NURS 3350 Chapter 18: Med-Surg - Chapter 18
Document Summary
Anesthesiologists (physician) or anesthetist: administers the anesthetic agent and monitors the physical status of the patient throughout the surgery. Nurses: the or nurse is the patient advocate during the surgery process. Registered nurse first assistants or certified surgeon technologists. May feel either relaxed and prepared or nervous and very fearful. These emotions are very important because if a patient is fearful the desired anesthesia levels may need to be elevated, the postoperative pain may be elevated, and an increase in overall recovery time too. Gerontologic considerations -> almost 1/3 of surgical patients are over the age of 65, which means that there are more and more at a higher risk for surgery complications. This is due to a decrease is skeletal muscle tissue as well as adipose tissue, and a decrease in the immune"s system to fight off various infections during the process. Excessive or rapid administering of iv solutions can cause pulmonary edema.
