Skin color is a good indicator of perfusion status. Evaluate fluid needs by assessing arterial blood pressure and heart rate and check for peripheral edema or jugular venous distention that might indicate fluid overload. During this time, when patients may act disoriented, delirious, uncooperative, combative, or uninhibited, it is important to protect both the patient and the healthcare worker from injury by having enough personnel on hand. 3 Hypothermic patients may need intravenous fluid warmers and intraoperative warming devices used postoperatively. Three concepts are integral to a comprehensive understanding of these methods and their effects on postoperative patients.
Analgesia is defined as the lack of normal pain sensation.
4 Amnesia, an essential element of general anesthesia and a desired element of regional and sedation techniques, is the absence of awareness of stimuli and events. Regional anesthesia blocks the patient's sensory and motor function by interrupting nerve impulses before and after they enter the spinal cord. 5 Regional blocks of the spine, epidural area, and brachial plexus in conjunction with IV sedation can provide an effective alternative to general anesthesia in certain procedures on extremities or the lower abdomen. Postoperative care of patients with regional anesthesia includes assessment of the sensory and motor level of the area of the block. Document the return of motor function based on patients' ability to progressively move their feet, legs, and thighs.