For which group of patients is pregnancy testing recommended before undergoing general anesthesia?

Pregnancy testing is specifically recommended for potentially fertile women prior to undergoing general anesthesia due to the potential risks anesthesia poses to a developing fetus. Anesthesia can influence fetal development and may pose a risk of complications if a woman is unknowingly pregnant during the procedure.

The focus is on this demographic because women of reproductive age are more likely to be pregnant, and specific precautions need to be taken to ensure the safety of both the patient and the fetus. This is particularly crucial in cases where the procedure could require the administration of medication or pose risks that may affect the pregnancy.

Other groups, while they may have distinct considerations, do not necessitate routine pregnancy testing. For example, not all female patients require testing, as many may be beyond their reproductive years or may have had procedures that confirm they are not pregnant. Women over the age of 40 are also not universally considered to require testing, as fertility decreases with age. Lastly, the history of previous surgeries does not inherently indicate a need for pregnancy testing unless the patient falls into the potentially fertile category. Thus, the recommendation is tailored specifically to those who could be pregnant.