The anesthesiologist should be notified of the patient’s intake during the period in which the patient should have been NPO. The patient is at risk for vomiting and aspirating while anesthetized. The nurse cannot simply document the patient’s comment (although it should be documented as well) because the patient’s safety is at risk. The surgery is unlikely to be pushed back; however, it may be completely rescheduled. The nurse should remind the patient of the importance of following preoperative instructions, but this does not address the current situation.