Name a post-procedure instruction for patients after an endoscopy.

Name a post-procedure instruction for patients after an endoscopy.

• A. Resume normal activities immediately
• B. Avoid eating or drinking until recovering from sedation
• C. Drive home alone after the procedure
• D. Take pain medication for discomfort

Answer: (B)

The correct response emphasizes the importance of ensuring patient safety following sedation during an endoscopy. After the procedure, patients are often sedated, which can impair their ability to swallow or coordinate their movements effectively. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid eating or drinking until the effects of sedation have fully worn off. This helps to prevent the risk of aspiration, choking, or any complications associated with impaired swallowing reflexes. In contrast, resuming normal activities immediately may not account for lingering effects of sedation, which could pose a risk to the patient's safety. Driving home alone is also discouraged as it can be dangerous if the patient is still feeling the effects of sedation. While taking pain medication is sometimes advised for discomfort, it is not a universal post-procedure instruction and should be followed according to specific medical advice provided by the healthcare team. Thus, avoiding food and drink until recovery is a vital post-procedure instruction for safety.

The correct response emphasizes the importance of ensuring patient safety following sedation during an endoscopy. After the procedure, patients are often sedated, which can impair their ability to swallow or coordinate their movements effectively. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid eating or drinking until the effects of sedation have fully worn off. This helps to prevent the risk of aspiration, choking, or any complications associated with impaired swallowing reflexes.

In contrast, resuming normal activities immediately may not account for lingering effects of sedation, which could pose a risk to the patient's safety. Driving home alone is also discouraged as it can be dangerous if the patient is still feeling the effects of sedation. While taking pain medication is sometimes advised for discomfort, it is not a universal post-procedure instruction and should be followed according to specific medical advice provided by the healthcare team. Thus, avoiding food and drink until recovery is a vital post-procedure instruction for safety.