The nurse is preparing a patient for a cesarean birth scheduled to be performed under general anesthesia. Which should the nurse plan to administer, if ordered by the health care provider, to prevent aspiration of gastric contents?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hydroxyzine (Vistaril). Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine with antiemetic properties that can help reduce the risk of aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia. It works by decreasing nausea and vomiting, which in turn decreases the likelihood of aspiration. Citric acid (Bicitra) can actually increase gastric acidity and promote aspiration. Ranitidine (Zantac) is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to reduce gastric acid secretion but does not directly prevent aspiration. Glycopyrrolate (Robinul) is an anticholinergic medication used to reduce secretions but does not specifically target prevention of aspiration. Therefore, hydroxyzine is the most appropriate choice in this scenario.