Cervical plexus block for carotid endarterectomy: a nursing care plan.

Historically, carotid surgery is identified in the operating room as a major surgical procedure. Although the surgical intervention remains the same, a regional anesthetic technique calls upon perioperative nurses to utilize their assessment and planning skills astutely preparing innovative nursing interventions that enable successful patient outcomes. The key to a successful nursing care plan for a carotid endarterectomy performed under cervical plexus block is an awareness of the patient's physiological needs as well as the environmental influences they may be experiencing. As the administration of regional anesthesia for major surgery become more prevalent, there is a resurgent demand for traditional holistic nursing interventions in the operating room. The perioperative nurse must couple technical expertise with intuitive assessment skills and administration of compassionate nursing care.