Medical Questions - This requires THREE FULL PARAGRAPHS with 300 WORDS EACH. ***
ID: 122059 • Letter: M
Question
Medical Questions - This requires THREE FULL PARAGRAPHS with 300 WORDS EACH.
***The research topic is regarding the role of a Surgical First Assistant with 1) assisting with pneumatic tourniquets for patients, and 2) assisting in orthopedic surgery.***
FYI - A surgical first assistant is an integral part of the surgical team. The team works together in the operating room to ensure the patient receives quality care during a surgical procedure. A surgical first assistant works closely with the surgeon to facilitate the procedure and process of surgery.
Instructions:
Investigate the concepts pertinent to comprehensive knowledge of the Surgical First Assistant role within departmental teams and while expanding the peri operative sphere.
Be sure to include proper references for citations and further reflection.
Explanation / Answer
1) Pneumatic tourniquets are medical devices that help in obstructing the flow of blood to the remote areas of the body. It is most common during the surgery of upper limb in order to give a clear and dry field without blood (Liu, Guo, Zhang, Li & Wang, 2013). Extremity trauma with arterial blood loss is very common nowdays and hence the application of pneumatic tourniquets becomes very important. But its use is not free of complications. There are cases of pneumatic tourniquet linked injuries and the cause is pressure. Skills are required to operate it under minimal inflation pressue by proper placement of the cuff with required pressure. In addition to these collaboration with patients, families, and members of the surgical team in hospitals, day-surgery units, clinics, and physicians’ offices are important.They should focus on planning, implementing, and evaluating care of the surgical patient (Hoffman, 2008).
2) An orthopaedic nurse should be trained in orthopaedic problems such as fractures, neurovascular status monitoring, traction, casting and continuous motion therapy. In USA there are more than 350,000 hip fractures occuring every year (cited in Watters, 2006). Apart from technical skills, also required are skills related to interventions, attitudes, communication and continuity of care. Technical advances in the field of orthopaedics like Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging have led to an improved diagnosis and evaluation of orthopaedic problems.Latest and innovative treatment options like Vertebroplasty, Bupivacaine Infiltration, Total Disc Replacement Arthroplasty, Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty, The Titanium Rib, Toe-to-Hand Transplantation Surgery, The Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR), Mechanical Devices for Lateral Transfers and Kyphoplasty. Hence, orthopaedic nurse should have the essential training and skills in the areas of diagnostics as well as treatment (American Society of Registered Nurses,2008).
References
1. American Society of Registered Nurses. (2008). Essentials Of Orthopaedic Nurse Care. The journal of nursing. Retrieved from https://www.asrn.org/journal-nursing/314-essentials-of-orthopaedic-nurse-care.html
2. Hoffman,E.(2008). Perioperative nurses: Keeping surgical patients safe. AmericanNurse Today. 3(8).
3. Liu, H., Guo, J., Zhang, Z., Li, K., & Wang, W. (2013). Development of adaptive pneumatic tourniquet systems based on minimal inflation pressure for upper limb surgeries. BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 12, 92. http://doi.org/10.1186/1475-925X-12-92