Final answer:
A surgical patient must be examined within 24 hours before anesthesia is administered to ensure patient safety and procedural success. Essential checks include confirming the patient's identity, surgical site, and procedure, and administering prophylactic antibiotics if needed. These preparations help to mitigate the risks associated with general anesthesia and necessary airway management.
Step-by-step explanation:
A surgical patient must be examined within 24 hours before anesthesia is administered. This is crucial to ensure the safety of the patient and the success of the surgical procedure. Before induction of anesthesia, team members including the nurse and anesthesia professional must orally confirm the patient's identity, the surgical site, procedure, and that all essential imaging results are displayed. A key part of the preoperative checklist is to confirm that prophylactic antibiotics have been administered at least 60 minutes before an incision is made if they are indicated. Furthermore, the team must go through a 'time out' before skin incision to review aloud the key concerns for the recovery and care of the patient, including anticipated critical events and any team concerns specific to the patient.
Understanding the effects of general anesthesia on the muscles of respiration and the use of endotracheal intubation provides context to the preoperative evaluation's importance. Complications can be avoided by ensuring that the patient's airway will be secured effectively via intubation. After the surgical procedure is complete, the patient will gradually wake up and regain control of their respiratory muscles.