NCLEX-RN practice › Reduction of Risk Potential
NCLEX question: which home medications to stop before surgery (SATA)
Reduction of Risk Potential · Select all that apply · Clinical judgment step: Generate solutions
Client record
Home medications
| Medication | Dose |
|---|---|
| Warfarin | 5 mg daily (atrial fibrillation) |
| Metformin | 1000 mg twice daily |
| Insulin glargine | 30 units at bedtime |
| Metoprolol succinate | 50 mg daily |
| Atorvastatin | 20 mg daily |
| Ginkgo biloba | 120 mg daily |
A client is scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery in 7 days. The nurse reviews the home medication list at the preoperative visit. Which medications should the nurse expect the provider to address with specific stop or adjust instructions before surgery? Select all that apply.
- A. Metformin
- B. Metoprolol succinate
- C. Atorvastatin
- D. Ginkgo biloba
- E. Insulin glargine
- F. Warfarin
Show the answer and rationales
Answer: A, D, E, F
Before surgery: anticoagulants and herbal products with bleeding risk are stopped, metformin is held, and basal insulin is reduced. Beta blockers and statins are continued.
- A. Correct. Usually held on the day of surgery because of lactic acidosis risk with fasting and contrast.
- B. Incorrect. Beta blockers are continued, including on the day of surgery; stopping causes rebound tachycardia and ischaemia.
- C. Incorrect. Statins are continued perioperatively.
- D. Correct. Ginkgo increases bleeding risk and is usually stopped before surgery.
- E. Correct. Basal insulin is usually reduced (often to about 75–80%) the night before to prevent hypoglycemia while fasting.
- F. Correct. Usually stopped about 5 days before major surgery, with a decision about bridging.
Scoring: select all that apply items on the Next Generation NCLEX use plus/minus scoring. You gain a point for each correct option you choose and lose a point for each incorrect one, with a minimum of zero. This item is worth 4 points.
Practise more NCLEX questions like this, free →
10 free questions a day, with rationales. Unlimited with a weekly or monthly pass.
More NCLEX practice questions
- NCLEX question: concealed bleeding after hip surgery
- NCLEX question: dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (SATA)
- NCLEX question: posterior hip replacement precautions (SATA)
- NCLEX question: rising PaCO2 in an asthma attack
- NCLEX question: amiodarone monitoring (SATA)
- NCLEX newborn question: calculate the Apgar score
All Reduction of Risk Potential questions → · NCLEX-RN practice hub →
NCLEX® and NCLEX-RN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). RecallMed is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, NCSBN or any board of nursing. All questions are original, written and reviewed for exam practice, and do not come from any NCLEX exam. They are not a substitute for your nursing education or clinical guidelines.