Perioperative Care and Wound Management Essentials
Chapter 39: Perioperative Care
Preoperative Preparation
- Medical Evaluation: Includes mCXR, CBC, urinalysis, and EKG.
- Fasting: NPO for 6–8 hours before surgery.
- Personal Care:
- Hygiene: Complete bath, shower, or shampoo to reduce microbes.
- Grooming: Remove makeup, nail polish, and artificial nails to monitor color and circulation.
- Hair Care: Remove hairpins, clips, combs, wigs, and hairpieces. Use a surgical cap.
- Oral Hygiene: Do not allow the person to swallow water.
- Dentures: Provide care and store safely;
Fast Food Health Risks: Why You Should Avoid It
The Impact of Daily Fast Food Consumption
It is clear that many people eat fast food every day. Personally, I believe that people should never eat this type of food because it is bad for the body. One reason for this is that fast food is very unhealthy. It is a well-known fact that these meals contain too much **fat, salt, and sugar**. Secondly, eating this food frequently causes serious health problems. For instance, research has shown that it leads to *obesity and heart disease*. To conclude, fast
Read MoreCommon Chronic Diseases and Cellular Processes Explained
Common Chronic Diseases and Cellular Processes
Asthma
Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that makes them narrow, swell, and ultimately leads to shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.
Causes
- Air pollution
- Smoking
- Weather changes
- Exposure to cold air
- Anxiety, stress, dust, etc.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Anxiety
- Paleness
- Sweating
Parkinson’s Disease
It is named after the British physician Dr. James Parkinson. It is a chronic and progressive neurologic
Read MoreCardiovascular and Systemic Drugs: Classes, Uses and Mechanisms
Anti-arrhythmic Drugs
Anti-arrhythmic drugs are medications used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). They work by modifying the electrical activity of the heart.
Classification
- Class I: Sodium channel blockers (e.g., Quinidine, Lidocaine)
- Class II: Beta blockers (e.g., Propranolol)
- Class III: Potassium channel blockers (e.g., Amiodarone)
- Class IV: Calcium channel blockers (e.g., Verapamil)
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent blood clotting.
- Warfarin: Inhibits vitamin K–dependent
Clinical Exercise Physiology Essentials
Role of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist
A Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) investigates the relationship between exercise and chronic disease, focusing on the mechanisms of how exercise influences disease states. Their scope of practice includes evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. They study anatomy, physiology, chemistry, kinesiology, and psychology to analyze medical records, perform fitness and stress tests, and measure factors such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and
Read MoreMedical School Application: STAR Method Narrative Examples
Why Medicine? The STAR Method
Thesis Statement: I didn’t arrive at medicine through a single moment, but through lived experiences that revealed a pattern—one that brought together human connection, scientific inquiry, and advocacy for those who are too often unheard.
Human Connection
1. Working as a recreation therapist in long-term care and palliative care, I moved beyond theory and classroom teachings to actual, real-life patient-facing experiences where I had to face some of the most complex,
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