Felicia Vaughn, RN; Harriet Wichowski, RN; Gerry Bosworth, RN

Preoperative anxiety is recognized regularly during patient assess- ments, and varying levels of anxi- ety exist from patient to patient. Typical anxiety before surgery comes from fear of the unknown; however, higher-than- normal levels of anxiety may be over- looked or discounted by caregivers in the preoperative area.

Research has shown that preopera- tive anxiety affects patients on both a physiological and a psychological level.1 Anxiety can alter the way a per- son thinks, feels, and acts. On a physio- logical level, anxiety can alter a pa- tient’s vital signs. This may be the first indication to a nurse in the preoperative area that a patient is experiencing sig- nificant anxiety. Anxiety also may be re- sponsible for cognitive and behavioral changes. Psychological changes are in- dividualized and reflect a person’s baseline personality.1