Key Concepts
Overview
Carotid endarterectomy ties high-yield nursing judgment to airway, perfusion, infection control, and safe medication administration. CEA removes atherosclerotic plaque from the internal carotid artery to reduce stroke risk in symptomatic high-grade stenosis and selected asymptomatic patients per vascular surgery guidelines. Perioperative threats include stroke/TIA recurrence, cranial nerve injury (hypoglossal, vagus/recurrent laryngeal → hoarseness, facial marginal mandibular branch), neck hematoma with airway compromise, hypertension causing hyperperfusion syndrome, and hypotension causing watershed infarct. Nurses monitor neuro checks (speech, facial symmetry, strength), BP tightly per unit protocol, drain output, swallow before diet advancement, and neck circumference for expanding hematoma. Emergent airway equipment and surgeon notification are rehearsed for stridor or rapid swelling. Postoperative teaching includes wound care, avoiding neck flexion/rotation that stresses the incision, antiplatelet adherence, and TIA warning return precautions. Cross-link US RN lessons hub · Canada RN lessons hub and related LESSON cards where the stem crosses systems. Pathophysiology in plain language. Think in layers: cells → organs → whole-person compensation. When a stem describes acute change (fever, pain, new neuro deficit, hypoxia, hypotension), ask what system is failing to compensate...