ACC Flashcards
What 2 criteria are required to diagnose septic shock?
1) MAP <65 mmHg despite fluid resus
2) Lactate >2 mmol/L
What BEDSIDE score can be used to identify patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk for a poor outcome outside of ICU?
qSOFA
What makes up the qSOFA score? (3)
1) RR >22
2) Systolic BP <100 mmHg
3) altered mental state
What qSOFA score indicates someone at a heightened risk of mortality (10% risk)?
≥2
What is the mean arterial pressure? (MAP?
The average pressure in a patient’s arteries during one cardiac cycle.
It is considered a better indicator of perfusion to vital organs than systolic BP.
How does sepsis cause hypoperfusion of organs?
Cytokines released due to inflammation increase the permeability of blood vessels.
This causes oedema and reduced intravascular volume.
Oedema creates a gap between the blood and the tissues, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues.
What is released in sepsis that results in vasodilation?
Nitrous oxide
In order to generate a palpable femoral pulse, what arterial pressure is required?
> 65 mmHg
Which general anaesthetic has a side effect of pain on injection?
Propofol
2 key adverse effects of propofol?
1) Pain on injection site
2) Marked drop in BP
Which general anaesthetic has a side effect of laryngospasm?
Thiopental sodium
Which general anaesthetic has a side effect of 1ary adrenal suppression?
Etomidate
2 main side effects of etomidate?
1) 1ary adrenal suppression
2) Myoclonus
How does etomidate cause adrenal suppression?
As reversibly inhibits 11b-hydroxylase
What 2 things is malignant hyperthermia triggered by?
1) Suxamethonium
2) Volatile anaesthetics
Definitive diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia?
Genetic testing afterwards
Which general anaesthetic is post-op vomiting common in?
Etomidate
Mechanism of IV dantrolene in malignant hyperthermia?
Ryanodine receptor antagonist –> helps to decrease intracellular calcium concentration and muscle metabolism
What is the most common cause of malignant hyperthermia?
Autosomal dominant mutation in ryanodine receptor.
This results in an abnormality in calcium regulation within muscle cells –> leads to increased calcium levels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and a consequent increase in metabolic rate.
Which general anaesthetic may cause marked myocardial depression?
Thiopental sodium
Inheritance of mutation in malignant hyperthermia?
Autosomal dominant
What does a simple general anaesthetic induction ‘recipe’ for tracheal intubation in a fit and well patient usually incorporate?
Quick acting opiate e.g. fentanyl + propofol
How many test breaths are delivered whilst confirming tube placement within the trachea?
5
How is tube placement confirmed within the trachea? (3)
1) 5 waves on capnography
2) Symmetrical chest expansion
3) Misting of tube
What intraoperative monitoring is required?
(3)
1) Obs: HR, BP, O2 & capnography
2) Depth of anaesthesia: BIS monitor or MAC
3) Neuromuscular blockade w/ peripheral nerve stimulator
What does a BIS monitor analyse?
EEG (brain activity)
What medication is used specifically to reverse the effects of certain non-depolarising muscle relaxants (rocuronium and vecuronium)?
Sugammadex
What is the NMDA receptor?
A receptor of glutamate (the primary excitatory neurotransmitter).
How can the degree of the neuromuscular blockade be assessed?
Peripheral nerve stimulator
Where are the leads typically over in a peripheral nerve stimulator?
Facial or ulnar nerve
Mechanism of ketamine?
NMDA receptor antagonist
What class of medication can reverse the effects of neuromuscular blocking medications?
cholinesterase inhibitors e.g. neostigmine
What 2 GA agents do NOT cause marked hypotension?
Ketamine & etomidate
Who cyclizine be used with caution in?
HF & elderly
What inhaled GA has the worst environmental effect?
Desflurane
What is the main contraindication for thiopentone?
Porphyria
Which inhaled GA is used in organ donation?
Isoflurane (due to least effect on organ blood flow)
Which inhalational agent is sweet smelling?
Sevoflurane
What is ‘train of four’ stimulation?
Four consecutive 2 Hz stimuli to a chosen muscle group and the respective number of twitches evoked.
This provides information on the patient’s recovery from neuromuscular blockade.
What are 3 common antiemetics given for prophylaxis given at the end of the operation?
1) Ondansetron
2) Cyclizine
3) Dexamethasone
How do muscle relaxants work?
Block ACh action at NMJ
What is the most common short acting opioid used at time of anaesthesia induction?
Fentanyl
Mechanism of cyclizine?
Antihistamine (H1 receptor antagonist)
What result of train-of-four (TOF) stimulation indicates that muscle relaxants haven’t fully worn off?
Muscle responses get weaker with additional stimulation
What is minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)?
Minimum concentration of inhaled anaesthetic at which 50% of people don’t move in response to a noxious stimuli.
When can MAC be used to measure the depth of anaesthesia?
If VOLATILE agents are used
What is suxamethonium apnoea also known as?
