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Serum electrolytes: Assess fluid/electrolyte and acid–base balance (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻). While severe cirrhosis can cause hyponatremia, electrolytes are not specific measures of hepatic function.

BUN, Creatinine: Primarily evaluate renal function and drug clearance by the kidneys. Important preoperatively, especially if combined liver-kidney disease is suspected, but these do not measure liver injury.

Serum albumin: A marker of hepatic synthetic function and nutritional status. Useful for chronic liver disease severity, but with a long half-life (~20 days) it’s less sensitive to acute changes and, alone, gives an incomplete picture of preop liver risk.

Disturbed Body Image: Defined as confusion in the mental picture of oneself; commonly shows shame, embarrassment, guilt, or revulsion about appearance.

Fear: Characterized by dread, alarm, or apprehension about threats; the client’s sadness does not primarily indicate fear.

Ineffective Coping: Shown by inability to ask for help, inappropriate defenses, or failure to meet role expectations.

“I cannot eat or drink anything after midnight.” Current ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) guidelines allow clear fluids up to 2 hours before elective surgery and a light meal up to 6 hours before.

“I’m not going to cough after surgery because it might open my incision.” Clients are taught to cough and deep-breathe postoperatively to prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. Nurses also teach splinting the incision with a pillow or hands to support the wound during coughing.

“I might have a stroke if I stop taking my anticoagulant.” Anticoagulants are usually stopped several days before surgery to minimize bleeding risk. The client’s statement reflects misunderstanding of perioperative medication management.

Lectures are passive and may provide too much information at once; they are less practical for brief, preop teaching when the patient needs concise, usable instructions.

Discussion is interactive and good for clarifying questions, but in the ambulatory setting time is limited and patients may not remember verbal details once they leave.

Audiovisuals: Videos can efficiently demonstrate techniques and reinforce key points, but the patient still usually needs a written summary to take home for later reference.

Antacids generally do not increase surgical risk; they are sometimes used preop to reduce gastric acidity/aspiration risk. They are not a primary source of perioperative complications.

Laxatives can cause dehydration or electrolyte disturbances if overused, which may affect anesthesia tolerance, but they are usually less likely than anticoagulants to directly increase surgical risk.

Sedatives: Chronic sedative use poses risks- respiratory depression, interactions, tolerance/withdrawal.