A patient who is scheduled for surgery in a week tells the nurse doing the preoperative assessment about an allergy to bananas, kiwifruit, and latex products. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

• A. Notify the dietitian about the food allergies.
• B. Alert the surgery center about the latex allergy.
• C. Reassure the patient that all allergies are noted on the medical record.
• D. Ask whether the patient uses antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions.

Answer: (B)

Latex exposure in the operating room can trigger a rapid, potentially life-threatening reaction. When a patient reports a latex allergy during preoperative assessment, the highest priority is to make the surgical team aware so they can arrange a latex-free environment—using nonlatex gloves and equipment, sterilization materials, and any devices that might contain latex. This proactive communication directly reduces the risk of inadvertent exposure during induction and the procedure.

The banana and kiwifruit allergies add a layer of caution because of latex–fruit cross-reactivity; this supports treating latex allergy as a critical safety issue in the OR. While documentation and considering medications like antihistamines have roles in overall allergy management, they do not substitute for ensuring a latex-free surgical field. Merely reassuring the patient that allergies are noted doesn’t guarantee that the team will implement latex-free precautions, so informing the surgery center is the essential step.