Anaesthetics

Question 1

When is an oropharyngeal airway useful? What are its advantaged?

Answer 1

Short procedures
Most often as a bridge to a definitive airway
Easy to insert
No paralysis required

Question 2

When is a laryngeal mask airway used? What are its advantages?

Answer 2

Day surgery
Easy to insert
Usually no paralysis required

Question 3

When is a tracheostomy done? What are its advantages?

Answer 3

Slow weaning of airway
ITU
Reduces work of breathing and dead space

Question 4

When is an endotracheal tube used? What are its advantages?

Answer 4

Long/short -term ventilation

Provides optimal control of airway

Question 5

List the main IV anaesthetic agents used

Answer 5

Propofol
Sodium thiopentone
Ketamine
Etomidate

Question 6

Which IV anaesthetic has anti-emetic property?

Answer 6

Propofol

Question 7

Which IV anaesthetic can come with a “hangover” effect due to build up of metabolites?

Answer 7

Sodium thiopentone

Question 8

Which IV anaesthetic has the greatest analgesic effect?

Answer 8

Ketamine

Question 9

List the main inhalational anaesthetic agents used

Answer 9

Halothane
Isoflurane
Sevoflurane

Question 10

Which inhalational anaesthetic carries a risk of hepatotoxicity?

Answer 10

Halothane

Question 11

List colour of cannulae from largest to smallest flow rate (biggest to smallest)

Answer 11

Orange (14G)
Grey (16G)
Green (18G)
Pink (20G)
Blue (22G)

Question 12

What is malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 12

Hyperpyrexia and muscle rigidity seen following administration of anaesthetics

Question 13

What is the pathophysiology of malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 13

Excess release of Ca from SR of skeletal muscle

Question 14

Which drug is given to counteract malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 14

Dantrolene

Question 15

List the main muscle relaxants (NM blockers) used

Answer 15

Suxamethonium
Vecuronium
Atracurium
Pancuronium

Question 16

Which muscle relaxant is depolarising and which are non-depolarising?

Answer 16

Depolarising: suxamethonium

Non-polarising: vecuronium, atracurium, pancuronium

Question 17

Which muscle relaxant has the fastest onset and shortest duration of action?

Answer 17

Suxamethonium

Question 18

When are nasopharyngeal airways appropriate/well-tolerated?

Answer 18

Low GCS
Seizures
NOT in base of skull fracture

Question 19

List early (0-5 days) causes of post-op pyrexia

Answer 19

Blood transfusion
Cellulitis
Urinary tract infection
Physiological
Pulmonary atelectasis

Question 20

List late (after 5 days) of post-op pyrexia

Answer 20

Venous thromboembolism
Pneumonia
Wound infection
Anastomotic leak