Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition of upper airway obstruction during sleep. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and increases the perioperative risks of surgical patients. Thus, it is essential that perianesthesia nurses understand how to identify and manage patients with known or suspected OSA. This continuing education article will review the pathophysiology of OSA, discuss the effects of anesthesia and opioids on the sleep architecture of the OSA patients, describe the effects of OSA on postoperative complications, review the latest evidence on screening for undiagnosed OSA in the adult surgical patient, and review the perioperative management principles for patients with OSA.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2015
ReviewPathophysiology and Prevention of Intraoperative Atelectasis: A Review of the Literature.
Atelectasis is a common problem in the perioperative setting, affecting a significant number of surgical patients receiving general anesthesia. Absorption, compression, and reduced surfactant are the three mechanisms implicated in the etiology of atelectasis. Interventions designed to minimize the risk of intraoperative atelectasis such as positioning, positive end-expiratory pressure, and administration of the least amount of fraction of inspired oxygen can be used to maintain patency of small airways and ultimately improve gas exchange in the surgical patient.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2015
Predicting Preoperative Hemodynamic Changes Using the Visual Analog Scale.
This study aimed to investigate how both visual analog scale cutoff scores and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores relate to hemodynamic changes in patients entering the operating theater. ⋯ Using the visual analog scale to measure anxiety can improve our understanding of the hemodynamic changes that occur when patients enter the operating theater.
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Dec 2015
Examining the Relationship Among Ambulatory Surgical Settings Work Environment, Nurses' Characteristics, and Medication Errors Reporting.
To describe work environment characteristics (leadership style and safety climate) of ambulatory surgical settings and to examine the relationship between work environment and nurses' willingness to report medication errors in ambulatory surgical settings. ⋯ To increase nurses' willingness to report medication errors, ambulatory surgical settings administrators should invest in nurse manager leadership training programs and focus on enhancing safety climate aspects, particularly errors feedback and organizational learning.