Preoperative Fasting Guidelines for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

A 55-year-old female patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to complications from gallstones. As the nurse, you need to ensure pre-operative safety and psychological readiness. Prior to the procedure, it is essential to verify specific aspects of the patient's health and understanding.

One crucial aspect involves the patient's knowledge of the procedure and any potential risks. Fill in the blank to indicate the recommended amount of time for the patient to refrain from consuming solid food prior to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy: ___ hours.