Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

True or False: Patients taking herbal medications may face adverse effects during general anesthesia.

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on the medication

4. Only in specific cases

The correct answer is: True

The statement that patients taking herbal medications may face adverse effects during general anesthesia is indeed true. Many herbal supplements can interact with anesthetic agents or other medications used in the perioperative setting. For instance, certain herbs such as garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba can have blood-thinning effects, potentially increasing the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery. Others may impact liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing anesthetics, leading to altered drug effects or increased side effects. Additionally, some herbal medications can cause sedation or affect heart rate and blood pressure, complicating anesthesia management. Given these potential interactions, it's crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of any herbal medications a patient may be using prior to surgery. This awareness ensures appropriate precautions are taken to mitigate risks associated with their use during anesthesia. Hence, the correct answer reflects the inherent risk posed by herbal medications in the context of general anesthesia.