title: Pre-operative anxiety and serum potassium.
abstract: Small decreases in serum potassium in a study of 200 pre-operative patients were demonstrated in those who had an increase in anxiety, as measured on a linear analogue anxiety scale, in the 24 hours before anaesthesia. The possible aetiology and implications of this change are discussed. The combination of temazepam and a pre-operative visit by the anaesthetist effectively reduced pre-anaesthetic anxiety in 60% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Craigavon Area Hospital, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: McCleane
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Watters
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000523:psychology*; D013693:Temazepam; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013693:Temazepam; D011188:Potassium