PreOp labs

[Lisa01]

When checking in a patient, what kind of abnormal lab values could lead to the surgery being canceled?

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Elevated WBC, PTT, low H/H....

Low electrolytes could postpone it until corrected.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Think of the complications associated with most surgeries; bleeding, infection, etc. So you might see surgery cancelled in patients who are already compromised in those areas as shown by their abnormal labs.

[Jgivens]

Where I work, we frequently cancel surgery or scopes because of high INRs. Patients often times forget to stop taking Coumadin, and they then present as a bleeding risk.

We do urine pregnancy tests on any female of childbearing age who still has a menstrual period and has not had a tubal. All other labs are done if the patient has specific conditions that warrant them or is having symptoms when they come to the preop area.