Explores the nature of surgical nursing in all its guises, addressing issues and measuring outcomes. This book explains the principles, which underlie the nursing care of patients throughout their surgical journey. The text will help nurses develop their role and their philosophy of care in the improvement of patient management.

Introduction PART 1 the SURGICAL NURSE & The NATURE of SURGICAL NURSING: the Role of the Surgical Nurse and Knowledge for Practice. The Surgical Nurse as Independent & Collaborative Practitioner. The Surgical Nurse as Teach & Health Promoter. Ethical & Legal Aspects of Nursing Surgical Patients. Support for the Surgical Nurse & supportingOthers. Clinical Career Structure/Opportunities for Nurses Caring for Surgical Patients. PART 2 the PERSON UNDERGOING SURGERY: thePerson as a Holistic Being. Physiological Implications of Surgery. Psychological Implications of Surgery. Socio-Cultural Implications for Surgery. The Patient/Client at Different Life Stages in the Surgical Setting PART 3 the ENVIRONMENT for SURGERY: theChanging Setting for Surgery. Principles of Infection Control /The Hospital Environment. The Pre-Admission Clinic. The High Dependency Unit. The Health Centre Environment PART 4 HEALTH OUTCOMES of SURGERY: Health Outcomes of Surgery. Clinical Indicators & Outcomes in Surgery PART 5 KEY CONCEPTS WHEN CARING for PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGERY: Principlesof Preparing Patients/Clients for Surgery. Principles of Intr-Operative Care. Principles of Post-Operative Care. Maintaining Effective Breathing. Pain Control. Managing Nausea & Vomiting. Maintaining Adequate Circulation. Fluid & Electrolyte Balance. Maintaining Optimum Nutrition. Wound Drainage, Health & Management