A patient who is alcohol-intoxicated must undergo emergency surgery for abdominal trauma. The nurse anticipates that during the perioperative period, the patient

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Patients who are intoxicated at the time of surgery are at increased risk for problems with bleeding and respiratory complications such as aspiration. In an intoxicated patient, a lower dose of anesthesia is used because of the synergistic effect of the alcohol. Withdrawal is likely to occur later in the postoperative course because the medications used for anesthesia, sedation, and pain will delay withdrawal symptoms. The patient should be monitored frequently for oversedation but does not need to be stimulated.

A Patient Who Is Alcohol-Intoxicated Must Undergo Emergency Surgery for Abdominal