Help with nursing interventions for post op wounds

[amylynn00]

Hello, I just joined all nurses and figured Id put it to good use. I am a first year student and my teacher is having us do little presentations on different topics. I get to do nursing interventions/preventions for post operative wounds/wound complications. If anyone has any good ideas please share! Thanks

[Shandigidy]

topics maybe to consider, promoting healing, nutrition, preventing infection, signs and symptoms of infection, inflammation, dressing changes, site inspection, pain management, tissue healing process, proper position for particular situations, family teaching

These are things I would consider researching and talking about if I had that assignment

[MicahSmithRN]

this is right up my alley.

1) Assess sight for drainage, amount of drainage, and characteristics of drainage.

2) Assess surrounding skin for warmth, swelling, hardness

3) Ensure suture/staples are clean, dry intact

4) Change all dressing per M.D. orders and PRN to ensure they are clean, dry, intact

5) Monitor for s/s of pain

6) Ensure the patient has good caloric intake (body needs more calories and protein)

7) Monitor for edema distal to sight (possible clotting problems)

8) Monitor labs especially if they are getting Low MoL weight heparin like Lovenox to prevent clots.

9) Encourage patient to clean the site well with soap et water during showers (yes this is ok, and no most regular dicks and janes don't know this!)

10) If patient is discharging soon, teach s/s of infection, the importance of keeping follow up appointment especially for suture/staple removal (generally 2 weeks.).

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

What about what to do in the event of evisceration?

[MicahSmithRN]

If opens, sterile pressure never take off the old saturated bandages, medical emergency.