II Glossary

Anesthesia: Medications used to reduce or temporarily eliminate sensory perception; commonly referred to as “negative sensation.” (Chapter 2.2)

Atelectasis: Collapse of lung tissue. (Chapter 2.3)

Cardiovascular surgery: Surgery involving the heart and blood vessels; often performed to treat heart conditions or improve blood flow. (Chapter 2.2)

Child life specialists: Members of the health care team who work with children and their families to provide education and preparation during hospitalization. (Chapter 2.3)

Conscious sedation: A state where the client remains conscious but deeply relaxed and pain-free; also known as “moderate sedation” or “twilight anesthesia.” (Chapter 2.2)

Cosmetic surgery: Surgery performed primarily to enhance or alter a person’s appearance. (Chapter 2.2)

Curative surgery: Surgery performed to remove or treat the cause of a disease, providing a cure or permanent resolution. (Chapter 2.2)

Cyanosis: Bluish skin discoloration. (Chapter 2.5)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): The formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. (Chapter 2.3)

Dehiscence: The separation of surgical wound edges, exposing underlying tissues. (Chapter 2.5)

Diagnostic surgery: Surgery performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis or to assess the extent of a disease or condition. (Chapter 2.2)

Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. (Chapter 2.5)

Embolism: A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a dislodged clot or foreign material, often in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). (Chapter 2.5)

Emergency department surgical setting: Urgent or emergency surgeries that are necessary to address critical conditions or life-threatening situations. (Chapter 2.2)

Epidural blocks: A procedure involving injection of an anesthetic agent into the epidural space; often used for vaginal, perineal, hip, and lower extremity surgeries. (Chapter 2.2)

Evisceration: The protrusion of internal organs through a dehisced surgical incision site. (Chapter 2.5)

Expected outcomes: Statements of measurable action for the client within a specific time frame that are responsive to nursing interventions. (Chapter 2.3)

Exploratory surgery: Surgery performed to visualize and inspect internal organs and structures to diagnose or assess health conditions. (Chapter 2.2)

Field blocks: A series of local anesthetic injections around the operative field. (Chapter 2.2)

General anesthesia: The use of medications to induce a state of unconsciousness and loss of sensation throughout the entire body. (Chapter 2.2)

Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood. (Chapter 2.5)

Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding at the surgical site due to blood vessel damage or clotting abnormalities. (Chapter 2.5)

Informed consent: An active, shared decision-making process between the health care provider and the recipient of care, empowering clients to participate in decisions about their treatment and surgical procedures. (Chapter 2.2)

Inpatient setting: Surgery requiring the client to be admitted to the hospital either the day before the surgery or on the same day of the procedure. (Chapter 2.2)

Intraoperative period: The time from when the client is wheeled into the operating room until they are transferred to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Same-Day Surgery Suite, or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following the surgical procedure. (Chapter 2.4)

Length of stay: A clinical metric that measures the time elapsed between a client’s admission and discharge. (Chapter 2.1)

Lithotomy position: A position used during procedures to enhance access of the pelvic organs. The  client is placed on their back with their buttocks at the edge of the table and their legs abducted 30 to 45 degrees from the midline. The patient’s knees and hips are flexed to about 90 degrees and supported with stirrups or padded leg holders. (Chapter 2.4)

Local anesthesia: Medications used to numb a specific area of the body, typically near the surgical site. (Chapter 2.2)

Minimally invasive surgeries: Surgeries where smaller incisions are made, resulting in reduced trauma, faster recovery, and improved client outcomes. (Chapter 2.1)

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC): The administration of IV sedation and pain management for clients undergoing certain procedures. The anesthesia provider continuously monitors the client’s vital signs and level of consciousness throughout the procedure. (Chapter 2.2)

Nerve blocks: The injection of a local anesthetic into or around a single nerve or a group of nerves in the involved area. (Chapter 2.2)

Neurosurgery: Surgery for the treatment of conditions affecting the nervous system, brain, and spinal cord. (Chapter 2.2)

Obstetric/gynecological surgery: Surgical procedures related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the female reproductive organs. (Chapter 2.2)

Orthopedic surgery: Surgery related to the musculoskeletal system, dealing with bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. (Chapter 2.2)

Outpatient/ambulatory surgery: Surgery requiring the client to go to the surgical area on the day of the surgery and return home the same day; also known as “same-day surgery.” (Chapter 2.2)

Outpatient clinic surgical setting: Surgery performed in health care facilities where clients receive medical care or procedures without requiring hospitalization. (Chapter 2.2)

Palliative surgery: Surgery performed to alleviate symptoms, reduce pain, or improve the client’s comfort without curing the disease. (Chapter 2.2)

Paralytic ileus: Temporary paralysis of the intestines, leading to the absence of bowel sounds and inability to pass flatus or stool. (Chapter 2.5)

Perioperative care: A client’s surgical experience. (Chapter 2.1)

Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs. (Chapter 2.5)

Postoperative period: The phase of client care that occurs after a surgical procedure. (Chapter 2.5)

Preoperative period: The phase of client care that occurs before a surgical procedure. (Chapter 2.3)

Psychosis: A mental health disorder characterized by inappropriate affect and impaired thinking and perception that can be caused by surgery and/or anesthesia. (Chapter 2.5)

Reconstructive/restorative surgery: Surgery performed to restore form and function after injury, disease, or previous surgical procedures. (Chapter 2.2)

Regional anesthesia: Medications used to numb a large area of the body, such as an entire limb or a section of the body, by blocking the nerve signals in that region. (Chapter 2.2)

Spinal blocks: Anesthetic medications injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid space, providing anesthesia for lower abdominal surgeries, pelvic procedures, hip, and knee surgeries. (Chapter 2.2)

Surgical time out: A purposeful pause before the procedure begins in which the surgical team confirms the procedure to be performed, the site, and client identity. (Chapter 2.4)

Tachycardia: A heart rate over 100 beats per minute. (Chapter 2.5)

Transplantation surgery: Surgery that involves the replacement of a failed organ or tissue with a healthy organ or tissue from a donor. (Chapter 2.2)

Urinary retention: The inability to empty the bladder after surgery, leading to bladder distention. (Chapter 2.5)

Urological surgery: Surgery related to the urinary system and male reproductive organs. (Chapter 2.2)

World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist: A tool designed to improve client safety throughout the perioperative period. It serves as a standardized framework that helps health care teams ensure critical safety measures are consistently implemented before, during, and after surgery. (Chapter 2.2)