What should a nurse confirm before surgery regarding medications taken by the client?

The correct response to focus on is that any herbal supplements are disclosed. This is critical in the perioperative context due to the potential interactions between herbal supplements and prescribed medications, as well as their effects on anesthetic agents. Certain herbs can affect blood clotting, metabolism, and hemodynamic stability, possibly leading to complications during and after surgery. Therefore, it is essential for the surgical team to have a complete understanding of all substances the client is taking, including over-the-counter medications and herbal products, to ensure safe perioperative care.

While confirming that medications are taken as prescribed, awareness of side effects, and stopping anticoagulants are also important, they do not capture the specific concern that herbal supplements may pose unique risks often overlooked by patients. Herbal supplements can have significant pharmacological effects that are not well understood, which underscores the importance of full disclosure in the preoperative assessment.