When does the perioperative period start and end for a patient?

The perioperative period encompasses the entire surgical experience for a patient, which includes the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. This period begins once the patient is informed of the need for surgery, as it marks the beginning of the patient's preparation and planning for the procedure. It ends with discharge from the hospital, as this signifies the patient's initial recovery and transition back to their normal routines. This comprehensive view takes into account not only the surgical procedure itself but also the essential preoperative assessments, patient education, and postoperative care and recovery.

In comparison, other options describe narrower segments of the perioperative experience. For instance, stating that it starts in the holding area and ends in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) focuses only on the intraoperative and immediate postoperative periods. Similarly, indicating that it starts when the patient arrives at the hospital and ends with discharge does not account for the critical preoperative aspects involved in surgery readiness. Lastly, the option mentioning the return to usual activities does not precisely define the perioperative period's end, as patients may not be fully recovered or cleared for normal activities at the point of hospital discharge.