Teaching Plan for a Patient Recovering from Surgery
Immediately after surgery, the patient requires care to prevent the development of complications. Care provided after an operation is known as postoperative care. It encompasses wound dressing and pain management. It is essential to prepare adequately before the surgery, enquire from the surgeon on all necessities.
After the surgery, outpatients are released on the same day if they don’t develop complications. A patient should make sure they collect medication from the doctor before discharge. Ask someone to drive you home and take rest. Do not engage in significant decisions or vigorous physical exercises.
Take rest on the second day; do not take solid foods. Only take liquids such as apple juice. Dress your wound regularly and check out for foul smell, bleeding, and warmth. If you have uncontrolled pain, excess vomiting or diarrhea, temperature above 110 degrees, and bleeding incision, call a doctor. Make sure you take the medication as prescribed. Engage in physical exercises to prevent muscle weakness and blood clots. If you can’t do it on your own, ask a friend or family member to help you.
The care given to inpatients differs a little bit from that of outpatients. Health providers discharge outpatients on the same day, and inpatients stay in the hospital for several days or weeks. After surgery, the nurses transfer inpatients to the recovery room. While they recover from anesthesia, they may feel tired and nauseous.
Patients are required to sleep well after surgery. Patients shouldn’t come visiting the first day. The nurse will check on you regularly for 24 hours. After that, the nurse will transfer you to a hospital room. You will probably have a device on the finger to measure the blood’s oxygen level, a heartbeat monitor, and a breathing apparatus. You will also have a dressing on the wound.
A nurse may advise you to cough to prevent respiratory infections and also walk around to avoid clots. You will also get pain relievers to reduce the pain. The nurses will dress your wounds for several times before they discharge you. After discharge, you will require someone to take care of you. If you don’t have someone, a doctor can recommend a professional caregiver to take care of you. Postoperative care differs depending on the surgery, either major or minor and health history. Caregivers should provide efficient services to avoid complications. As the wound heals, you can gradually go back to the usual routine.
References
Jacobs, Velma. “Informational needs of surgical patients following discharge.” Applied Nursing Research 13.1 (2000): 12-18.
Sherwood, Gwen D., et al. “Changing acute pain management outcomes in surgical patients.” AORN journal 77.2 (2003): 374-395.
