nursing process - assesment of a post-op patient

[pinkbabe28]

Hi, i am a student nurse after some advice. I am writting an assignment on a patient with a trimollar fracture of melliolus. I was hoping that someone will be able to tell me the step by step guide to the inital assessment of the patient post op being transfered to the ward from recovery. I then inturn have to give the rational for doing this assessment, followed by focusing on pain and mobility of the patient using a problem solving approach including emotional and physical aspects of care. I am greatful for any response or guidance on this. Thankyou

[Cupcake89121]

Here's what I would do...

1. Find Med Surg book

2. Open it

3. Look up sections on Perioperative Care & Musculoskeletal Disorders

4. Read them

Voila!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

what she said. (assuming cupcake is a female )

as a hint, op, your faculty will be giving you a lot of assignments like this, in part because when you are graduated and out of school, you will constantly be encountering new patient diagnoses and care needs, and you will need practice in looking things up before you go back to work the next shift. this is one of those unstated goals of any nursing education-- to prepare you for a lifetime of learning. and "go to an and ask somebody there" is not fulfilling that objective.

we are always happy to help a student who brings something to the table. what have you learned so far? what do you know about a trimalleolar fracture (other than how not to spell it-- fixing that will make it easier to look it up ). do you know where to look for basic assessment criteria for a postop patient with this or related surgery?

cupcake has put you on the right path. now let us know what you find there and we can help more.