What should a nurse include in the preoperative checklist regarding laboratory tests?

Including the requirement that results must be reviewed before patient acceptance ensures that the healthcare team has all necessary information to assess the patient's readiness for surgery. This step is critical for identifying any potential risks or contraindications based on the patient's laboratory results. By reviewing these tests, the surgical team can make informed decisions about proceeding with the planned procedure.

The value of this choice lies in patient safety and effective surgical planning. Reviewing lab results allows the nurse and the healthcare team to confirm that values are within acceptable ranges or to prepare for any necessary interventions if abnormalities are noted. This practice helps in minimizing intraoperative and postoperative complications.

In contrast, requiring that all tests be run the same day as surgery may not always be practical or necessary since some tests can be performed in advance with results available well ahead of the surgery. Similarly, while it is important for patients to understand the purpose of each test, ensuring that the results are reviewed before the patient is accepted for surgery takes precedence in terms of operational importance. Lastly, while focusing on essential tests is important, the determination of what constitutes "essential" can vary greatly depending on the patient’s condition, surgical procedure, and clinical guidelines, making this option less definitive in a standardized checklist.