Perioperative Nursing Theory

Learning Activity Guide and Syllabus

3 Hour Credit Course

NUR 2293DE

Initiated January, 2005 Libby McNaron, RN, CNOR, CST, BSN, MS

 Perioperative Nursing Theory

Gulf Coast Community College

3 Hour Credit Course
Perioperative Nursing Theory
Learning Activity Guide

Syllabus…………………………………………………………………………………….3

Topical Outline…………………………………………………………………………….5

Course Objectives………………………………………………………………………….7

Requirements……………………………………………………………………………….4

Course Calendar…………………………………………………………………………....8

Theory Learning Units…………………………………………………………………….9

Perioperative Nursing – Roles

Recommended A-V Viewing List…………………………………………………………11

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

Gulf Coast Community College

Perioperative Nursing Theory
Nursing NUR 2293
COURSE TITLE AND NUMBER: Perioperative Nursing Theory

PLACEMENT IN PROGRAM OF LEARNING: Elective Second Term through Fourth

Term for Current Nursing Students; Open enrollment to any Florida Licensed Registered
Nurse.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce the registered nurse or

nursing student to Perioperative Nursing with a focus on the Intraoperative component.
This course includes an introduction to the Patient’s Perioperative Experience, Roles and
Responsibilities of the Registered Nurse; Principles and Practice of Sterile Technique;
Sterilization and Disinfection; Operating Room Hazards; and an Introduction to Surgical
Technique.

CREDITS: 3 Semester Credits. Student may register anytime and exit at anytime once
the course objectives are completed. It is expected that course completion will be achieved
within one semester. A second course is available through cooperative education for
“hands on” experience in the operating room – NUR 2949. Please call L. McNaron for
further information on the course. Upon satisfactory completion (70%; C or better) of
both courses a Certificate in Perioperative Nursing will be awarded.

CLOCK HOURS:
Distance Education Course over a 12- 16 Week Period utilizes Blackboard – Web Course.

PRE-REQUISITE: Current pre-requisites for second term nursing; or current proof of

licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Florida.
CO-REQUISITE: Registered Nursing License. If not, then student must be currently
enrolled or completed NUR1212C.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Self-paced modules, computer-assisted instruction.
Instructor interaction via web based course design, assignments, and verbal
feedback/answers and questions.
GCCC GRADING SCALE
METHODS OF EVALUATION: A (90-100)
Assignments 30% B (80-89)
Written Examination 70% C (70-79)
2 Exams: 1 at Midterm D (60-69)
1 Final Exam F (0-59)

TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE:

30% of the grade is from module assignments.
Completion of Assigned Modules – Average Score –Self-assessment Quizzes from each
module.
70% of the grade is from the student’s Mid-term and Final Exam.

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE STUDENTS MUST:

(1) Complete the blackboard examinations.
(2) Adhere to the policies as listed in the current general college catalog, Handbook for
Nursing Students, and those provided to the student during the first orientation class
for the facility.

ABSENTISM:
To be considered active in the class student must make contact with the instructor at
least weekly via blackboard entry or email. If no contact is received within two
weeks, student will be considered to have self-withdrawn from the class and the
instructor will initiate an instructor withdrawal form for the student.

COMPLETION OF COURSE:
Please note that completion of this course does not guarantee employment or a
specific position at any healthcare facility.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Berry and Kohn’s Operating Room Technique (2001); 10th Ed., Atkinson & Fortunato, Mosby.
Learning Activity Guide for Perioperative Nursing Theory - Syllabus

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:
Pocket Guide to the Operating Room (1996); 2nd Ed., Goldman, F.A. Davis.
Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery (1999); 11th Ed., Meeker & Rothrock, Mosby.

