The research will utilize a descriptive method of study in which it is a study that describes the nature of the phenomenon under investigation after a survey of current trends, practices and conditions that relate to the phenomenon. The respondents will be twenty (20) randomly selected patients from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The inclusion criteria will include: a) patient’s ages 13 years old and above whom have been in the PACU for 2-6 hours or more b) and have agreed to participate in the study.
The exclusion criteria will be patients who are terminally ill and those patients that have not agreed to participate. Data result and analysis Twenty patients randomly selected from PACU participated in the study. They were surveyed from the side effect of General and Regional anesthesia. On the twenty patients that participated 15% are from ages 13-20, 40% are 21-30 years old and 45% are from ages 31 and above. The usual side effects of the patients are headache, blurring of vision, nausea and vomiting, pain and other complications.
Out of the 20 patients, 11 (55%) of which had general anesthesia while 9 (45%) of them had regional anesthesia with their procedures. Out of the 11 patients who had General anesthesia, 2 (18. 18%) are from ages 13-20, 3 (27. 27%) are from ages 21-30 and 6 (54. 54%) are from ages 31 above. Out of the 9 patients who had Regional anesthesia, 1 (11. 11%) is from age 13-20, 5 (55. 56%) are from ages 21-30 and 3 (33. 33%) are from ages 31 and above. Out of the 20 patients who received anesthesia only 30% manifested blurring of vision as a side effect of the anesthetics used.
From this 30%, 75% is from patients who had General anesthesia mainly those from ages 31 above and 25% are from patients who regional anesthesia mainly from 21-30 years old. 89% of the patients was nauseated and vomited after the procedure due to anesthesia, 90% of which are patients who had general anesthesia and are from ages 21-30 and 31 above. Only 10% of patients who had regional anesthesia manifested nausea and vomiting. Out of the 20 patients under anesthesia only 15% had headache after the procedure, this patients are those patients (31 years old and above) that received general anesthesia.
20% of the patient who had anesthesia showed headache as a side effect of anesthesia. Wherein out of this 20%, only 3% are patients who had regional anesthesia and the rest are patients under general anesthesia. Only 5% of the patient showed other complications of anesthesia, these patients are those under general anesthesia. Discussion As the data showed, the usual side effects felt by the patient under anesthesia are headache, blurring of vision, nausea and vomiting, pain and other complications.
We can also see from the data that most of the patients under general anesthesia showed a high percentage of the said side effects. Although rather low in percentage, other complication of anesthesia was only seen in patients who had general anesthesia in their procedures. We can also say that as the patient grows old he/she is more vulnerable to the side effects of the anesthetics whether it maybe general or regional anesthesia. As the data also showed, regional anesthesia has minimal side effects compared to those patients who had general anesthesia.
But still this data’s that are gathered are not enough basis to show which is far more better anesthesia , although we can say that regional anesthetics causes minimal side effects. Further studies should be done in order to prove which anesthesia impose a greater risk for patients, other factors like the extent and duration of the surgery should also be included. The duration, amount and the kind of drug used should also be taken to account. Conclusion The use of anesthesia has changed over time.
Today, doctors and nurses have a greater understanding of how anesthesia affects an individual and they are aware of the factors that affect the choice of anesthetics based on the patients needs. Improvements in monitoring equipments and better information propagation have reduced anesthesia related complications and lessen the chances of deaths. Today, minimal side effects are felt after anesthesia because of the development of short acting and new intravenous drugs.
Nurses are important part of the surgical team and are involved in the care of patients in PACU. The nursing management objectives for the PACU patients is to provide care until the patient has recovered from the effects of anesthesia, is oriented, has stable vital signs, shows no evidence of hemorrhage and other complications. Therefore, they share the responsibility for recommending patients on what to expect during and after administration of anesthesia. It is their duty to educate the patient with vital information regarding anesthesia.
The must also be aware of the uncommon side effects, risk and recognize the signs and symptoms that may hinder the patients recovery. The nurse should be at all times alert and most importantly she/he must be knowledgeable about the protocols to follow for this is an important factor in life saving. Many people especially those patients that are not aware of their situations finds comfort in knowing that healthcare providers are equipped with information that are vital for them to understand their situation and aid them in making their choice regarding their health.
References
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