What is the primary role of the perioperative nurse during the preoperative phase?

The primary role of the perioperative nurse during the preoperative phase is to assess the patient's readiness for surgery and provide education about the procedure. This phase is crucial as it directly impacts the patient's safety and psychological preparedness for the upcoming surgery. The perioperative nurse conducts comprehensive assessments, which may include reviewing the patient's medical history, performing physical examinations, and checking vital signs.

Additionally, the nurse plays a vital role in educating the patient about what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, including discussing preoperative instructions and answering any questions or concerns the patient may have. This education helps to alleviate anxiety, promotes compliance with preoperative preparations, and enhances overall patient satisfaction.

In contrast, administering anesthesia and sedation is typically within the scope of the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist's responsibilities, rather than the perioperative nurse. Preparing the operating room with sterile instruments is an essential task, but it falls under the duties of a surgical technologist or another member of the surgical team rather than the primary focus of the perioperative nurse in the preoperative phase. Assisting the surgeon during the operation is also significant but pertains to the intraoperative phase of nursing, not the preoperative phase. Therefore, the role of assessing and educating the patient