How to remove surgical staples after surgery (nursing): This video will demonstrate the steps on how to properly remove surgical staples on a patient who has had surgery. Can nurses remove staples? Yes, this is a skill I've done several times as an RN.

Is there pain for the patient when surgical staples are removed? Typically, no this procedure is painless. Most patients may report feeling a "tugging" or slight "pulling" sensation during surgical staple removal.

Supplies needed for removing surgical staples are: a staple remover (this will extract the staples), gauze, antiseptic to clean the surgical site before and after removal, gloves (follow your hospital protocol because some facilities require nurses to wear sterile gloves during this procedure, while others only require clean gloves), and steri-strips.

How to Remove Surgical Staples:

First, verify the physician's order. You must have a physician’s order before removing surgical staples. Be sure to pay close attention to what the order says in regard to if all the staples need to be removed or if only every other staple needs to be removed.

Explain the procedure to the patient, and obtain verbal consent from the patient.

Gather supplies.

Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to remove the old dressing (if necessary) and assess the surgical incision. Note any signs of infection or signs that the wound may experience wound dehiscence during staple removal....notify physician before removing staples if this is present.

Doff gloves, perform hand hygiene, and set-up supplies (a dressing change tray is a great kit available that contains most of the supplies needed to remove staples).

Don sterile gloves and clean surgical site with antiseptic (let site dry).

If order says to remove all staples, remove every other staple FIRST, starting at the second staple. While removing each staple, place the staple in a gauze so the staple doesn’t become lost (they are considered sharps item).

Then clean the site of where every staple was removed and let dry.

After letting the site dry, place a steri-strip on each surgical staple site. NOTE: cut the steri-strips so the strip will extend about a 3/4 inch from the incision and place each steri-strip 1/8 inch apart. In addition, DO NOT pull or try to create tension while placing the strips (this can cause a skin tear), but gently secure it on the site of the incision.

Then remove the remaining staples and clean the sites. Allow it to dry and place the remaining steri-strips.

The steri-strips will fall off on their own (about 10 days or so). Tell the patient to NOT remove them.

If the site is prone to friction or excessive moisture, a dressing can be placed, but be sure to educate the patient how to change the dressing regularly.

Notes: http://www.registerednursern.com/remove-surgical-staples/

More Nursing Skills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3M7gHqzSi4&list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUhd_qQYEbp0Eab3uUKhgKb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RegisteredNurseRNs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/registerednursern_com/

Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=registerednursern

Nursing School Supplies: http://www.registerednursern.com/the-ultimate-list-of-nursing-medical-supplies-and-items-a-new-nurse-student-nurse-needs-to-buy/

Popular Playlists:

NCLEX Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWtwCDmLHyX2UeHofCIcgo0
Fluid & Electrolytes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWJSZ9pL8L3Q1dzdlxUzeKv
Nursing Skills: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUhd_qQYEbp0Eab3uUKhgKb
Nursing School Study Tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfWBO40qeDmmaMwMHJEWc9Ms
Nursing School Tips & Questions" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVQok-t1X5ZMGgQr3IMBY9M
Teaching Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUkW_DpJekN_Y0lFkVNFyVF
Types of Nursing Specialties: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfW8dRD72gUFa5W7XdfoxArp
Healthcare Salary Information: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVN0vmEP59Tx2bIaB_3Qhdh
New Nurse Tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVTqH6LIoAD2zROuzX9GXZy
Nursing Career Help: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfVXjptWyvj2sx1k1587B_pj
EKG Teaching Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfU-A9UTclI0tOYrNJ1N5SNt
Dosage & Calculations for Nurses: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfUYdl0TZQ0Tc2-hLlXlHNXq
Diabetes Health Managment: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrdx7rRsKfXtEx17D7zC1efmWIX-iIs9