ABSTRACT
Chapter overview 242 Background 243 Pre-operative care 243 Pre-operative checks 245
Peri-operative care 247 Postoperative care 251 References 256 Further reading 257
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to accomplish the following: 1 Define the terms, pre-operative, peri-operative and
postoperative care 2 Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of a
child undergoing surgery 3 Discuss the nurse’s responsibility in ensuring the
safe transfer of a child from the ward to the operating department
4 Describe the nurse’s role in caring for child in the peri-operative environment, including the care provided in the post-anaesthetic care unit
5 Discuss the postoperative nursing care of a child who has undergone a surgical procedure
6 Outline the complications which may develop in the postoperative phase of care, either as a result of anaesthesia or surgery
Approximately 450 000 children aged 0-16 years undergo a surgical procedure in England each year. The type and acuity of surgery is patient and centre dependent; it is essential that all children’s nurses have an awareness of the essential nursing care that a child and his/her family will require while the child is in hospital.
