Abrupt perioperative discontinuation of chronic medications should be avoided because:

• A. There is threat of clinical relapse in the patient
• B. This can cause discontinuation syndrome
• C. The owner may forget to start the medications again
• D. The first and second statements are correct

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that stopping chronic medications suddenly around surgery can trigger two real problems: a relapse or worsening of the underlying condition, and a withdrawal (discontinuation) syndrome from the drug itself. If you abruptly withhold meds like antihypertensives or anticonvulsants, the patient may experience higher blood pressure or seizures, reflecting relapse risk. At the same time, stopping certain drugs can produce withdrawal symptoms specific to that medication class. Because both risks can occur, the option that acknowledges both is the best choice. While forgetting to restart meds can be a practical concern, the physiological dangers of relapse and withdrawal are the core reasons to avoid abrupt perioperative discontinuation.