Nursing Intervention for Preoperative Care
- Assess for level of anxiety, verbal expression of fear adn reasons for it. Anxiety ranges from mild to severe; a moderate level of anxiety is desirable and helpful in coping with impending surgery.
- Assess for non-verbal expressions of anxiety and fear such as shaking, restlessness, pallor, tense body and facial muscles, irritability, heart palpitations, and dilated pupils. May not be able to communicate feelings but reveal physical responses.
- Assess for perceptions of anticipated surgery as to outcome, effect on life-style, coping skills and if effective. Allows for clarification of information adn ability to cope with crisis event.
- Assess for support systems available. Important aspect of caring and promotes sense of well being; assist to develop coping skills.
- Assess for responses to information and treatments. These may increase or decrease anxiety.
- Administer sedative, tranquilizer (secobarbital). Promotes rest and sleep the night before surgery.
- Provide calm attitude of acceptance, positive response to behavior without expressing disappointment or anger. Provides emotional support and enhances nurse-patient relationship; allows patient control of environment.
- Provide environment that prevents anxiety-provoking situations. Decreases anxiety by avoiding additional stimuli.
- Provide orientation to the hospital room, equipment, use of call light for assistance, procedures, policies, and routines. Provides familiarity with environment and use of any equipment.
- Introduce to staff, visit from operating room personnel, visit to operating room and recovery room if appropriate. Helps become acquainted with people in the environment.
- Provide assurance that pain medication will be given following surgery, steps and treatments will be provided to prevent complications or prolonged recovery. Allays anxiety about pain adn potential changes in health status and self concept.
- Teach about relaxation techniques. It reduces anxiety.
- Provides additional information or reinforcement of information given by physician regarding the procedure, effects, projected course of convalescence. This clarifies misconceptions.
- Teach the importance of informed consent. A legal requirement prior to surgery.
- Teach the patient the reasons for treatments such as enema, NPO, N/G tube, IV, lab tests, catheter, medications, and skin preparation. This allows for better acceptance of necessary but unpleasant treatments and procedures.