For a healthy patient undergoing minor surgery, which preoperative test is routinely indicated?

• A. None beyond history and physical
• B. Complete blood count
• C. Electrocardiogram
• D. Chest imaging

Answer: (A)

For a healthy patient undergoing minor surgery, the preoperative evaluation hinges on a thorough history and physical examination rather than routine testing. Routine tests do not improve perioperative outcomes in low-risk individuals and can lead to false positives, unnecessary delays, and added costs. Therefore, if the patient has no systemic disease, no cardiac symptoms, and the planned procedure is low risk, no routine laboratory or imaging tests are required beyond the history and physical. Tests like a complete blood count, electrocardiogram, or chest imaging are reserved for situations where the history or exam raises concerns or where the test results would change management, such as known cardiac disease, anemia, or risk factors that warrant further assessment. In short, evidence-based practice supports omitting routine testing in this scenario and relying on the clinical assessment to guide any necessary further workup.