Exam 22: Thoracic Surgery

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)is a minimally invasive operative technique that has evolved over the past decade.It uses an endoscopic approach to visualize the thoracic cavity for diagnosis of pleural disease or treatment of pleural and lung conditions.In the adult,the surgeon creates a 2- to 3-cm incision between the intercostal spaces for insertion of the 10- or 12-mm trocar.The trocar sites can also be used for insertion of a .

Patients having thoracic surgery share a common nursing diagnosis of Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity related to surgical positioning,length of surgical intervention,or use of chemical antimicrobial agents on the skin.The type of position used in thoracic surgery is determined by the operative procedure planned.In addition to placing the patient in appropriate body alignment,what other interventions can ensure that the patient's skin integrity is maintained?

Roger Waring,a 46-year-old male with early-stage lung cancer,was listening to his surgeon describe the surgical plan in preparation for signing the informed consent.The surgeon described a procedure that would be done before the thoracoscopic lung surgery.The surgeon described an examination of Roger's middle chest lymph nodes and the area below where the bronchi branch into the right and left lungs,and possibly taking biopsies of suspicious tissue.The procedure uses a hollow lighted tube with fiberoptic light-carrying fibers.What diagnostic procedure will precede Roger's thoracoscopic lung surgery?

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS)is an alternative surgical treatment for patients with which pulmonary condition?

After successful reinsertion of the patient's chest tube,Sandra conducted a debriefing session with the new graduate nurses and medical student and asked several reflective questions about the follow-up care of the patient and chest tube.What would be an appropriate question to ask the new nurses and student about follow-up care?