The most common reason for patients rating anesthesia with etomidate as unsatisfactory is which?

The most common reason for patients rating anesthesia with etomidate as unsatisfactory is which?

• A. Postoperative nausea and vomiting
• B. Pain on injection
• C. Recall of intubation
• D. Myoclonus

Answer: (A)

Postoperative nausea and vomiting often has the biggest impact on how patients judge their anesthesia experience, more so than what happens during induction. Etomidate can cause several side effects, such as pain on injection and myoclonus, which are unpleasant but tend to be transient and occur around induction. Recall of intubation is rare with proper dosing. However, lingering nausea and vomiting after surgery directly affects comfort, ability to eat, and overall recovery, making it the most influential factor in unsatisfactory ratings. Managing PONV with proactive antiemetic strategies can significantly improve patient satisfaction with anesthesia using etomidate.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting often has the biggest impact on how patients judge their anesthesia experience, more so than what happens during induction. Etomidate can cause several side effects, such as pain on injection and myoclonus, which are unpleasant but tend to be transient and occur around induction. Recall of intubation is rare with proper dosing. However, lingering nausea and vomiting after surgery directly affects comfort, ability to eat, and overall recovery, making it the most influential factor in unsatisfactory ratings. Managing PONV with proactive antiemetic strategies can significantly improve patient satisfaction with anesthesia using etomidate.