If you’re going to have surgery, you may have blood and urine tests first. These tests may be helpful if you have certain health conditions or diseases. For example, if you have a blood-clotting problem, a test can show if you’re at risk of too much bleeding during surgery. But most healthy people don’t need the tests, especially before low-risk surgery.

When are the lab tests a good idea?

If you have certain health conditions or diseases, or your medical history shows the need, the tests may give your doctor helpful information. For example:

• If you bruise easily, use a blood-thinning medicine, had bleeding problems in an earlier surgery or dental procedure, or have a family history of bleeding problems, you may need a blood test to find out if your blood clots normally.
• If you have a disease such as diabetes, you will probably need to have a test to make sure it is under control.
• Women of childbearing age may need a pregnancy test.

You may also need the tests before a major operation such as heart, lung, or brain surgery.

How should you prepare for surgery?

Your doctor or the hospital’s pre-surgery team will examine you and review your medical history.

• If they order any tests, ask why.
• Ask your doctor to check your test records for the past four to six months. Usually you don’t need to repeat a recent test if your condition hasn’t changed.
• Bring a list of the names and doses for all your supplements, medicines, and vitamins.
• Report any new symptoms—even if they occur after your exam.

These steps can help make your surgery safer:

• Quit smoking, at least for the surgery. It is important not to smoke on the day of your surgery. The sooner you quit, the lower your risk of complications. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Ask about banking your own blood. You can have some of your blood drawn and stored before surgery. That way, if you need a blood transfusion, you will get your own blood. This reduces the risk of infection or a bad reaction.
• Ask about pain relief. Ask your doctor if you should stop aspirin or other blood thinners. You may want to use acetaminophen (Tylenol and generic) for pain relief. Avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and generic) and naproxen sodium (Aleve and generic) because they can cause bleeding.
• Ask for help. Ask someone to drive you to and from the hospital and stay overnight with you. You may want to ask someone to be with you at your doctor’s appointments, particularly in stressful situations, to be sure all instructions and information is retained. Ask about nursing or rehab care, too.

Conditions: Surgery.

Diagnostic Tests: Pre-Op Assessment (Pre-Operative Assessment/Evaluation).