A preoperative patient in the holding area asks the nurse, Will the doctor put me to sleep with a mask over my face? The most appropriate response by the nurse is

• A. A drug will be given to you through your IV line, which will cause you to go to sleep almost immediately.
• B. Only your surgeon can tell you for sure what method of anesthesia will be used. Should I ask your surgeon?
• C. General anesthesia is now given by injecting medication into your veins, so you will not need a mask over your face.
• D. Masks are not used anymore for anesthesia. A tube will be inserted into your throat to deliver a gas that will put you to sleep.

Answer: (A)

When anesthesia is started, many patients are induced with a fast-acting drug given through an IV, which makes you lose consciousness quickly. That direct IV induction is why the nurse’s answer focuses on an IV injection rather than a mask delivering gas. It provides a simple, truthful explanation that addresses the concern about being put to sleep with a mask and sets the expectation that sleep will occur rapidly once the IV drug takes effect.

The exact plan depends on your health and the procedure, and the anesthesia team will confirm the method with you. If you’re uneasy about any method, you can discuss preferences with your anesthesia provider, but IV induction is a common, safety-facilitating way to start anesthesia.