ANSWERS

1. List criteria essential for the recovery room.
   • Warm ambient environment.
   • Good ventilation.
   • Equipment readily available to deal with post-operative emergencies.
2. What vital signs would you monitor when a patient is recovering from surgery under general anaesthesia?
   • Temperature.
   • CRT.
   • Pulse rate, rhythm and depth.
   • Respiratory rate and depth.
   • Hydration status.
   • Mucous membrane colour.
3. List 10 possible causes of heat loss.
   • Low ambient temperature/draughty environment.
   • Damp skin as a result of an overly wet pre-op scrub procedure/strike through.
   • Evaporation of moisture from the respiratory tract.
   • Evaporation from externalisation of tissues and internal organs.
   • General anaesthesia (particularly the use of non-rebreathing circuits).
   • Inactivity or a lowered metabolic rate.
   • The clipping of hair.
   • Large ratio of body surface area to weight.
   • Malnutrition.
   • Disease/shock.
4. List 5 signs of hypothermia.
   • Shivering.
   • Cold extremities.
   • Pallid mucous membranes.
   • Reduced pulse rate.
   • Subnormal core temperature.
5. State 3 reasons why a drain might be placed following surgery.
   • Prophylaxis - to allow drainage from the dead space within the wound.
   • Therapeutic drainage of a contaminated wound.
   • To remove fluid or air from body cavities such as the chest.
6. State the 2 types of closed drain and briefly describe each.
   • Active - a suction device is employed.
   • Passive - a simple collection bag is employed which relies upon drainage by gravity.
7. From what material are Penrose drains made?
   Soft latex rubber.
8. What is a sump Penrose drain?
   A Foley catheter is placed inside a fenestrated Penrose drain. This enables fluid to pass via the outside of the Foley (sump) drain. The Penrose drain prevents the adhesion of tissue to the Foley drain. These drains are therefore suitable for long-term use.