A patient arrives at the ambulatory surgery center for a scheduled outpatient surgery. Which information is of most concern to the nurse?

• A. The patient has not had outpatient surgery before.
• B. The patient is planning to drive home after surgery.
• C. The patient's insurance does not cover outpatient surgery.
• D. The patient had a glass of water a few hours before arriving.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is safety after ambulatory surgery and anesthesia. After anesthesia and when taking postoperative medications, a patient may be groggy, have slowed reaction time and impaired judgment, plus possible dizziness or nausea. Driving requires full alertness and coordinated actions, so getting behind the wheel too soon can put the patient and others at real risk. That’s why arranging a safe ride home and ensuring the patient meets discharge criteria before leaving the facility is the priority. Other factors, like hesitations about having had outpatient surgery before, insurance coverage, or a small amount of water before arrival, don’t pose the same immediate safety risk for the post-anesthesia period.