You being a night duty doctor posted in surgical ward,senoir resident tells you to keep 40yr old man posted for elective cholecystectomy to be nil/oral, how many hours prior to surgery will you advised to patient to have light food …?

**Core Concept**
The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends that patients undergoing elective surgeries be instructed to avoid solid foods for a specific period before surgery to minimize the risk of aspiration. This recommendation is based on the understanding that solid foods take longer to digest and are more likely to cause aspiration than liquids.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is based on the recommendation that patients should avoid solid foods for at least 6 hours before surgery. This allows sufficient time for the stomach to empty and reduces the risk of aspiration. The American Society of Anesthesiologists provides guidelines for fasting times, which are as follows: 2 hours for clear liquids, 6 hours for light meals, and 8 hours for solid meals.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** 4 hours - This is too short a time for a light meal to be digested, increasing the risk of aspiration.
**Option B:** 12 hours - This is longer than necessary for a light meal, and the patient may be unnecessarily restricted.
**Option C:** 2 hours - This is the recommended fasting time for clear liquids, not light meals.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to note that the fasting time may be adjusted based on the patient's individual circumstances, such as the type of surgery, the patient's overall health, and the presence of any gastrointestinal disorders.

**Correct Answer:** C. 6 hours.

✓ Correct Answer: B. 6 hours