Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Preoperative Care

A 70-year-old patient with a history of diabetes and hypertension is scheduled for a total knee arthroplasty. The healthcare team consists of an orthopedic surgeon, a nurse anesthetist, a physical therapist, and a diabetes educator. During the preoperative assessment, the nurse must collaborate effectively with each member of this interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care.

To facilitate this collaboration, the nurse must identify the critical elements of care that each team member will provide. One crucial aspect is confirming the patient's blood glucose levels before surgery to prevent surgical complications related to hyperglycemia.

Fill in the blank: The nurse should ensure that the ________ is involved in discussing the patient’s blood glucose management prior to the surgical procedure.