Progressive Ambulation
Progressive Ambulation After surgery or a period of bed rest, patients must begin the gradual return to full ambulation. When it’s begun promptly and properly, progressive ambulation thwarts many of…
Pressure Ulcer Care
Pressure Ulcer Care As the name implies, pressure ulcers result when pressure—applied with great force for a short period or with less force over a long period—impairs circulation, depriving tissues…
Preoperative Skin Preparation
Preoperative Skin Preparation Proper preparation of the patient’s skin for surgery renders it as free as possible from microorganisms, which reduces the risk of infection at the incision site.1 This…
Pressure Dressing Application
Pressure Dressing Application For effective control of capillary or small-vein bleeding, temporary application of pressure directly over a wound may be achieved with a bulk dressing held by a glove-protected…
Preoperative Care
Preoperative Care Preoperative care begins when surgery is planned and ends with the administration of anesthesia. This phase of care includes a preoperative interview and assessment to collect baseline subjective…
Postoperative Care
Postoperative Care Postoperative care begins when the patient arrives on the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and continues as he moves to the short procedure unit, medical-surgical unit, or critical care…
Postmortem Care
Postmortem Care After a patient dies, care includes preparing him for family viewing, arranging transportation to the morgue or funeral home, and determining the disposition of the patient’s belongings. In…
Pneumatic Antishock Garment Application
Pneumatic Antishock Garment Application A pneumatic antishock garment (PASG), also known as medical antishock trousers or a MAST suit, consists of inflatable bladders sandwiched between double layers of fabric. When…
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment Isolation procedures may be implemented to prevent the spread of infection from patient to patient, from patients to health care workers, or from health care workers to…
Permanent Pacemaker Care
Permanent Pacemaker Care Designed to operate for 3 to 20 years, a permanent pacemaker is a self-contained device that the surgeon implants in a pocket beneath the patient’s skin. This…
