Post-Operative Care Planning

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Pages: 2

Care planning for post-operative patients consists of a comprehensive assessment, identification of health issues, setting care objectives - as well as establishing strategies worth implementing to achieve them, and utilising high quality evidence-based practice. The period of time immediately following surgery and patient arrival from the operating theatre is defined as the immediate postoperative recovery period. The process of recovery occurs in the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) where nurses assist healing, provide pain relief, prevent complications, and prepare the patient for transfer to general ward. During the immediate postoperative period, the patient must be monitored closely until the patient’s status begins to return to baseline, all the while performing the five moments of hygiene to prevent the spread of pathogens. After this time, in the case of 36-year-old abdominoplasty patient, Mrs. Callaghan, the nurse establishes a 24 hour care plan, taking into consideration her physical assessment, care of abdominal …show more content…
It includes information on the patient, history of medical conditions, allergies, type and extent of surgical procedure, pre-operative and intraoperative vital signs, type of anaesthetic used, time under anaesthesia, estimated blood loss, drugs and IV solutions administered, complications, location and type of catheters, position and nature of any arterial devices, drains, altered sensory or motor function, and intraoperative events that might affect post-operative course. It is crucial to receive an accurate and detailed handover of information on Mrs. Callaghan to ensure safety and high quality of her care. Incorrect or untimely provision of information may result in misdiagnosis or treatment leading to adverse effects leading to the deterioration of Mrs. Callaghan’s