Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

A known allergy to anesthetic agents used for the procedure is a critical contraindication for performing surgery under general anesthesia. Allergic reactions can lead to severe complications, including anaphylaxis, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular collapse, which can endanger the patient's life during surgery.

It is crucial for healthcare providers to assess any history of allergic responses to anesthetics to ensure patient safety. If a patient has a documented allergy to a specific anesthetic agent or components of the anesthetic regimen, this can dictate a change in the surgical approach, potentially opting for alternative methods that do not carry the same risk.

In contrast, a patient’s preference for local anesthesia does not inherently contraindicate the use of general anesthesia as it is a matter of choice rather than safety. Similarly, a stable preoperative assessment and a history of successful previous surgeries are both indicators of a patient’s potential for undergoing surgery, rather than contraindications. The condition of having successful prior surgeries may actually suggest a favorable surgical outcome, while a stable preoperative assessment indicates that the patient is fit for a surgical procedure.