26.5: Key Terms

ambulatory surgical center (ASC)

facility designed for outpatient procedures that do not require the patient to be monitored overnight

anesthesia awareness

(also: intraoperative awareness) rare but potentially distressing phenomenon where a patient becomes partially or fully aware of their surroundings during surgery despite being under general anesthesia

anesthesiologist

highly trained medical professional responsible for administering anesthesia, monitoring the patient’s vital signs, airway, and managing the patient’s pain during surgery

elective surgery

non-emergent, planned procedure that is scheduled in advance based on the patient’s preference, surgical procedure, location of procedure, and surgeon’s availability

emergency surgery

immediate, unplanned procedure performed to save a patient’s life or prevent severe disability

epidural anesthesia

injection of local anesthetic agents into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord, providing a controlled and prolonged analgesic effect

general anesthesia

involves a combination of intravenous medications and inhaled anesthetics

hypothermia

body temperature below the normal range

hypoxia

inadequate oxygen levels in the body’s tissues

inpatient hospital operating room

most common surgical setting for patients

intraoperative phase

begins when the patient is transferred to the operating room bed and ends when the patient is transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)

moderate sedation

controlled state of reduced consciousness that allows patients to undergo medical procedures while remaining responsive and able to maintain their own airways; also known as conscious sedation

monitored anesthesia care (MAC)

specialized approach to anesthesia that combines elements of local anesthesia and sedation to provide a controlled and comfortable experience for patients undergoing certain procedures

multimodal anesthesia

combines various techniques and medications to achieve a balanced and comprehensive analgesic effect

peripheral nerve block

specialized form of regional anesthesia that involves the precise injection of local anesthetic agents near specific nerves to block sensation in a targeted region of the body

regional anesthesia

blocks sensation to a localized area, allowing patients to undergo various surgical procedures without the need for general anesthesia

registered nurse first assist (RNFA)

controls bleeding during surgery, sutures incisions and wounds, and assists in stabilizing patients when necessary

RN circulator

responsible for coordinating and managing various aspects of the operating room before, during, and after surgery; also known as a circulating nurse

scrub nurse

tasked with maintaining the sterility of the surgical environment

spinal anesthesia

well-established and widely utilized form of regional anesthesia, involves the injection of local anesthetic agents (e.g., bupivacaine, lidocaine) into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord

sterile technique

extends to the creation of a sterile field around the surgical site, ensuring that only sterile items come into contact with the patient and the surgical wound

surgeon

medical doctor with extensive training in performing surgical procedures

surgical asepsis

involves a set of practices designed to maintain a sterile field and prevent the introduction of microorganisms into the surgical environment

surgical environment

controlled and sterile setting in which surgical procedures are performed, including the operating room, associated equipment, and related practices and protocols designed to maintain asepsis

time-out

critical moment in the perioperative process designed to enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of errors

urgent surgery

necessary procedure that must be performed promptly, usually within twenty-four to forty-eight hours