Abdominal Surgery: Pre- and Post-Operative Care

What you'll learn

Course overview

Abdominal surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures involving organs within the abdominal cavity, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and abdominal wall. These procedures may be performed for diagnostic, therapeutic, or emergency purposes. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in preparing patients for surgery, monitoring them during the perioperative period, and managing recovery during the postoperative phase. This course provides an overview of pre-operative assessment, patient education, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative nursing interventions for abdominal surgery patients. Special attention is given to identifying risk factors, preventing complications such as infection or respiratory compromise, and promoting optimal healing. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies for patient preparation, pain management, wound care, mobility promotion, and monitoring for complications including hemorrhage, ileus, and deep vein thrombosis. Communication, documentation, and interdisciplinary coordination are emphasized to ensure continuity of care. By strengthening perioperative assessment skills and understanding surgical recovery processes, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and support safe recovery following abdominal surgery.