How should the nurse assist a patient recovering from general anesthesia?

Monitoring for airway patency and responsiveness as a patient regains consciousness after general anesthesia is essential for ensuring their safety and comfort. After general anesthesia, patients are at risk for airway obstruction due to sedative effects, residual neuromuscular blockade, or the inability to cough effectively. Nurses should be vigilant in assessing the patient's ability to maintain an open airway and respond to stimuli. This process often involves positioning the patient appropriately, suctioning if necessary, and being ready to provide ventilation assistance if the patient struggles to breathe adequately. Keeping the airway open is a priority in the recovery phase, as it directly impacts the patient’s ability to oxygenate properly and prevent complications.

Other options, while important in the overall recovery process, do not represent the immediate priority in the context of post-anesthesia care. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing is beneficial for lung expansion and preventing atelectasis but should occur after ensuring the patient's airway is secure. While providing pain management is crucial, it typically follows airway assessment and stabilization. Ensuring that the patient eats and drinks too soon can pose risks such as aspiration, making it important to evaluate their level of consciousness and ability to swallow safely first. Therefore, monitoring airway patency and responsiveness correctly prioritizes the patient’s immediate needs during