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History: medications, allergies, prior anesthetic experiences (especially difficult airway or malignant hyperthermia)
NPO (nil per os) guidelines: "2-4-6-8" rule
Identifying high-risk patients: cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic disease
Informed consent for anesthesia
Case Study
A 52-year-old man has had progressive knee pain with swelling, and a Baker cyst just behind his right knee. Recently, the pain has increased in intensity, and has kept him from sleeping at night. His orthopedic surgeon has tentatively diagnosed a torn meniscus, and recommended an arthroscopy as an outpatient. The patient has had no major illnesses other than the typical childhood diseases. He has had no previous operations or anesthetics, nor a family history of problems with anesthesia. He has no allergies to medications, does not smoke, and consumes alcohol occasionally at social events. His laboratory results and physical examination by an internist were all normal. He has had nothing to eat or drink since he went to bed last night. On examination, the patient weighs 160 lb and is 5 ft, 8 in tall. His neck appears to be supple and mobile. He opens his mouth without difficulty, and with his head extended and tongue protruding, his uvula is completely visible.
How are a patient's general medical condition, and his risk for difficult airway management classified?
Answer