Post-op Care:

Implementing Nursing Care to Promote Recovery

What is Post-op Care?

Post-op care is the care a patient receives after
a surgical procedure. It begins immediately
after surgery, continues throughout the
patient's stay in the hospital until discharge,
and may continue after discharge.

The Goal For Post-op Care

The goal of post-op care is to:
Promote Healing
Facilitate quicker recovery for earlier
discharge
Prevent post-op complications
Post-op complications may include, but are not
limited to, the following:

Airway Obstruction
Atelectasis
Pneumonia
PE
Hemorrhage-Internal or External
Thrombophlebitis-DVT
Infection
Pain
Muscle Atrophy
Hypothermia
Hypotension and Hypertension
Residual narcosis
Restlessness

"Nursing care during the postoperative period

focuses on returning the patient to a
relatively functional level of wellness as soon
as possible." - PP pg 1276
After surgery, patients are transferred to the
PACU, or recovery room. During this time, their
care is often complex. The type of surgery,
anesthesia, and patient's previous condition all
play a role in the recovery process. Once the
patient is stable they will be discharged to an
acute care/med-surge unit.

Nursing Care During the Post-op Period

Care that is to be provided by the nurse during
the postoperative period includes:

Assessing VS and LOC

Assessing ABCs
Surgical wound assessment
Pain Management
Intake and Output (know EBL)
Fluid Management
Nutrition/Diet
Post-operative medications
Assessing Labs
DVT prophylaxis
Position and safety
Post-operative exercises/teaching

How To Receive A Post-op Patient

1. The PACU RN will call the receiving unit/RN
with report on the post-op patient.
2. The post-op patient will have orders for
post-op care based on the procedure, facilities
policies, and providing surgeon/doctor.

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Colleen Ryan, Kristen Glavin, and Kasey
Gates]

Post-op Care:
Implementing Nursing Care to Promote Recovery
3. When the patient arrives on the unit, the
PACU RN and receiving RN will perform handoff.
- pt identification, review of VS, type of
surgery, anesthesia, blood loss, LOC, current
condition, IV lines, drains, dressings, casts.
4. The PACU RN will review the surgeons
orders, recovery room record, the patients
condition, and the course of care as well.
5. The Receiving RN MUST assess the patient's
VS with the PACU RN. The VS are compared
with the last set taken in the PACU.

-TCDB-coughing and deep breathing work together

to clear mucus from the airways allowing better
oxygenation. If the patient experiences pain with
TCDB exercises, you can implement splinting to
support the patients incision and decrease
discomfort. This should be performed 3-5 times
every hour while awake.

* Treat the post-op patient for pain prior to

post-op exercises. This will provide comfort and
facilitate participation.

6. The PACU RN can leave after all of this is

completed.
7. The receiving RN will continue to monitor the
patient's VS, LOC, I&O, surgical wounds,
dressings, pain, labs, administer meds, and
encourage post-op exercises until discharge.
- VS should generally be taken every 15 minutes
twice, every 30 minutes twice, hourly for 2
hours, and then every 4 hours or per MD orders
in the initial post-op period. (PP pg 1276)

Post-op Exercises/Teaching
Teaching post-operative exercises promotes
recovery and prevents complications related to
surgery. These include:

Incentive spirometer (IS)

TCDB

Splinting

Ambulation

ROM
- Ambulation- promote early ambulation as soon as
possible. It promotes recovery, peristalsis, venous
return, and mobilization of secretions. If the
patient is unable to ambulate, implement ROM
exercises, heel pumps, SCDs, TEDs, and frequent
turning and positioning.
- IS- prevents alveolar collapse and facilitates
removal of secretions. The IS should be used 10
times every hour while awake.

What Has Research Shown?

EBP has shown that A combined effort in

preoperative optimization and information,
stress-reduced surgery, efficient postoperative
pain treatment, adjustment of perioperative
care principles to existing evidence, and nursing
care focusing on early mobilization and oral
nutrition enhance recovery, decrease morbidity,
and shorten hospital stays.

Conclusion
Assessment, observational, and teaching skills
are essential in postoperative care. Nurses
support patients recovering from surgery and
are often the first ones to detect complications.
Thorough postoperative care promotes healing
to enable patients to return to the highest
possible functional level restoring overall
health.
For more information on post-op care, refer to:
Perry and Potter pg 1274-1292
Simple Nursing: YouTube
- Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=sdnM5ZuPfl0- Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FVH80V0sExY&spfreload=10

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Colleen Ryan, Kristen Glavin, and Kasey
Gates]

Post-op Care:
Implementing Nursing Care to Promote Recovery

[Senior CCC RN students: Katie Baumes, Colleen Ryan, Kristen Glavin, and Kasey
Gates]