Question

. What is the difference between a minor surgery and a major surgery? Give at least 5 examples of each. What is the importance of medical clearance in an individual before submitting the patient to a major surgery?  As a registered nurse how are you going to prepare the patient physically and emotionally before surgery?  A patient was admitted to Unit 4 less than 24 hours who is status post abdominal surgery. Give at least three possible complications post-operatively as a result of poor nursing care. As a nurse how would you be able to perform an adequate care in order to prevent this complications?

Answer 1

Ans) Minor surgery. : surgery involving little risk to the life of the patient specifically : an operation on the superficial structures of the body or a manipulative procedure that does not involve a serious risk — compare major surgery.

Major surgery is any invasive operative procedure in which a more extensive resection is performed, e.g. a body cavity is entered, organs are removed, or normal anatomy is altered. In general, if a mesenchymal barrier is opened (pleural cavity, peritoneum, meninges), the surgery is considered major.

Examples of Minor surgery: Arthroscopy, Breast Biopsy, Burn Excision/Debridement, Cataract Surgery, Caesarean Section, Circumcision.

Examples of major surgery include organ transplant, removal of a brain tumour, removal of a damaged kidney or open-heart surgery.

Medical clearance before surgery & it's Importance:

- Medical clearance refers to the medical evaluation of patients in the emergency department (ED) (or similar setting) whose symptoms appear to be psychiatric in origin.

- A medical illness is known to be present but is not thought to be the primary cause of the patient's symptoms.

- A history and physical to provide medical clearance for surgery and anesthesia may be done by the patient's primary care provider or it may be done by the surgeon, depending on the patient's state of health and insurance reimbursement guidelines.

Preparations for surgery depend on your diagnosis. Your physician will discuss with you how to prepare for your surgery. However, if you will undergo general anesthesia, you may be asked to do the following:

• Stop drinking and eating for a certain period of time before the time of surgery
• Bathe or clean, and possibly shave the area to be operated on
• Undergo various blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, or other procedures necessary for surgery
• Sometimes a patient may be asked to take an enema the evening before surgery, to empty the bowels. Please check with your physician.
• Do not wear makeup the day of surgery
• Do not wear nail polish
• Do not wear your eye contacts
• Leave valuables and jewelry at home
• Advise the medical staff of dentures or other prosthetic devices you may be wearing
Often, to make their experience more comfortable and efficient, patients are advised to bring the following:

• Loose-fitting clothes to wear
• Social Security card number
• Insurance information
• Medicare or Medicaid card