A surgically planned incision on the perineum is :

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Ahmedabad-2015

Explanation

An episiotomy is the medical term for a surgical incision made on the perineum.
This procedure is performed during the second stage of labor to enlarge the vaginal outlet.
Its purpose is to facilitate the delivery of the baby, prevent extensive, jagged perineal tears, and expedite birth if there is fetal or maternal distress.

Option A: Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, not an incision on the perineum.
Option C: Suction evacuation is a procedure to empty the contents of the uterus using suction.
Option D: Dilatation and evacuation (D&E) involves dilating the cervix and removing uterine contents with surgical instruments.

Visual 1: Diagram - An illustration showing the location of a mediolateral and a median episiotomy on the perineum, clarifying the anatomical site of the incision.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Obstetric and Gynecological Surgical Procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in post-episiotomy care, focusing on pain management, infection prevention, and patient education to promote healing and comfort.
Assessing the episiotomy site for redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA scale) is a standard nursing practice to monitor healing.
What if? If a patient develops a fever and purulent discharge from the episiotomy site 48 hours postpartum, the priority nursing action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. This indicates a likely wound infection that requires prompt medical evaluation and antibiotic treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question: 'surgically planned incision' and 'perineum'.
Next, review the definitions of each option provided.
Hysterectomy involves the uterus, not just the perineum.
Suction evacuation and Dilatation and Evacuation are procedures to empty the uterus.
Episiotomy specifically refers to an incision of the perineum.
By matching the keywords from the question to the definitions, you can determine that 'Episiotomy' is the correct term.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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