Pseudocholinesterase deficiency
Which inhaled GA is associated with hepatotoxicity?
Halothane
What is the muscle relaxant of choice for RSI for intubation?
Suxamethonium
What drug is often used in epidural anaesthesia?
Levobupivacaine +/- fentanyl
What is the caudal space?
Extension of epidural space (at bottom of spine)
What are anaesthetics used for spinal anaesthesia mixed with?
Why?
Dextrose
To make them hyperbaric (i.e. denser than CSF)
Purpose of local anaesthetics used for spinal anaesthesia being hyperbaric?
1) Greater spread in the direction of gravity
2) More predictable with minimal inter-patient variability
Which nerve block is mostly performed to provide analgesia following rib fractures and thoracic surgery?
Intercostal
What type of peripheral nerve block is used for hand operations?
Axillary
Who is caudal anaesthesia more useful in?
Paediatric patients
What type of peripheral nerve block is used for elbow operations?
Supraclavicular
What is a complication of an intercostal block?
Pneumothorax
What are the 2 key risk factors for lidocaine toxicity?
1) Hypoalbuminaemia (as lidocaine is protein bound)
2) Hepatic dysfunction
Which local anaesthetic has the fastest onset?
Lidocaine
What is the safe dose for Lignocaine with and without adrenaline?
Without –> 3mg/kg
With –> 7mg/kg
Presentation of ipsilateral phrenic nerve palsy?
SOB
Where does the subarachnoid space end?
S1
What is the safe dose for bupivacaine?
2mg/kg
A patient is administered local anaesthetic at the end of an operation.
The surgeon infiltrates 20ml of 2% lidocaine.
How many mg of lidocaine dose this amount to?
1% lidocaine = 1g per 100ml
2% = 2g per 100ml
2g = 2000mg
2000 / 5 (as 100 / 20 = 5) = 400mg
What is wound dehiscence?
A post-operative complication in which a wound ruptures along the surgical incision site.
Superficial –> non-urgent senior review
Deep –> emergency
How should OD insulin be adjusted on the day before and day of surgery?
Generally reduced by 20%
How can suxamethonium affect K+?
Can cause hyperkalaemia
Adrenaline dose in anaphylaxis:
a) IM
b) IV
a) 0.5ml 1:1000
b) 0.5ml 1:10000
Repeat doses every 5 mins
When should you suspect pulmonary oedema following general anaesthetics?
In hypoxic patients following laryngospasm
respiratory sound in bronchospasm vs laryngospasm?
Bronchospasm - wheeze
Laryngospasm - stridor
What 2 things should be ruled out following laryngospasm?
1) Pulmonary oedema
2) Aspiration
What is intraoperative hypothermia defined as?
<36 degrees
What electrolyte abnormality can contribute to post-op ileus?
Hyperkalaemia
How can laryngospasm result in pulmonary oedema?
Inspiratory effort against the closed glottis leads to excessive negative pressure within the alveoli, resulting in pulmonary oedema.
How can perioperative hypothermia cause prolonged recovery from anaesthesia?
Reduction in body temperature can lead to prolongation of anaesthetic drugs, neuromuscular blocking agents and inhalational agents.
What 2 methods are used to monitor temp in anaesthetics?
1) Tympanic thermometer
2) Oesophageal probe
What is laryngospasm?
Partial or complete reflex adduction of vocal cords due to the involuntary contraction of the intrinsic muscle of the larynx.
This may cause a variable degree of upper airway obstruction.
Closure of the glottic opening is a primitive protective airway reflex to prevent aspiration.
At what volume should IV fluids be warmed prior to administration?
> 500 ml
Define the pre-operative phase
Starting 1 hour before induction of anaesthesia
What are the 3 most common sites of insertion for a central line?
1) Internal jugular vein (most common)
2) Subclavian vein
3) Femoral vein
Which LA can cause cardiotoxicity?
Bupivacaine
Why is bupivacaine contraindicated in regional anaesthesia?
Due to cardiotoxicity - in case tourniquet fails
Mx of the following drugs before surgery:
a) ACEi e.g. ramipril
b) sulfonylureas
c) warfarin
d) clopidogrel
a) stop day before
b) stop day of (unless BD and morning surgery - can have afternoon dose)
c) 5 days before (bridge with LMWH)
d) 7 days before
Which type of anaesthetic drug can cause fasciculations?
Depolarising muscle relxanats e.g. Suxamethonium
Which term refers to the volume of air pushed in per breath during mechanical ventilation?
Tidal volume
What abdominal findings may be seen in tricuspid regurgitation? (2)
1) Pulsatile liver
2) Ascites
What is the name for treatment with a triple chamber pacemaker in severe heart failure with an ejection fraction of less than 35%? (1)
CRT
What pH is sufficient to confirm the placement of an NG tube?
<5
What is the recommended volume of maintenance fluids in adults?
25-30 ml/kg/day