Surgical and Perioperativ Nursing
| Structure Type: | Study unit |
|---|---|
| Code: | SN00BX15 |
| Curriculum: | SH SNU2026 |
| Level: | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Year of Study: | 3 (2028-2029) |
| Semester: | Autumn |
| Credits: | 5 cr |
| Responsible Teacher: | Björninen, Karina |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
Learning Outcomes
Understand the surgical patient care process and its phases.
Recognize the importance of infection prevention in surgical and perioperative nursing.
Apply key principles of aseptic technique in personal practice and patient care in surgical environments.
Perform various surgical and perioperative patient care procedures.
Understand roles within the surgical and perioperative care team and the importance of effective communication for safe, high-quality care.
Identify key patient safety factors in invasive procedures.
Student's Workload
Total: 135 hours
Scheduled study (includes workshops: 14h and self-assessment: 1h)
Independent study
Contents
Foundations of surgical and perioperative nursing: pre-, intra-, and postoperative care and related interventions.
Surgery and anesthesiology.
Work and patient safety in invasive procedures (surgical safety, operating room checklists, safe teamwork/communication, infection prevention, safe handling of sharp instruments, continuity of care and information transfer).
Clinical Exercises
Perioperative nursing:
- Aseptic behavior in the operating room
- Preparation by perioperative nurse before patient arrival: local anesthesia, general anesthesia
- Patient monitoring during local and general anesthesia
- Safe surgical positioning
- Assisting anesthesiologist during local anesthesia (e.g., sterile table setup) and general anesthesia (e.g., ventilation, assisting with intubation)
- Skin disinfection (abdomen, limb)
- Surgical hand disinfection and donning sterile gown and gloves
- Draping the surgical area with sterile sheets
- Assisting surgeon, instrument handling, and equipment maintenance
Surgical nursing:
- Caring for tracheostomy patients
- Preparing epidural drug infusion
- Principles of surgical wound care
- Removing sutures and wound suturing
- Patient assessment using ABCDE protocol
- Ostomy care
- Wound drains
Recommended or Required Reading and Other Learning Resources/Tools
Material provided by the teacher
Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Lectures and workshops
Independent assignments
Assessment Criteria
Level 5 (Excellent):
Independently applies the surgical patient care process across all phases (pre-, intra-, and postoperative).
Effectively implements infection prevention strategies in surgical and perioperative nursing.
Consistently applies aseptic principles in all clinical situations.
Performs a wide range of surgical and perioperative interventions accurately and safely.
Demonstrates strong understanding of team roles and communicates effectively to ensure patient safety and high-quality care.
Identifies and manages patient safety risks during invasive procedures proactively.
Level 3 (Satisfactory):
Understands the surgical patient care process and can apply it with guidance.
Recognizes infection prevention measures and applies them in common situations.
Applies aseptic principles in routine tasks with occasional support.
Performs basic surgical and perioperative interventions under supervision.
Understands team roles and communicates adequately in standard situations.
Recognizes key patient safety factors during invasive procedures.
Level 1 (Basic):
Knows the main phases of the surgical patient care process.
Is aware of infection prevention importance but needs guidance to apply measures.
Knows aseptic principles but requires supervision to implement them.
Can describe basic surgical and perioperative interventions.
Knows team roles but has limited ability to communicate effectively.
Assessment Methods
Participation in lectures
Exams
Successful completion of medication calculation tasks
Numeric grading (0-5)
100% attendance in workshops