Gabapentin may contribute to which perioperative effect?

Gabapentin may contribute to which perioperative effect?

• A. Increased alertness
• B. Increased respiratory depression
• C. Postoperative nausea
• D. Postoperative sedation

Answer: (D)

Gabapentin has central nervous system depressant effects, mainly causing sedation and dizziness rather than increasing alertness. In the perioperative period, these sedative effects can persist or be amplified when combined with anesthetics and opioids, contributing to postoperative sedation. It doesn’t typically cause respiratory depression on its own, and while it may influence nausea indirectly through opioid-sparing effects, the most direct perioperative impact is sedation. So the perioperative effect gabapentin may contribute to is postoperative sedation.

Gabapentin has central nervous system depressant effects, mainly causing sedation and dizziness rather than increasing alertness. In the perioperative period, these sedative effects can persist or be amplified when combined with anesthetics and opioids, contributing to postoperative sedation. It doesn’t typically cause respiratory depression on its own, and while it may influence nausea indirectly through opioid-sparing effects, the most direct perioperative impact is sedation. So the perioperative effect gabapentin may contribute to is postoperative sedation.