NLE Perioperative & Pain Nursing — Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound ManagementConcept Map
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Nursing loves to test Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound Management through questions that span multiple sub-topics in one item. A concept map helps you see those cross-links in advance. This page will show the full Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound Management concept map for NLE Perioperative & Pain Nursing once content generation completes.
Exam context
For the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Nursing tests Perioperative & Pain Nursing under a "Core" label, with Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound Management in the 2nd slot across 3 chapters. NLE candidates must clear the 75% weighted average with no sub-test below 60% cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about 50 Perioperative & Pain Nursing questions. Date to watch: Bi-annual.
Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound Management - Concept Map
Central Concept
Postoperative Care and Surgical Wound Management
Related Concepts
Concept
Immediate Postoperative Care in PACU
Sub Concepts
- ABCs Priority Assessment (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
- Level of Consciousness Monitoring
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Temperature Assessment
- Pain Assessment and Management
- Intake and Output Monitoring
- Protective Reflexes Return
- Aldrete Score Recovery Assessment
Relationship To Central
First critical phase of postoperative management following surgery completion
Concept
Postoperative Complications Prevention and Management
Sub Concepts
- Respiratory Complications (Atelectasis, Pneumonia)
- Circulatory Complications (DVT, Pulmonary Embolism)
- Gastrointestinal Complications (Paralytic Ileus)
- Wound Complications (Dehiscence, Evisceration)
- Hemorrhage and Hypovolemic Shock
- Postoperative Infection
- Urinary Retention
- Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Relationship To Central
Critical nursing interventions to recognize and prevent life-threatening complications
Concept
Wound Healing Process
Sub Concepts
- Primary Intention Healing
- Secondary Intention Healing
- Tertiary (Delayed Primary) Intention Healing
- Hemostasis Phase
- Inflammatory Phase (Days 1-4)
- Proliferative Phase (Granulation and Epithelialization)
- Maturation/Remodeling Phase
- Factors Supporting Healing (Protein, Vitamin C, Zinc, Glycemic Control)
Relationship To Central
Physiological progression essential for restoring tissue integrity after surgery
Concept
Surgical Drain Management
Sub Concepts
- Penrose Drain (Passive Open Drain)
- Jackson-Pratt Drain (Closed Suction System)
- Hemovac Drain (Closed Suction System)
- Maintaining Patency and Suction
- Empty and Re-compress Bulb
- Recording Drain Output
- Assessing Color and Amount of Drainage
- Securing Drain to Prevent Accidental Removal
- Aseptic Technique Application
Relationship To Central
Essential nursing care to prevent complications from fluid accumulation at surgical site
Concept
Postoperative Fever Timeline
Sub Concepts
- First 24 Hours (Wind) - Atelectasis
- Days 2-3 (Water) - Urinary Tract Infection
- Days 3-5 (Walking/Veins) - Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Days 4-6 (Wound) - Surgical Site Infection
- Any Time (Wonder Drugs) - Drug Reactions or IV-line Infection
- Fever above 38°C after Day 3 indicates infection
Relationship To Central
Memory aid for identifying likely causes of fever based on postoperative day (5 Ws)
Concept
Transfer from PACU and Discharge Planning
Sub Concepts
- PACU Discharge Criteria
- SBAR Hand-off Report
- Same-day Surgery Discharge Requirements
- Written Discharge Instructions
- Wound and Dressing Care Instructions
- Activity and Lifting Restrictions
- Medication Instructions
- Diet Advancement Guidelines
- Warning Signs to Report
- Follow-up Appointment Scheduling
Relationship To Central
Essential safety protocols ensuring patient safety and continuity of care
Concept
Nursing Diagnoses and Care Planning
Sub Concepts
- Risk for Ineffective Airway Clearance
- Ineffective Breathing Pattern
- Risk for Hemorrhage
- Acute Pain
- Risk for Infection
- Risk for Venous Thromboembolism
- Delayed Surgical Recovery
- Impaired Physical Mobility
- Constipation Risk
- Knowledge Deficit regarding Self-care
Relationship To Central
Application of NANDA-I framework for postoperative patient care using Maslow's hierarchy
Concept
Philippine Healthcare Context and Legal Framework
Sub Concepts
- Republic Act 9173 (Nursing Law)
- Scope of Practice - Licensed Nurses
- Standards of Care in Philippine Hospitals
- Documentation Requirements
- Patient Safety and Risk Management
- Infection Control Protocols
Relationship To Central
Professional practice standards and regulatory requirements for perioperative nursing
Concept Connections
To
ABCs Priority Assessment
From
Immediate PACU Care
Strength
strong
Relationship
Core foundation of postoperative assessment; ABCs guide all other interventions
To
Immediate PACU Care
From
Postoperative Complications Prevention and Management
Strength
strong
Relationship
Prevention begins in PACU with proper positioning, mobility, and monitoring
To
Deep breathing, Incentive spirometry, Ambulation
From
Atelectasis
Strength
strong
Relationship
Prevention measures directly address the pathophysiology of alveolar collapse
To
Postoperative Complications Prevention and Management
From
Wound Healing Process
Strength
strong
Relationship
Proper wound care and healing management prevent infection and dehiscence
To
Wound Healing Process
From
Surgical Drain Management
Strength
strong
Relationship
Drains prevent fluid accumulation that would delay healing and increase infection risk
To
Postoperative Complications Prevention and Management
From
Postoperative Fever Timeline
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Fever timeline helps nurses systematically identify which complication is likely present
To
Early Ambulation
From
DVT Prevention
Strength
strong
Relationship
Early ambulation is the primary intervention to prevent venous stasis and DVT
To
Early Ambulation
From
Paralytic Ileus
Strength
strong
Relationship
Mobility is key intervention that promotes return of peristalsis
To
Surgical Emergency Management
From
Wound Dehiscence and Evisceration
Strength
strong
Relationship
Evisceration is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention and surgical consultation
To
SBAR Hand-off Report
From
Transfer from PACU and Discharge Planning
Strength
strong
Relationship
Structured communication ensures continuity of care and patient safety during transitions
To
Patient Safety and Recovery
From
Discharge Teaching
Strength
strong
Relationship
Clear instructions prevent complications at home and promote optimal healing
To
NANDA-I Framework
From
Nursing Diagnoses and Care Planning
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Uses standardized nursing diagnosis language for professional communication and planning
To
RA 9173 Nursing Law
From
Philippine Healthcare Context
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Legal framework defines scope of nursing practice and accountability in perioperative care
To
Supporting Factors (Protein, Vitamin C, Zinc)
From
Wound Healing Phases
Strength
strong
Relationship
Nutritional factors are essential to support each phase of healing
To
Wound Healing
From
Glycemic Control
Strength
strong
Relationship
High glucose impairs healing and immunity; critical in diabetic patients
To
Circulation Assessment in PACU
From
Hemorrhage and Hypovolemic Shock
Strength
strong
Relationship
Primary concern in immediate postoperative period; first sign often hypotension
To
Postoperative Monitoring
From
Urinary Retention
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Common complication requiring assessment of bladder distention and appropriate intervention
To
Pain Management
From
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Strength
moderate
Relationship
Often related; both require assessment and targeted pharmacological management
To
Nursing Care Procedures
From
Drain Types
Strength
strong
Relationship
Different drain types require specific care techniques to maintain function
To
Maintaining Suction
From
JP Drain and Hemovac
Strength
strong
Relationship
Must be compressed regularly to maintain negative pressure for drainage
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