I was cleaning out some old papers and came across the following given to me prior to my coronary by-pass surgery. All I remember was I hurt.
There will be noise from both the equipment and the activity.
HEART MONITOR: A machine that continuously shows the electrical activity in your heart.
INFUSION PUMPS: Machines that continuously control the rate at which you will get various medicines and fluids.
ARTERIAL LINES AND MONITORS: Tubing’s and machines that continuously measure your blood pressure and allows blood to be drawn without a needle stick
SWAN-GANZ CATHETER: A long catheter that is put into a vein in your neck or upper shoulder. The end of it is placed in your heart. It measures the pressure in your heart.
ENDO TRACHEAL TUBE: A large tube that is put through your mouth or nose into your lungs. It must be kept free of mucous to make it easy for you to breathe. Since you cannot cough, the tube is kept clean through suctioning. This procedure is slightly uncomfortable but lasts only a few seconds. While this tube is in place, you will not be able to talk.
VENTILATOR: This machine helps you breathe until the anesthesia wears off and you are able to breathe on your own.
FOLEY CATHETER: A tube that goes into your bladder and drains your urine.
GASTRIC TUBE: A tube that is put through your nose or mouth into the stomach. It removes stomach contents to keep you from getting sick to your stomach.
CHEST TUBES: Blood and fluids will collect in your chest during surgery. These tubes will be put in during surgery to drain unwanted fluid.
PACEMAKER: A pacemaker is put in during surgery. The pacemaker box may be attached to wires and used TEMPORARILY until your heart rhythm returns to normal.
RESTRAINTS: Soft wrist restraints may be used to maintain important treatment lines. These will be removed as soon as you are awake and cooperative.
Well there it is. This is what I woke up to. And no it wasn’t pleasant.