Question

When interviewing a patient and he/she tells the RN that a meal was eaten after midnight, what would be the first thing the RN should do?

a) bring the patient in the room so the operation may begin as scheduled
b) notify the surgeon and the anesthesiologist
c) notify the nurse manager or team leader covering that room
d) notify the nurse manager/team leader, surgeon, and the anesthesiologist
e) tell the patient that the surgery is cancelled

Answer 1

The RN should promptly notify the surgeon and the anesthesiologist upon learning that a patient has eaten after midnight prior to surgery. The situation must be reviewed as part of surgical safety protocols to ensure patient safety due to the risks associated with anesthesia.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient informs the RN that a meal was eaten after midnight, before surgery, the first thing the RN should do is notify the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. It is crucial to ensure patient safety as food in the stomach can increase the risk for aspiration during anesthesia. The surgical team, including the nurse manager or team leader, surgeon, and anesthesiologist, should review the situation to decide whether to proceed with the operation or reschedule it. This decision is part of the standard surgical safety protocol which includes a 'time out' to confirm critical information before the surgery begins. Additionally, during the 'sign in' phase, essential details such as induction of anesthesia and prophylactic antibiotics administration are confirmed.

Ensuring the recovery and care of the patient are paramount, and as such, any deviations from the pre-operative instructions must be carefully evaluated by the surgical team. Thus, the correct action would be option b) notify the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.