Perioperative Patient Care Flashcards

Which electrosurgical unit (ESU) setting is used to cut tissue with a continuous waveform?

Answer: Cut

The 'cut' mode uses a continuous, unmodulated waveform that generates heat rapidly enough to vaporize cells and divide tissue.

A patient arrives to the OR suite and states, 'I have a pacemaker.' The surgical team's most important action is to:

Answer: Notify the anesthesia provider and plan to use bipolar electrosurgery or ultrasonic devices when possible

Monopolar ESU can interfere with pacemaker function; the team should alert anesthesia and plan to minimize or substitute electrosurgery.

Normothermia is maintained intraoperatively primarily because hypothermia can cause:

Answer: Coagulopathy, surgical site infection risk, and cardiac dysrhythmias

Intraoperative hypothermia impairs platelet function and coagulation cascade enzymes, increases SSI risk, and predisposes to cardiac arrhythmias.

Which of the following is the correct placement of the electrosurgical dispersive electrode pad?

Answer: On a large muscle mass close to the surgical site, away from implants or ECG leads

The dispersive pad must be placed on a well-vascularized muscle mass near the site to complete the circuit safely and avoid burns.

Intraoperative awareness under general anesthesia is most strongly associated with which patient scenario?

Answer: Cardiac or obstetric surgery patients who receive reduced anesthetic doses

Cardiac and obstetric surgeries often require lighter anesthesia to protect hemodynamic stability or the fetus, increasing intraoperative awareness risk.

Which item from the sterile back table must be accounted for in the final instrument count before wound closure?

Answer: All instruments, sharps, and soft goods including sponges

The final count includes all instruments, sharps (needles, blades), and soft goods to prevent retained surgical items before closure.

During a procedure, the scrub notices a 4×4 sponge is missing from the count. The appropriate next step is to:

Answer: Immediately inform the surgeon and initiate a search of the wound, field, and room

Any count discrepancy requires immediate notification of the surgeon and a systematic search of the wound, field, and surrounding environment before closure.