In perioperative care, which statement about atropine is true?

• A. Increase saliva production
• B. Relieve postoperative pain
• C. Treat infection
• D. Decrease saliva production

Answer: (D)

Anticholinergic action of atropine reduces secretions in the airway and oral cavity. In the perioperative setting, atropine is used to dry secretions from the salivary and bronchial glands to decrease the risk of aspiration and to make airway management easier during anesthesia. By blocking muscarinic receptors, it lowers saliva production, which is why the statement about decreasing saliva production is true. It does not relieve postoperative pain or treat infection, and it actually reduces secretions rather than increasing them. Side effects can include tachycardia and blurred vision, but the primary perioperative reason to use atropine is to diminish secretions.