A patient taking ginger preoperatively is at risk for surgical complications that include bleeding, hypotension and which of the following?

• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hypokalemia
• D. Liver dysfunction

Answer: (B)

Ginger can affect the cardiovascular system in a few ways relevant to the perioperative setting. It has antiplatelet properties, which increases the risk of surgical bleeding, and it can cause vasodilation that may contribute to lowered blood pressure. In addition, ginger has been reported in some cases to slow the heart rate, especially when large doses are involved or when combined with other agents that depress conduction. When a patient is already at risk for bleeding and hypotension, the potential for bradycardia further compromises cardiac output and hemodynamic stability during anesthesia, making it a particularly concerning additional risk. The other options are not typically associated with ginger in this context: hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and liver dysfunction are not as strongly linked to preoperative ginger use.