What is one of the appropriate preoperative medications for a C-section patient?

Antacids are an appropriate preoperative medication for a C-section patient as they help neutralize stomach acid, which is particularly important in surgical settings. During surgery, there is a risk of aspiration, especially if the patient has not been fasting adequately. Neutralizing stomach acid can reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonitis, which can occur if acidic contents enter the lungs during anesthesia. This risk is heightened for pregnant patients due to delayed gastric emptying caused by hormonal changes.

While antibiotics can be important in certain C-section cases to prevent infections, they are not universally administered preoperatively for every patient. Pain relievers are typically not given before surgery since their effects can complicate anesthesia. Steroids may be used in specific cases of pregnancy-related conditions but are not a routine preoperative medication for C-sections. Therefore, antacids serve a critical preventive function in reducing complications associated with anesthesia and protecting the patient's airway during surgery.