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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Key Terms

Medical-Surgical NursingKey Terms

Key Terms

bolus
single large dose of fluid or medication
durable medical equipment (DME)
equipment such as elevated toilet seats, walkers, or ambulatory, mobility devices
inotropic
medications that impact the speed of cardiac contraction
phase I PACU
accommodates complex surgical and high-acuity patients; also known as main or primary PACU
phase II PACU
extended care units for patients who need less acute support after their surgery
postanesthesia care unit (PACU)
hospital unit where patients are temporarily admitted after a surgery
postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
excessive nausea and vomiting that occurs as a result of anesthesia
postoperative phase
begins when the patient is transferred to the PACU and ends when the patient is transferred to another unit or discharged home
postoperative urinary retention (POUR)
inability to urinate after surgery even when the bladder is full
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