Nursing Assistant's Role in Surgical and Postoperative Patient Care

TAE Functions in the Surgical Area

• Cleaning of instruments, equipment, and surfaces according to protocol.
• Sending instruments to central sterilization (clean, dry, and in proper containers).
• Receiving instruments and textile equipment from central sterilization, verifying and controlling sealed sterilization containers (color indicator).
• Picking up disposables and discarding them in special containers.
• Replacing materials.
• Receiving the patient in the pre-operative area, identifying them, and reviewing their clinical history.
• Checking patient's hygiene and shaved areas.
• Providing psychological support.
• Transferring the patient to the recovery unit upon awakening and collaborating with the medical team.

Postoperative Patient Care

Postoperative care begins when the patient is brought to the recovery unit, focusing on preventing pain and complications upon awakening.

Immediate Postoperative Care in the Resuscitation Unit

• Patient care in the resuscitation unit upon awakening.
• Preparing the surgical bed to receive the patient: covering with blankets and protecting with guardrails.
• Careful management of medical systems and surgical wounds.
• Taking vital signs, measuring physiological functions, and monitoring fluid balance.
• Positioning the patient laterally or with the head tilted.

Continuing Postoperative Care (Ward to Discharge)

This phase begins when the patient is transferred to the ward and ends with hospital discharge or outpatient discharge. Basic care considerations include:

• Postural changes to prevent pressure ulcers.
• Avoiding wetting dressings when bathing the patient.
• Monitoring vital signs.
• Stimulating coughing and breathing exercises to encourage ambulation as soon as possible.
• Observing and verifying that dressings are clean, dry, and secure.
• Considering drains, wound care, and the dressing trolley.

Surgical Wound Care

Surgical wounds are typically clean wounds made with a scalpel under aseptic conditions. In contrast, contaminated wounds include those from dog bites, firearms, etc.

Objectives of Wound Care

• Prevent bleeding.
• Remove foreign bodies.
• Encourage healing.
• Promote drainage of secretions.
• Prevent infection.

General Wound Care Methods

• OPEN: No dressings are used; this method only involves cleaning and sterilization of the wound, allowing it to air dry.
• CLOSED: This involves aseptically cleaning the wound and covering it with a secure bandage.

TAE Functions in Wound Care

• Opening sterile packages without touching the inner contents and handing them to the nurse.
• Opening bottles of antiseptics, ointments, or liquid medications.
• Soaking gauze or sterile swabs.
• Opening and closing waste containers or bags.
• Providing psychological support to the patient.
• Assisting with patient observation.
• Collecting and disposing of materials as appropriate.