Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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Compartment syndrome is classically considered a complication of a musculoskeletal injury. Recent research has confirmed the abdomen as a potential compartment with the capability to cause life-threatening local and systemic manifestations. Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is precipitated by an acute increase in abdominal contents volume with resulting intraabdominal hypertension. ⋯ Patients at risk for ACS include trauma (blunt or open), retroperitoneal hemorrhage, massive fluid resuscitation, pancreatitis, pneumoperitoneum, and neoplasm. Surgical decompression is the treatment of choice. The perianesthesia nurse plays a critical role in the team managing a patient at risk for abdominal compartment syndrome through intraabdominal pressure monitoring, wound care, and end organ perfusion support.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2002
ReviewAllergic reactions to drugs: implications for perioperative care.
Clinically, one must be able to differentiate between an allergic reaction and an adverse reaction. Clinical manifestations of allergic reactions range from urticaria and rash to bronchoconstriction, laryngeal edema, hematologic disorders, and other serious reactions. Many drugs administered in the perioperative setting can cause allergic reactions. ⋯ Although true allergic reactions to opioids are rare, naturally occurring compounds like morphine and codeine can cause allergic reactions. After stopping the offending drug, mild allergic reactions can be managed with diphenhydramine, with or without a steroid. Significant allergic reactions require more aggressive management with oxygen, intravenous fluids, epinephrine, and histamine blockers.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2002
ReviewA systematic approach to the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), a common complication after anesthesia and surgery, often results in delayed discharge with the patient's unpleasant symptoms continuing at home. To effectively prevent and treat PONV, it is important to understand the factors implicated in PONV, the mechanisms of PONV, the pharmacology of the antiemetic agents, and the nonpharmacologic measures that have been shown to be effective. The cause of PONV is likely to be multifactorial, with important predictors being female gender, history of PONV, and history of motion sickness. ⋯ Transdermal scopolamine and dexamethasone have a role in the prevention of PONV, particularly for certain high-risk patients. Nonpharmacologic measures and alternative treatments such as hydration, maintaining blood pressure, acupressure techniques, trancutaneous acupoint stimulation, and isopropyl alcohol must not be overlooked. Finally, an evidence-based algorithm for the prevention and treatment of PONV in adults is presented.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2002
ReviewTension pneumothorax: a pulmonary complication secondary to regional anesthesia from brachial plexus interscalene nerve block.
Interscalene brachial plexus anesthesia is often used for surgeries involving the shoulder and upper arm. This method of regional anesthesia decreases pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with general anesthesia. ⋯ Recognition of early signs and symptoms of tension pneumothorax and expeditious treatment for rapid decompression before physiologic decompensation is mandatory. This article discusses the interscalene brachial plexus block procedure leading to the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of tension pneumothorax.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2002
ReviewAcute postoperative delirium: definitions, incidence, recognition, and interventions.
Emergence excitement or delirium is a common postanesthesia complication. Often, the emergence excitement resolves quickly, and the patient's continued recovery is uneventful. Although the initial period of excitement may be short lived and resolve without long-term sequela, some patients may experience acute postoperative delirium, a phenomenon that is more difficult to assess and of potentially longer duration. ⋯ Patients at risk present in ambulatory surgery centers and inpatient perianesthesia settings daily. Identification of at-risk patients is crucial to avoiding the development of delirium in the acute postanesthesia care setting. The purpose of this selective review is to define acute postoperative delirium and its incidence, discuss assessment and recognition, describe interventions, and identify future considerations related to this phenomenon.