The cardiovascular surgical nurse is an integral part of the surgical team. The nurse assists surgeons and other nurses throughout the procedure to ensure the highest possible level of care. Cardiovascular surgical nurses have many responsibilities, all of which correlate with anticipating and providing the best care for the patient.
Assess Care
The cardiovascular surgical nurse will need to assess the care of the patient by determining pain levels, taking vital signs, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, taking blood, reading results and administering basic care as a result of that information.
Plan Care
Cardiovascular surgical nurses will outline a care plan for a patient based on test results, vitals and health problems. This includes scheduling additional tests, calling in doctors to evaluate the patient and providing the doctors with the plan of care for approval. Plans should take into consideration all health problems, allergies, previous medicines the patient is taking and the standard of care for the presenting conditions.
Implement Care
Care will need to be implemented by the cardiovascular surgical nurse with input from cardiovascular surgeons as necessary. All orders given by doctors should be followed, including exercise, administering medicine, checking vitals, changing dressings, changing medicines or dosages, as well as ensuring the patient is as comfortable as possible.
Evaluates Patient During Procedure
The cardiovascular surgical nurse will need to evaluate the patient's vital signs during any procedure and notify the doctors and surgeons of any important changes that would affect the procedure as administered.
Assists Surgeon
The cardiovascular surgical nurse will assist the surgeon as necessary throughout cardiovascular procedures. This includes watching heart rate and blood pressure for any important changes, monitoring body temperature, suctioning, assisting in resuscitation if needed, as well as administering additional medicines, running tests, providing necessary instruments and other related duties.
Knowledgeable
The cardiovascular surgical nurse must be highly knowledgeable of all instruments, procedures, supplies and equipment used on all cardiovascular surgeries. The cardiovascular surgical nurse will also engage in continuing education to learn new procedures, supplies, equipment and instruments as necessary.
Standards
Cardiovascular surgical nurses maintain the high standards of nursing care and ensure these standards are always met in order to provide excellent care to cardiovascular patients.
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