A client scheduled for an ambulatory surgery procedure requiring anest

A client scheduled for an ambulatory surgery procedure requiring anesthetics arrives with a low-grade fever and a productive sough. The postponement of the procedure is most likely a re-sult of the:

1. Client’s increased risk for a respiratory tract infection
2. Possibility of a respiratory complication during anesthesia
3. Increased risk for the client’s infecting staff and other clients
4. Client’s impaired resistance as a result of a respiratory tract infection

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Cough and low-grade fever increases the risk for respiratory complications during anesthesia (e.g., pneumonia and spasm of laryngeal muscles). Although the other options are not incorrect, they do not represent the most likely risk factor that would result in the cancellation of the pro-cedure.