During which phase of recovery is emergence delirium most likely to occur?

Emergence delirium is most likely to occur during the immediate postoperative period as this is when the patient begins to regain consciousness after anesthesia. During this phase, a patient may experience confusion, agitation, or disorientation as they awaken from the effects of anesthetic drugs. Factors contributing to emergence delirium include the types of anesthesia used, the patient's individual responses to medication, the duration of surgery, and postoperative pain or discomfort.

In contrast, the preoperative phase is focused on preparation for surgery, and the intraoperative phase pertains to the conduct of the surgical procedure itself, neither of which are directly associated with the recovery and awakening processes. After hospital discharge typically follows stabilization and the resolution of immediate postoperative effects, reducing the likelihood of experiences such as emergence delirium at that stage. This context highlights why the immediate postoperative period is specifically critical for the risk of emergence delirium.