How should a nurse manage a patient’s medications to avoid interactions during surgery?

Managing a patient’s medications to avoid interactions during surgery involves a thorough and collaborative approach. The correct response emphasizes the importance of reviewing the patient's medication list and communicating effectively with the surgical team. This step is crucial because it allows the healthcare providers to identify potential drug interactions, ensure that any necessary adjustments are made prior to surgery, and plan for appropriate management of the patient's medications during and after the surgical procedure.

By reviewing the medication list, the nurse can ascertain which medications may pose risks of interaction with anesthetics or other medications administered during surgery. Communication with the surgical team is equally important, as it fosters a coordinated approach to medication management that takes into account the patient's entire treatment plan, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care.

In contrast, discontinuing all medications before surgery is not a safe or effective strategy, as many medications may be essential for the patient's underlying conditions and stopping them abruptly could lead to withdrawal or exacerbation of health issues. Encouraging the patient to self-manage their medications may lead to inconsistencies or errors, particularly in the context of surgery where specific protocols must be followed. Lastly, administering medications without consultation undermines patient safety and could lead to adverse events during the surgical process.

Thus, the best practice involves careful evaluation