Final answer:
A patient should generally stop taking MAOIs but continue taking antihypertensive medications on the day of surgery, according to standard guidelines. However, this decision should always be personalized and made by consulting a healthcare professional.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether a patient should continue or stop taking MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and antihypertensive medications on the day of surgery is a critical decision that should be made based on the individual's health status and the surgery being performed. Generally, antihypertensive medications are continued to avoid the risk of hypertension or a hypertensive crisis during surgery. However, MAOIs may pose significant risks for interactions with anesthetic agents and other medications used during surgery. Therefore, MAOIs are usually discontinued well before the planned surgery date, as suggested by an anesthesiologist or surgeon. It is imperative that such decisions are made in consultation with a healthcare professional. The default advice, without specific details about an individual patient, would be option 2: Stop taking MAOIs but continue taking antihypertensives. Again, this is a general guideline, and the care team may have different recommendations based on the patient's medical history and the specifics of the surgery.