Why is it important to be NBM before surgery?

Evidence-based pre-operative fasting is a medical and legal requirement to maintain patient safety. Unless it is for emergency surgery, patients should not be given an anaesthetic without a period of being NBM; this reduces the risk of pulmonary aspiration if gastric contents are regurgitated.

What is the purpose of Nil By Mouth?

‘Nil By Mouth’ (NBM) orders may be instituted for many reasons including reduced consciousness, unsafe swallowing reflex (e.g. bulbar palsy, nasopharyngeal disease), to rest the gut, prior to or after anaesthesia (±surgery) or as a result of the surgery itself.

What was the benefit of the nothing by mouth order?

Purpose. The typical reason for NPO instructions is the prevention of aspiration pneumonia, e.g. in those who will undergo general anesthesia, or those with weak swallowing musculature, or in case of gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal blockage, or acute pancreatitis.

What happens if you drink water before oral surgery?

Take any medications as you normally would, but try to only have a small sip of water. By fasting you minimize the risk for a rare, but very serious potential anesthesia complication known as aspiration, which causes the lungs to fill with the contents of your stomach.

Why are patients nil by mouth after surgery?

Post-operatively, patients may remain NBM for several hours or longer and be prone to xerostomia due to dehydration, oxygen therapy and side-effects of the anaesthetic. They will need frequent oral care (Bisset and Preshaw, 2011).

What are the risks of prolonged fasting for the patient?

Prolonged fasting can raise the risk of an attack in people with gout [5]. Fasting can quickly result in dehydration and the need for fluid replacement during anesthesia in addition to increasing the potential for replacing blood lost during the surgical procedure [6].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFrTKRWpvFA