Your patient is excited for surgery right before you give them Versed; the patient begins slurring words and they no longer want surgery. You are certain he wants surgery and has already signed the consent forms. What do you do?

Due to a character limit on our interview questions, we had to limit the above interview question. Here is the full interview question: 'You see your patient in preop for routine surgery. Your patient is excited for his surgery and has no reservations about surgery or anesthesia. After you give Versed, which produces an effect similar to inebriation, your patient begins to slur his words and says he no longer wants to go for surgery. He doesn't provide a reason. You are certain that he actually wants surgery and has already signed the consent forms for anesthesia and surgery. What do you do?'

Although Versed's effects are similar to alcohol and it is likely that the patient truly wants to go forward with surgery, he has the right to revoke his consent at any time and this must be honored even if there is question about his mental status at the time of revocation.