Why are patients scheduled for operation not allowed to eat?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it because to avoid defecation during operation? Because this morning, an ORIF operation was postponed because the patient kept on defecating. What are other reasons behind this?:confused::confused::confused: Thanks!

Specializes in Med Surg.

As long as we are on the subject of NPO for surgery, I have a question that has bugged me for years. Why is the time the patient starts NPO always start at midnight? If the surgery is scheuled for 0600. we put them NPO at midnight. If the surgery is scheduled for 1600, we put them NPO at midnight. So why is it okay for the 0600 surgery to be NPO for only 6 hours while the 1600 surgery has to go for 16 hours with no food or water? This seems to hold no matter what the surgery is or whether it is in-patient or out-patient.

It seems like we are punishing the patient because of the surgery schedule. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Agree with previous posts that saying things like, "this thread saddens me due to X,Y,Z", is just mean. It's divisive. If it "saddens" anyone, then bypass the thread. Offering support is our mission here at allnurses.com. Students come to the general nsg threads sometimes to get our expert opinions (most student inquires are moved to the appropriate student forum, but this thread was an exception). Some members are brand new nurses and think that coming here they can get answers to questions w/o judgment (and, we all know a lot of members chastise them in public for asking questions - that's just downright mean).

When posts appear that are just divisive/mean/inflammatory, it embarrasses members (new and old - nursing student and seasoned nurse) and makes them NOT want to come back.

So, if you can't say anything nice on this thread, then don't say anything at all.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
As long as we are on the subject of NPO for surgery, I have a question that has bugged me for years. Why is the time the patient starts NPO always start at midnight? If the surgery is scheuled for 0600. we put them NPO at midnight. If the surgery is scheduled for 1600, we put them NPO at midnight. So why is it okay for the 0600 surgery to be NPO for only 6 hours while the 1600 surgery has to go for 16 hours with no food or water? This seems to hold no matter what the surgery is or whether it is in-patient or out-patient.

It seems like we are punishing the patient because of the surgery schedule. Any thoughts?

Any facility that doesn't do "NPO 8 hours" but instead picks an arbitrary time is not following evidence-based practice or the guidelines established by the American anesthesiology association.

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As long as we are on the subject of NPO for surgery, I have a question that has bugged me for years. Why is the time the patient starts NPO always start at midnight? If the surgery is scheuled for 0600. we put them NPO at midnight. If the surgery is scheduled for 1600, we put them NPO at midnight. So why is it okay for the 0600 surgery to be NPO for only 6 hours while the 1600 surgery has to go for 16 hours with no food or water? This seems to hold no matter what the surgery is or whether it is in-patient or out-patient.

It seems like we are punishing the patient because of the surgery schedule. Any thoughts?

And on another similar note, why aren't patients allowed to have water the entire time? It takes minutes for it to pass through the stomach. Especially for things like stress tests... Does it have to do with secreted enzymes/gastric juices/etc?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
And on another similar note, why aren't patients allowed to have water the entire time? It takes minutes for it to pass through the stomach. Especially for things like stress tests... Does it have to do with secreted enzymes/gastric juices/etc?

Basically, yes. Patients that are NPO for surgery shouldn't even chew gum or suck on hard candy, since those things also stimulate stomach acid production/secretion.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

Another aspect of the frequent stool problem; open reduction internal fixation is open orthopedic surgery, and asepsis is particularly strict in orths. Contamination can lead to infection within the bone itself, which is extremely difficult to treat, apart from being very dangerous for the patient.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

i really think this is nursing 101, and it saddens me too that a nurse had to ask it.

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My heavens...read all the posts!! She's a student...and either way, she didn't know the answer. It would "sadden" me if she felt like she couldn't ask ANY valid question on this board...that's why a lot of us are here! Sheesh!!:rolleyes:

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It kind of saddens me that nurses or future nurses have to defend themselves when asking a question.

Yes... a nurse should know some of the answers to that question about loose stools and surgery. BUT this site should be support for questions in a positive manner without making anyone feel bad.

I have read so many threads on nurses eating their young, not supporting each other etc... Saying "If you are a nurse, this thread saddens me"... to a new grad or someone who just thought there might be other reasons unknown to her may make that nurse uncomfortable to ask questions in the future. I'm glad it was a future nurse who asked this so they weren't ridiculed for it.

Let's all help each other out, not make them feel bad for asking.

I totally agree!! Sometimes our brains freeze or we forget or misplace information. I learned a long time just double check if there is the slighest inkling of doubt. Better ask a dumb question (yes some of them are) and avoid a mistake instead of just guessing.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

OK guys, lets get this back on topic.

I know this is UK guidance which gives evidence based information for pre-operative fasting. If you look at page 15 of the document you'll find the rationale for fasting.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/78669/002779.pdf

Preoperative fasting for adults to prevent perioperative complications

General anaesthetic reduces reflexes that stop regurgitated gastric juices reaching the lungs. As this can be dangerous, people are often advised to have nothing to eat or drink from the midnight before surgery. However, the review of trials found that drinking clear fluids up to a few hours before surgery did not increase the risk of regurgitation during or after surgery. Some people are considered more likely to regurgitate under anaesthetic, including those who are pregnant, elderly, obese or have stomach disorders. More research is needed to determine whether these people can also safely drink up to a few hours before surgery.

Preoperative fasting for adults to prevent perioperative complications

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As long as we are on the subject of NPO for surgery, I have a question that has bugged me for years. Why is the time the patient starts NPO always start at midnight? If the surgery is scheuled for 0600. we put them NPO at midnight. If the surgery is scheduled for 1600, we put them NPO at midnight. So why is it okay for the 0600 surgery to be NPO for only 6 hours while the 1600 surgery has to go for 16 hours with no food or water? This seems to hold no matter what the surgery is or whether it is in-patient or out-patient.

It seems like we are punishing the patient because of the surgery schedule. Any thoughts?

That's on the doctor. For afternoon surgeries, some doctors will order NPO after breakfast, or maybe after a clear liquid breakfast or a light breakfast, or NPO after a specific time in the morning.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Note that the OP is not a RN she is a student, and with that out of the way

Please post on topic, off topic posts will be removed.

This thread is about why patients need to be NPO pre-operatively, if your not going to contribute to that discussion then refrain from posting

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