Preoperative Education & Patient Selection Flashcards
7 cards from real CBE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Preoperative Education & Patient Selection flashcards as text
Which preoperative laboratory workup is most critical for identifying nutritional deficiencies before bariatric surgery?
Answer: Comprehensive nutritional panel including vitamins and minerals
A comprehensive nutritional panel detects existing deficiencies that must be corrected preoperatively to prevent worsening after surgery alters absorption.
How far in advance of bariatric surgery should a patient ideally achieve smoking cessation?
Answer: At least 4–8 weeks before surgery, ideally 6 months
Smoking cessation at least 4–8 weeks before surgery significantly reduces risks of pulmonary complications, anastomotic leaks, and impaired wound healing.
Which patient behavior is the best indicator of readiness for bariatric surgery?
Answer: Demonstrating consistent dietary changes and full attendance at preoperative visits
Consistent behavioral changes prior to surgery are the strongest predictor of long-term postoperative compliance and successful weight management.
What is the primary purpose of the preoperative low-calorie liquid diet typically prescribed 2–4 weeks before bariatric surgery?
Answer: To reduce liver size and improve laparoscopic surgical access
A low-calorie liquid diet reduces hepatic steatosis, shrinking the enlarged fatty liver and improving the surgeon's laparoscopic access to the stomach.
When educating a patient about dumping syndrome preoperatively, which key message should be emphasized?
Answer: It can be minimized by eating small, frequent meals and avoiding high-sugar foods
Dietary modifications—small frequent meals and avoidance of high-sugar, high-fat foods—significantly reduce the frequency and severity of dumping syndrome.
Which statement most accurately describes informed consent for bariatric surgery?
Answer: Informed consent must include risks, benefits, alternatives, and realistic expected outcomes
Complete informed consent requires that patients understand and acknowledge the procedure's risks, benefits, alternatives, and realistic expectations before agreeing to surgery.
What role does the bariatric educator play in helping patients navigate insurance authorization?
Answer: The educator helps patients gather required documentation such as diet records and medical history
While educators do not make insurance decisions, they assist patients in understanding requirements and compiling necessary documentation to support authorization requests.