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

Gulf Coast Community College

Perioperative Nursing

TOPICAL OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION TO PERIOPERATIVE NURSING

A. OR Team
B. Perioperative Nursing History
C. Roles of the Individual Members
1. Sterile Team vs. Unsterile Team Members
2. Circulator Role
3. Scrub Role
4. First Assistant Role
5. Second Assistant Role
6. Second Circulator Role
7. Student Role
D. Perioperative Nursing Defined
1. Preoperative
2. Intraoperative
3. Postoperative
II. INTRODUCTION TO PERIOPERATIVE NURSING – NURSING CARE PLAN
A. Overview of the Surgical Experience
1. Nursing Process and the Surgical Patient
2. Sample Care Plan – Safe Environment for the patient
B. Documentation
1. Quality Management
2. Risk Management

III. PRINCIPLES OF STERILE TECHNIQUE

A. OR Sanitation and Universal Precautions
B. Aseptic Technique - Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) Standards
C. Scrubbing, Gowning, and Gloving
D. Establishment of a Sterile Field
IV. APPLICATION OF STERILE TECHNIQUE PRINCIPLES
A. Sterilization and Disinfection
A. Care and Handling of Instruments
1. Decontamination
2. Packaging and Sterilization
3. Sterile Processing

V. SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
A. Types of Instruments – Basic Identification and Usage
B. Overview of Most Common Surgical Instruments utilized for all surgical
Procedures
C. Universal Case Setup
a. Minor vs Major setup

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

b. Separation of clean and dirty

D. Care and Handling of Instruments
1. Intraoperative care
2. Postoperative care

VI. PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE I

A. Anesthesia
1. Types and Agents Utilized
2. Induction
3. Maintenance
4. Extubation
B. Anesthesia Agents
1. Gas Inhalants – Scavenging System
2. Malignant Hyperthermia
3. Monitoring the patient receiving local anesthesia

VII. PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE II

A. Positioning the Patient
B. Surgical Skin Preparation
C. Sponge Sharp, and Instrument Counts
C. Specimen Handling
1. Care of Surgical Specimens
2. Formalin - Safety
D. Electrosurgery
E. Laparoscopic Equipment

VIII. PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT CARE III

A. Hemostasis
B. Wound Closure and Healing
C. Suture

IX. ORIENTATION TO SURGICAL SERVICES - CORE CASES:

A. General Surgery Service - GEN
B. Gynecological Surgery Service – GYN
C. Laparoscopic Surgery Service – LAP GEN or LAP GYN
D. Genitourinary Surgery Service - GU
E. Orthopedic Surgery Service – ORTHO
F. Otorhinolaryngological Surgery Service – ENT

G. ORIENTATION TO SURGICAL SERVICES – SPECIALTY CASES

A. Plastic-Reconstructive Surgery Service – PLAS
B. Vascular Surgery Service - VAS
C. Cardiac Surgery Service - CV
D. Thoracic Surgery Service – THOR
E. Neurosurgical Surgery Service – NEURO
F. Ophthalmic Surgery Service – OP TH
G. Pediatric Surgery Service – PEDS

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

PERIOPERATIVE NURSING
COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

ROLE AS A CIRCULATOR WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF NURSING:

1. Describe the basic role and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse during the
preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phase of the patient’s surgical
experience. Identifies the role and responsibilities of the circulator as a member
of the OR Team.

2. Identifies the basic principles of surgical Aseptic Technique including the

Association of Operating Room Nurses Standards of Care and the methods of
sterilization and disinfection.

3. Establishes a client outcome and plan of care that focuses on prevention of

problems. Identifies potential surgical hazards and safety measures to prevent
injury including patient and occupational related hazards.

4. Identifies the basic nursing functions related to Intraoperative care including

positioning and surgical skin preparation for the surgical patient.

5. Identifies the principles and standards related to the establishment and

maintenance of the sterile field as a nonsterile member of the team.

ROLE AS A SCRUB WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF NURSING:

1. Identifies the role and responsibilities of the surgical scrub as a member of the
OR team.

2. Identifies the principles and standards related to the performance of the surgical
scrub including closed glove and gown technique.

3. Identifies the principles and standards related to the establishment and

maintenance of the sterile field as a sterile member of the team.

4. Identifies key basic surgical instruments necessary for all surgical procedures.

5. Identifies basic surgical technique principles regarding tissue handling, wound

closure, and hemostasis.

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

Perioperative Nursing
Gulf Coast College Course Calendar – Distance Education
Theory Hours. Use this calendar to plan your time. To complete this course in a semester, it is recommended
that you complete the modules in the week assigned.

