Patient on oral lithium therapy. How many ours prior to surgery we stop lithium-: (A) 24 hrs, (B) 48 hrs, (C) 72 hrs, (D) 96 hrs
Answer is A. Patient on oral lithium therapy needs to stop taking the medication 24-48 hrs prior to surgery. Lithium may potentiate neuromuscular blocker thus it is stopped prior to surgery.