Running Head: ENDOSCOPY OBSERVATION

Endoscopy Observation

Andrew Makosky

Youngstown State University

Endoscopy Observation
Running Head: ENDOSCOPY OBSERVATION

Spending the day in the surgical operating room was very educational. I have found that I

really enjoy the surgical atmosphere. I like how the surgical team works together to get the

procedure done successfully. The surgical atmosphere is much different than being on a

traditional nursing floor. I like the idea of having only one patient at a time and being able to

completely focus in on that patient.

The patient that I observed came into the hospital with upper abdominal pain. They had an

ulcer in the past so the patient was suspected to have another stomach ulcer. The procedure that

was done to confirm this was an endoscopy. An endoscopy is done to examine the upper

gastrointestinal tract for inflammation, bleeding, irritation, ulcers, and tumors. After examining

the gastrointestinal tract, based on the findings this allows us to provide more focused nursing

care.

General preparation for an endoscopy is to not eat or drink for eight hours before to ensure

the stomach is empty for the procedure. The stomach needs to be emptied so that we can see and

observe the inner lining of the stomach. If there were to be food in the stomach, the endoscope

would be obstructed and we would not be able to get good pictures of the abnormal stomach

areas. The operating room also needed to be prepared for the procedure. Before the patient even

came to the room, the nurse made sure the doctor had the correct sized scope to use, the suction

was hooked up, and the working station had the correct materials.

The procedure that I observed was an endoscopy. The patient was put to sleep and

monitored by the nurse anesthetist. The doctor then put the endoscope down the throat and into

the stomach. Sometimes throughout the procedure the nurse would help push the scope while

the doctor controlled the direction. This allowed for more precise movement of the endoscope.

The doctor is able to see the inside of the stomach by looking at the monitor. The monitor
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displays the lighted scope camera. If something is in the way of the stomach lining the scope is

able to spray water or even suction out stomach contents that are in the way. Once the doctor got

to the area of concern he took several screenshots of the stomach with the scope. He took

screenshots of the stomach valves, some inflammation, and the site of the ulcer. These

screenshots are able to be printed right in the operating room and charted after the procedure.

The doctor also took a biopsy of the stomach tissue to sample in the lab for culture.

Communication was key during this procedure. The nurse anesthetist had to communicate with

the surgical team to ensure the patient was under anesthesia and the patient was in stable

condition. The doctor had to communicate with the nurse whether they were navigating the

scope or collecting tissue for the biopsy. The nurse also communicated with the team in order to

protect the patient. For example, the nurse confirmed with every member of the team the name

of the patient, date of birth, procedure, and procedure location.

Before the procedure the nurse got the patient from the waiting area and asked them if they

have any questions, any allergies, and if they took any medications. This is done for patient’s

safety. The nurse then brought the patient to the operating room. While in the operating room,

the nurse prepped the patient for surgery by placing them in the correct position. The nurse acted

as the patient advocate by covering up the patient, keeping the operating room door shut, and

completing proper timeouts and charting before surgery. After the surgery, the nurse cleaned

and disinfected the operating room and scopes so that the next patient would not be at harm of

infection.

Overall, I really enjoyed working in the operational room. In the operating room as a nurse

you are able to work together with other members of the surgical team to properly complete a

procedure. Each procedure could be different and have many different findings. This is really
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interesting to me. After experiencing the day in the operating room, I found that I would be

interested in working there in the future.