Recommended Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Module

Summer Fall or
Session Spring
12 Sessions
Weeks 16
Weeks
Week 1 1
1
Week 2 2
2
Week 3 3
3
Week 4 4
4
Week 5 5
5
Week Midterm 5
6
Week 6 Midterm
7
Week 7 6
8
Week 8 7
9
Week 9 7/8
10
Week 10 8
11
Week Final 9
12
Week 9/10
13
Week 10
14
Review
Week 1-10
15
Week Final
16

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 Perioperative Nursing Theory

Perioperative Nursing Theory - Learning Units

Gulf Coast College Course Calendar - 12 Weeks Summer; 16 Weeks Fall/Spring
Module Required Recommended
#
Learning Objectives - Topic Textbook Textbook/Video
#1 Introduction to Perioperative Nursing Berry & Kohn Library Video:
Roles of Team Chapter 1-6 1. The OR: A Team Effort
Overview of Surgical Experience
Introduction to Perioperative Nursing Berry & Kohn;
Potential Nursing Diagnosis Chapters 7-9
#2
Universal Care Plan – Modification
Documentation
Principles of Sterile Technique Berry & Kohn; Library Video:
OR Sanitation and Universal Precautions Chapters 1. Aseptic Technique
#3 10 - 16 Principles and Practices
Aseptic Technique Principles
#4 Principles of Sterile Technique Berry & Kohn; Library Video:
Sterilization and Disinfection Chapters 1. Sterilization in the 21st
17 - 18 Century
Sterile Processing 2. Care & Handling of
Instruments
#5 Surgical Instruments Berry & Kohn;
Types; Care & Handling Chapters
19 - 20
Overview of most common types - Basic
Identification; Universal Setup
Midterm Exam
Roles of the OR Team; Perioperative Nursing;
Sterile Principles; Care Plan; Sterilization;
Care & Handling of Instruments
#6 Principles of Patient Care Berry & Kohn;
Anesthesia; Anesthesia Agents; Chapters
21--24
IV Conscious Sedation
Principles of Patient Care Berry & Kohn; Video Library:
#7 Chapters 1. Skin Preparation of the
Positioning of the patient
25-27 Surgical Patient
Surgical Skin Preparation 2. Safely Positioning the
Sponge Sharp and Instrument Counts Patient
Specimen Handling 3. Surgical Counts: Don’t
Electrosurgery make a case of it.
Laparoscopic Precautions
#8 Principles of Patient Care Berry & Kohn Video Library:
Hemostasis Chapters 1. Electrosurgery: Principles
28-31 and Practices
Wound Closure and Healing 2. Lasers in the Operating
Suture Room
#9 Overview of Surgical Services – Core Surgery Berry & Kohn Video Library:
Most Common Surgical Procedures and Surgical Chapters 1. Powered Surgical
32-35 Instruments
Instruments & Equipment
Ex: Laparoscopic, Tourniquet

#10 Overview of Surgical Services – Specialty Surgery Berry & Kohn Video Library:
Most Common Surgical Procedures and Surgical Chapters 1. Minimally Invasive
36 - 44 Surgery: The Role of the
Instruments & Equipment Perioperative Nurse
Ex: Specialty
Final Exam Schedule for proctored Exam Textbook that is more detailed for
individual surgery is Alexander’s
Care of the Patient in Surgery.
Please Note: Videos have been ordered, but may not have been received yet…Call the Library to verify availability.

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Perioperative Nursing
Recommended Viewing List
Video Enhancements

These videos have been purchased for this course and are located in
the Library for viewing.

Roles of the Team:

Cine-Med; Video No. 1774; THE OR: A Team Effort

Aseptic Technique, Gown/Glove Technique:

Cine-Med; Video No. 1865; Aseptic Technique: Principles and Practices

Circulator Duties:
Cine-Med; Video No. 1753; Skin Preparation of the Surgical Patient
Cine-Med; Video No. 1931; Safely Positioning the Patient
Cine-Med; Video No. 1818; Surgical Counts: Don’t Make A Case of It!

Instrumentation, Sterilization, Disinfection:

Cine-Med; Video No. 1932; Sterilization in the 21st Century
Cine-Med; Video No. 1861; Care and Handling of Instruments
Cine-Med; Video No. 1860; Powered Surgical Instruments

Specialty Equipment used in the OR:

Cine-Med; Video No. 1812; Electrosurgery: Principles and Practices
Cine-Med; Video No. 1856; Lasers in the Operating Room

Laparoscopic Surgery:
Cine-Med; Video No. 1930; Minimally Invasive Surgery: The Role of the
Perioperative Nurse

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