PTSD: Anesthesia Considerations for the Patient With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological condition identified in combat veterans and individuals who have experienced natural or manmade disasters or other traumatic experiences. PTSD is known to increase a patient's risk of emergence delirium after undergoing general anesthesia. While this is well known by certified registered nurse anesthetists in practice, particularly those in military hospitals, recommendations for anesthetic management of patients with PTSD is notably lacking. The aim of this article is to provide anesthesia considerations synthesized from available literature. At the conclusion of this article, the reader will be able to incorporate evidence-based practice guidelines to care for patients from the preoperative period through the postanesthesia care unit stay.