Postoperative Procedures Key Terms
Master these terms for the POSTOP domain. Terms are grouped by topic area.
Dressings and Wound Care
Primary dressing
The dressing layer applied directly over the incision or wound site.
Secondary dressing
An outer dressing layer providing additional absorption, protection, or securement over the primary dressing.
Pressure dressing
A dressing applied with firm, even pressure to control oozing or support a graft/flap site.
Occlusive dressing
An air- and water-impermeable dressing that seals the wound from the external environment.
Nonadherent dressing
A dressing designed not to stick to the wound bed, reducing trauma on removal.
Drains
Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain
A closed-suction drain using a bulb reservoir to remove fluid from a surgical site and prevent seroma/hematoma formation.
Penrose drain
A soft, flat, open passive drain that allows fluid to drain by gravity and capillary action.
Hemovac drain
A closed-suction drain using a spring-loaded reservoir, commonly used in orthopedic procedures.
Closed drainage system
A drain system sealed from open air, reducing the risk of retrograde bacterial contamination compared to open systems.
Specimen and Documentation
Specimen disposition
The final handling, labeling, and transport of a surgical specimen after the procedure concludes.
Intraoperative record
The documentation of counts, positioning, medications, and events throughout the procedure, completed by the circulator.
Wound classification
The CDC Class I-IV designation assigned at the end of a procedure based on contamination encountered.
Room Turnover
Terminal cleaning
Thorough end-of-day cleaning and disinfection of the entire OR, including all surfaces, equipment, and floors.
Between-case cleaning
Cleaning and disinfection performed between patients to prepare the room for the next case.
Turnover time
The interval between one patient leaving the OR and the next patient's procedure beginning.
Instrument Processing
Point-of-use treatment
Keeping instruments moist and removing gross debris immediately after use, before transport to sterile processing.
Decontamination
The process of removing organic material and reducing microbial load on instruments before sterilization.
Sterile processing department (SPD)
The department responsible for cleaning, inspecting, assembling, and sterilizing reusable surgical instruments.
Patient Transfer and Handoff
PACU (post-anesthesia care unit)
The unit where patients recover immediately after surgery under close monitoring as anesthesia wears off.
Handoff communication
The structured transfer of patient information between the OR team and the receiving unit (PACU or ICU).
Safe patient transfer technique
Coordinated movement of the patient from the OR table to a stretcher or bed, protecting airway, lines, drains, and surgical site.
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