Question

A patient who is scheduled for surgery with general anesthesia in one hour is observed with a moist, but empty, water glass in his or her hand. Which assessment finding may indicate that the patient drank a glass of water?

Answer 1

If a pre-operative patient is observed with a moist, empty water glass, the healthcare team must look for signs of water consumption as this can cause complications under general anesthesia due to an increased risk of aspiration when relaxed muscles suppress normal reflexes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing whether a patient has consumed water prior to surgery with general anesthesia is critical due to the risk of aspiration. If a patient with a scheduled surgery and general anesthesia is found with a moist, empty water glass, the healthcare team, which includes the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, must look for signs of water consumption, which can lead to complications under anesthesia.

Signs may include physical evidence such as a wet mouth or lips, observations of the patient such as burping or a sense of fullness, and verbal confirmation. Before induction, it is confirmed that the patient's airway and risk of aspiration are evaluated, and that the patient has not consumed any food or liquids as dictated by pre-operative instructions. The main concern with the ingestion of water right before anesthesia is the increased risk of aspiration during the procedure when muscles are relaxed, and the normal reflexes are suppressed.