The Role of Nurse Anesthetists in Caring for Patients with Autism Undergoing Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64767/trcn.2025.275367Keywords:
nurse anesthetist, autistic, patients, dental treatment, general anesthesiaAbstract
Dental treatment using anasthesia is considered an effective approach for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, as it enables dentists to provide comprehensive and effective dental treatment while reducing the risks associated with treatment resistance. This approach presents a significant challenge for nurse anesthetists because individuals with autism may have impairments in communication, social interaction, and emotional control, and may display aggressive and uncooperative behavior. In addition, autistic patients frequently present with mental and physical comorbidities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and obesity, which may increase the risk of complications following dental treatment. Nurse anesthetists should provide pre-anesthesia care and monitoring both during and after general anesthesia to ensure the safety of the patient and minimize complications following the use of general anesthesia in dental treatment. In addition, nurse anesthetists play a crucial role as nurse practitioners, safety managers, educators, and quality developers of anesthesia services.
This article aims to present knowledge and promote understanding about the definition of autism; the causes and factors contributing to autism; the diagnosis and severity of autism; comorbidities and disorders in autistic individuals; oral health issues in autistic individuals; dental treatment for autistic individuals and its limitations; and complications regarding general anesthesia in autistic individuals in terms of nursing practice, diagnosis, planning, nursing and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the important role of nurse anesthetists in caring for patients with autism undergoing treatment under general anesthesia, with the aim of providing effective anesthesia nursing guidelines based on the nursing process.
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