Question

Prior to anesthesia for cesarean section delivery, the mother may be given an antacid or a gastric antisecretory drug (histamine receptor antagonist). State the reasons these drugs are given.

A) To induce uterine contractions and reduce bleeding during surgery
B) To prevent maternal hypertension and promote fetal heart rate stability
C) To reduce the risk of maternal aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia
D) To minimize the risk of postpartum infection and promote wound healing

Answer 1

Prior to cesarean section, antacids or histamine receptor antagonists are given to reduce the risk of maternal aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia by neutralizing excess stomach acid or reducing its production (Option C).

Step-by-step explanation:

Prior to anesthesia for a cesarean section delivery, the mother may be given an antacid or a gastric antisecretory drug, such as a histamine receptor antagonist, to reduce the risk of maternal aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia.

This is because the stomach sometimes produces excess hydrochloric acid (HCl), which may lead to heartburn or other discomforts. Antacids are substances used to neutralize the excess HCl in the stomach.

On the other hand, histamine receptor antagonists like Ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepcid AC), and Cimetidine (Tagamet) work by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.

They are used to treat conditions like ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Providing these drugs before anesthesia for a cesarean section is crucial to minimize potential complications associated with acid reflux during the surgical procedure.

Hence, the correct answer is Option C.