Pre-operative assessment
General health and fitness can decline because of
reduced mobility and increasing disability, resulting
in muscle weakness and loss of function by the
time patients are admitted to hospital for surgery
(McMeeken and Galea 2007). Pre-operative preparation
should begin when the patient is placed on the
surgical waiting list. While it is often difficult for
patients to exercise, it is important that appropriate
information and advice is provided to assist with
maintaining or improving health before surgery.
Nurses in primary care are ideally placed to
assess the physical, psychological and social
preparation of patients before admission to hospital
(Lucas 2008