Atropine is given preoperatively before abdominal surgery primarily to:

Correct option is B

Atropine, an anticholinergic, reduces secretions in airway and salivary glands, decreasing aspiration risk during anesthesia.
Explanation of options: (a) ✘ Atropine can prevent vagal bradycardia, but this is not the main reason preoperatively. (b) ✔ Correct; secretion reduction is the key rationale for preoperative atropine. (c) ✘ Atropine has no analgesic property. (d) ✘ Gastric emptying is slowed, not improved, by atropine.