Preceptorship on Orthopedics

[_meow]

I will be on an orthopedic post op unit next semester for my final practicum. Does anyone know of any good textbooks or manuals for orthopedic nursing? how should I prepare for working on this unit? what are things specific to orthopedics that I should know before starting this rotation? thanks for your help :)

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

Can't think of any particular books I've used, but read up on things like total joint protocols (Hips, knees, shoulders, ankles, etc), PAIN MEDS, antibiotics (mostly ancef, zosyn, vanco, flagyl), anticoagulants (ASA, coumadin, lovenox, heparin), incision care, different types of drains (JP, hemovac, etc), woundvacs, normal lab values (hgb/hct, WBC, PT/INR, Electrolytes), neurovascular checks, normal urine output.

you can probably find most of this info in your medsurg books and lab/drug guides. good luck, and be ready to be on your feet a lot. Constant pain management and helping people to the bathroom! Expect many patients to have a drastic B/P drop the first time they get out of bed and know what to do in that situation. Know the signs of infection. Also many patients will be very concerned about pooping. They will not poop the day after surgery and that is totally normal--anesthesia, narcotics and decreased mobility are going to slow things down in the digestive tract, but you will find yourself telling them that over and over while they demand you give them more stool softeners/laxitives.