Paola Luz Cruz

COURSE TASK WEEK 17

Postoperative Care:

Genia is a 73-year-old who is scheduled for mastoid surgery to remove cholesteatoma, a cyst-like fluid
sac filled with keratin debris, which was large enough to occlude the ear canal.

1. The patient is informed that she will have a mastoid pressure dressing in place after surgery. The
nurse tells Genia that the dressing will be removed at what time?

 After roughly 5 days, the dressing can be removed. If the situation is not severe, it may be possible to
have the operation the next day if the condition is not severe. A drain can be removed at the same time
that the drain is being cleaned or repaired.

2. Although infrequent, what type of nerve damage should the nurse assess for and immediately
report to the healthcare provider?

 The nurse should check the face nerve since it has the potential to be harmed and monitor the function
of the facial nerve; nevertheless, there is only a 2% chance of injury to the facial nerve occurring.

3. What should the nurse inform the patient are indicators of infection and should be reported
immediately to the healthcare provider?

Patients should be informed by their nurse that if they suffer any of the following symptoms they must
seek medical attention.

 high temperature
 redness, swelling behind the ear
 discharge from the ear headache