Participate in Site Marking The responsibility for accurate site marking involves key personnel: Optimal Timing for Completing a […]
Anesthesia Medications and Emergencies
Anesthetic Agents and Induction Risks Barbiturate for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Common Classes of Anesthetic Induction Agents Periods of Highest Myocardial Infarction (MI) Risk A patient is most vulnerable to a myocardial infarction at two critical junctures: Importance of Limiting Peri-Induction Stress Anesthesia Induction Considerations for Asthmatic Patients Patients at Elevated Risk for Aspiration During Induction […]
Sedation, Anesthesia, and Pain Management
Moderate Sedation Moderate sedation allows patients to remain responsive while undergoing procedures. Definition of Moderate Sedation RN Scope of Practice for Moderate Sedation Monitoring for Moderate Sedation Additional Monitoring for Older Adults in Moderate Sedation Pre-Op Assessment for Alcohol, Cannabis, and Opioids New Rule for Children After Moderate Sedation RN Scope of Practice Location Patients […]
Lab Values, Temperature, Fluids & Electrolytes
Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) ABG interpretation is essential for understanding a patient’s acid-base balance. Normal ABG Values HCO3 How to Read an ABG – ROME Mnemonic Respiratory Acidosis Respiratory Alkalosis Metabolic Acidosis Metabolic Alkalosis ABG Compensation (for exam) Temperature Regulation Maintaining normothermia is vital for patient outcomes. Normal Temperature & Hypothermia Why Core Temperatures are […]
Perioperative and Intraoperative Emergencies
Patient Complications and Management Understanding common surgical complications and their management is crucial for perioperative nurses. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Air Embolism Air embolisms are serious complications that can occur during surgery. Common Procedures Resulting in Venous Air Embolism (VAE) Common Causes of Arterial Air Embolism (AAE) Signs of an Air Embolism (Both Venous and […]
Sterilization Documentation and Monitoring
Sterilization Documentation and Monitoring Accurate documentation and consistent monitoring are vital for patient safety. Required Documentation for Each Sterilized Item The following must be documented and traceable for every sterilized item: Instrument Tracking System Spore Testing (Biological Indicators)
Sterilization and Disinfection Methods
Spaulding Classification Systems for Medical Devices The Spaulding Classification categorizes medical devices based on the risk of infection they pose during use, dictating the level of reprocessing required. Critical Classification Devices in this category must be sterile as they are intended to enter sterile body tissue or the vascular system. Failure to sterilize these items […]
Product & Device Management
This category outlines the systematic approach to selecting, evaluating, and managing medical products and devices within a healthcare setting. Product and Medical Device Selection Product and Medical Device Selection Process
Advance Directives & Tissue Management
This category covers important patient rights related to end-of-life care and the stringent protocols for handling surgical tissues and specimens. Advance Directives DNR vs. AND (Allow Natural Death) DNR Orders in Surgery RN Authority to Suspend a DNR Surgical Tissue Banks and Specimens Regulation of Surgical Tissue Banks Why Autologous Tissue Must Be Separated from […]
Documentation & Records
This category covers the importance, methods, and legal implications of nursing and surgical documentation. Nursing Documentation Documentation is a critical aspect of nursing practice. Purpose of Nursing Documentation Documenting Errors on Paper Timestamps in Electronic Records Patient Handoffs Perioperative Nursing Data Sets (PNDS) The Nursing Process (ADPIE) The Nursing Process is a systematic approach to […]