Utilizing critical reasoning and the nursing process, the student is expected to:
Discuss the types of surgery based on the purpose, setting
Differentiate between inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory surgery
Analyze comprehensive assessment findings of the preoperative patient
Identify preoperative teaching that is essential for the preoperative patient
Identify the elements of informed consent and differentiate the nurse's and healthcare provider's role in the informed consent process
Describe the day-of-surgery preparation for the preoperative patient including the nurse's role and preoperative medications
Identify common diagnostic tests performed preoperatively
Compare and contrast the different phases of postanesthesia care
Discuss admission and initial assessment in postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
Identify the etiology, prevention, and management of complications for the post-surgical patient
Describe the discharge criteria for the postoperative patient for Phase I and Phase II postanesthesia care and ambulatory surgery settings
Review how evidence-based practice is used to prioritize, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions to address the needs of diverse and vulnerable patients/families with social determinants of health that contribute to multiple body system problems
Identify ways to collaborate with the interdisciplinary health care team when providing patient-centered care including during local or global health events.
Describe legal and ethical considerations including service excellence and nursing peer review.
Identify complementary medicine options and quality improvement initiatives including civility and just culture.
1. Review module objectives.
2. Learning Resources:
Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., Hagler, D., and Reinisch, C. (2023). Lewis’s Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (12th edition). Elsevier Inc.
Chapter 18 Preoperative Care, pp. 335-349
Chapter 20 Postoperative Care, pp. 365-384
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., Hall, A. M., & Ostendorf, W. R. (2025). Fundamentals of nursing (12th ed.). Elsevier.
Chapter 50 Care of Surgical Patients, pp. 1430- 1455(Skip Intraoperative Surgical Phase pp. 1455-1458)
Continue with Postoperative Surgical Phase pp 1458-1479
3. Complete Critical Thinking Exercises:
Pre and Post-Operative Student Learning Guide
4. Supplemental Learning:
See Bb
5. Review module objectives and check for knowledge gaps.
6. Go to the Evolve website and review the module content and practice questions.