Perioperative Equipment and Instruments for Registered Nurses

Module 2: Instruments

🎯 Module Objectives 
  1. Discuss the composition of quality stainless steel instruments 
  2. Classify instruments into one of the four main categories and describes their uses 
  3. Identify and name routinely used instruments 
  4. Outline intraoperative care, handling and passing of basic instruments 
  5. Explain the differences between rigid and flexible endoscopes 
  6. Describe the use of reusable versus disposable, and sharp versus blunt trocars 
  7. Differentiate among laparoscopic graspers, scissors, needle drivers and clip appliers 
  8. Explain the care and handling of endoscopes
  9. Differentiate between robotic and MIS instrumentation 
  10. Explain the differences between closing staplers, open surgery, and minimally invasive surgical staplers 
  11. Describe the basic handling and reloading of staplers 
  12. List the three power sources for powered surgical equipment 
  13. Describe basic care and handling of power equipment 
  14. Explain the basic functions of inventory management systems 
  15. List considerations involved when creating new instrument sets 
  16. Explain the general principles of placing instruments in rigid sterilization containers 
  17. Describe nurses’ roles in point-of-care cleaning of instruments 
đź“– Required Readings 

Alexander’s Care of the patient in surgery
16th ed. p. 187-195 (start at Instruments to Perioperative Nursing Considerations); p 201 – 217 (stop reading at Video Conferencing)

17th ed. p. 184-192 (start at Instruments to Perioperative Nursing Considerations); p 199 – 215 (stop reading at Video Conferencing)

Healthcare Purchasing News Nov. 2020: 

Behm & Seymour (2020). Managing the reprocessing challenges of robotic instruments 

Introduction

In this module, you will learn the proper purposes, uses, care and handling of surgical instruments and equipment. Thorough knowledge of surgical instrumentation ultimately benefits patients’ health and safety. Nurses’ judicial use and care of instruments can lead to the longevity of products and greater surgical efficiency. This includes less need for repair, replacement and reprocessing costs.

This Module is divided into four sections:

  1. Instrument composition and categories
  2. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instrumentation
  3. Specialty Instrumentation – stapling devices, power equipment
  4. Care and Handling of Instruments/Sets
Begin Module