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- Managing pain
- Respiratory tract infection
- Patient education
- Discharge instructions
- Postoperative Care
- Ensure that preparations are made to receive child:
- Bed or crib is ready.
- Intravenous (IV) pumps and poles, suction apparatus, and oxygen flow meter are at bedside.
- Obtain baseline information:
- Take vital signs, including blood pressure; keep blood pressure cuff in place and deflated to lessen disturbance to child.
- Take and record vital signs more frequently if any value fluctuates.
- Inspect operative area.
- Check dressing if present.
- Outline any bleeding area on dressing or cast with pen.
- Reinforce, but do not remove, loose dressing.
- Observe areas below surgical site for blood that may have drained toward bed.
- Assess for bleeding and other symptoms in areas not covered with a dressing, such as throat after tonsillectomy.
- Assess skin color and characteristics.
- Assess level of consciousness and activity.
- Notify primary care provider of any irregularities in child’s condition.
- Assess for evidence of pain.
- Review surgeon’s orders after completing initial assessment, and check that preoperative orders, such as seizure or cardiac medications, have been reordered and can be given by available routes (oral preparations may be contraindicated).
- Monitor vital signs as ordered and more often if indicated.
- Check dressings for bleeding or other abnormalities.
- Check bowel sounds.
- Observe for signs of shock, abdominal distention, and bleeding.
- Assess for bladder distention.
- Observe for signs of dehydration.
- Detect presence of infection:
- Take vital signs every 2 to 4 hours as ordered.
- Collect or request needed specimens.
- Inspect wound for signs of infection: redness, swelling, heat, pain, and purulent drainage.
- Ensure that preparations are made to receive child:
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