What should preoperative teaching include for patients?

Preoperative teaching is crucial for preparing patients for surgery and helping them understand what to expect during the entire surgical process. Including surgical preparation and what to expect addresses several key areas: it informs patients about the specific procedure they will undergo, outlines the anticipated recovery process, and provides information on how to manage preoperative routines, such as fasting instructions and medication management. This comprehensive understanding can significantly reduce anxiety and improve cooperation during the perioperative period.

While other topics like diet plans, physical therapy details, and medication interactions may be relevant after the surgery or in a broader context of patient care, the immediate focus of preoperative teaching is to ensure that the patient feels prepared and informed specifically regarding the surgical event itself. This helps to foster a sense of control and readiness as they approach their surgery, making option C the most appropriate choice for preoperative patient education.