03/09/2026
🩺👨⚕️"Knowledge isn’t meant to be stored. It’s meant to be understood, lived, and learnt."👩⚕️
GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE CARE (POST-OP NURSING CARE)
AIMS
To maintain the airway, breathing and circulation.
To alleviate pain on the incision site.To promote quick recovery.
To maintain hydration and good nutrition.
To prevent post operative wound infection.
PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE PATIENT FROM THEATRE
I will prepare a post operative bed on the ward to promote comfort of the patient after surgery.
I will dump dust the environment to remove any dust and to prevent post operative infections.
I will put all resuscitative equipment in the environment such as an oxygen cylinder for resuscitation should an emergency occur.
I will make sure that the emergency trolley is up to date in case of an emergency it can be used.
I will also make sure that there’s enough light in the environment for clear observations.
After preparing the environment, then I will receive handover from the theatre team.
IMMEDIATE POST OP CARE
I will observe for the breathing pattern and if not stable administer oxygen therapy.
I will also make sure that the patient is fully conscious before taking him/her on the ward.
I will note that all the vital signs are stabilized during a handover.
ENVIRONMENT
I will nurse the patient in acute bay for close monitoring.
I will nurse the patient in a warm environment to prevent hypothermia.
I will ensure that there is enough light in the environment for clear observations.
I will maintain a free from noise environment to promote rest.
I will nurse the patient in a railed bed to prevent falls.
I will continue dump dusting the ward to prevent post operative wound infection.
POSITION
I will place the patient on her side (lateral position) to reduce the risk of inhalation of vomitus or mucus.
I will change the position of the patient every 2 hourly to prevent formation of pressure sores.
I will position the drainage tubing appropriately to prevent blockage.
As the condition improves, I will allow the patient to adopt any position of comfort as long as it does not cause danger to the incision site and drainage tubes to promote comfort.
OBSERVATIONS
I will observe the vital signs as follows;
In the first one hour post operative, every after 15 minutes.
In the second one hour post operative, every after 30 minutes.
In the third hour post operatively, every hourly until the condition stabilizes then every 2-4 hourly.
I will monitor for any signs of infection on the site of incision such as pus formation and report to the surgeon.
I will observe for the drainage tubes for correct placement to prevent blockage of the tubes which can bring about post operative complications.
I will monitor for the fluid intake and output to prevent edema and kidney damage.
I will monitor for cyanosis and administer oxygen therapy if present.
I will observe for pain using a pain chart or observe facial grimaces and give appropriate analgesics to combat pain.
I will observe the incision site for any bleeding, arrest the hemorrhage and report to the surgeon immediately for further interventions.
WOUND CARE
The first wound dressing will be removed by the surgeon.
I will clean the wound everyday using aseptic techniques to promote healing.
I will monitor for the correct placement of the drainage tubing to prevent delayed wound healing.
I will dress the wound with sterile gauze after cleaning to promote healing.
I will educate the patient not to be touching on the wound to prevent post operative infections.
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PAIN RELIEF
I will promote the noise free environment to promote rest thereby relieving pain
I will admit appropriate analgesic to relieve pain
I will monitor the level of pain for quick interventions
I will encourage the patient to be telling me whenever pain is felt for quick pain relieving interventions
EXERCISE
I will encourage the patient to be doing breathing exercises to promote lung expansion.
I will do mild limb exercises to prevent muscle atrophy.
I will encourage the patient to cough in order to remove any clogged blood and promote drainage of any accumulated blood in the drainage tubes.
I will instruct the patient to hold on the incision site when coughing to avoid wound gaping or dehiscence.
NUTRITION
I will keep the patient nil per oral until the return of the bowel sounds to prevent constipation.
I will give dextrose 10% via intravenously to provide energy needed for the metabolic processes.
I will give ringers lactate to maintain hydration.
After return of bowel sound, I will give small frequent meals, easily digested to maintain good nutrition.
I will provide a diet rich in proteins to promote wound healing.
I will encourage the patient to be eating fruits to boost the immune system.
HYGIENE
I will assist the patient in doing oral care to promote oral hygiene
I will assist the patient in changing the clothes to promote good personal hygiene
I will do nail care to the patient to promote good hygiene
I will do hair care to the patient to promote hair hygiene
I will encourage the patient to take a bath to promote good personal hygiene
I will assist or tell the relatives to be washing the patients clothes to promote good personal hygiene
PSYCHOLOGY CARE
I will create a therapeutic relationship with the patient so that the patient can have confidence in me.
I will explain the importance of the drainage tubes thus to remove any accumulated blood after surgery to allay anxiety.
I will allow the patient to verbalize his/her fears to allay anxiety.
I will answer all the questions and refer to the surgeon those I can not to allay anxiety.
I will explain every procedure and machines that are being used to the patient to promote cooperation.
I will offer diversion therapy such as listening to music to promote comfort.
REST
I will ensure that the drainage tubes are placed correctly to avoid disturbing the patient and hence promote rest.
I will nurse the patient in a quiet room to promote rest.
I will play the radio for diversion therapy at a low volume to promote rest.
I will answer all ward calls promptly to prevent disturbing the patient there by promoting rest.
I will do related procedures in blocks to promote rest.
I will administer prescribed analgesics in order to arrest pain and promote rest.
INTAKE AND OUTPUT
I will keep the patient nil per oral until the return of the bowel sounds to prevent constipation.
I will give fluids to prevent constipation.
I will monitor for the fluid intake and output to prevent overloading the patient with fluids.
I will monitor for food intake and bowel movement to prevent constipation.
MEDICATION
I will give prescribed antibiotics like metronidazole for prophylaxis.
I will give analgesics such as pethidine for pain management.
I will administer intravenous fluids to maintain hydration.
I will monitor for the side effects of drugs and take appropriate interventions.
I will administer oxygen therapy to promote good tissue perfusion.
I will also give blood transfusion if the hemoglobin level is low prevent to prevent complications such as shock.
INFORMATION EDUCATION COMMUNICATION (IEC) ON DISCHARGE
I will educate the patient not to lift heavy things/objects to prevent dehiscence.
I will educate the patient to clean the wound with boiled warm water to prevent infections and promote healing.
I will advise the patient to adhere to the medication given to promote recovery.
I will encourage the patient to observe the review dates to monitor the healing process.
I will encourage the patient to eat a balanced diet but more rich in proteins to promote tissue regeneration
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THE END
IS POWER
ASANTE SANA⚕️⚕️⚕️⚕️⚕️
TOPIC GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE CARE (POST-OP NURSING CARE)
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