Bonus Questions 2013 Flashcards
Here's a compilation of the q's from the 2014 class.
- You are about to place a femoral nerve block. Since you are in Punxsutawney, you are not allowed to use ultrasound guidance—you must rely on your expert knowledge of anatomy. You quickly refresh your memory by knowing:
a. The acronym NAVL (Nerve, Artery, Vein, and Ligament) starts medial and ends lateral
b. The nerve lies about 0.5-1 cm deeper and 1.5 cm lateral to the femoral artery
c. Knowing your anatomy will guarantee that you will achieve a perfect block 100% of the time.
d. After making your local skin wheel you should insert your needle in a cephalad angle (approximately 30 degrees)
e. After making your local skin wheel you should insert your needle in a caudal angle (approximately 30 degrees)
a. Answer b and e
i. Rationale: knowing b demonstrates proper order of NAVL anatomy (which runs lateral to medial, not the other way around), and e demonstrates an accurate understanding that angling your needle celphalad increases the likelihood that you will cover the femoral nerve before it bifurcates.
ii. Barash 6th edition, page 988 and 990
- While placing a femoral block, you decide to use a nerve stimulator. Accurate understanding of this is demonstrated by knowing:
a. Eliciting a strong knee twitch means you are right where you want to be and should dump your local anesthetic here
b. Immediately after inserting your needle you should start the nerve stimulator at 4 mA
c. After eliciting a strong leg reflex with the nerve stimulator reduced down to 0.3 mA, you should aspirate, if no blood, inject local anesthetic (in 5 ml increments)
d. You notice a strong leg reflex with the nerve stimulator at 0.2 mA, therefore you should insert your needle approximately 2-3 mm closer to the nerve
i. Rationale: Answer c demonstrates accurate knowledge of proper reflex (not just knee but total leg reflex), as well as proper understanding of nerve stimulator mechanics and local anesthetic injection technique
ii. Barash 6th edition, page 957
- You are working in a remote hospital about to place an interscalene block. The resources in this location are limited. They do, however, have a room designated for block placement. Before you begin to place the block you ensure that you have the following in the room before you start (select 4):
a. Suction
b. Emergency airway supplies
c. Oxygen
d. Sufficient lighting
e. Sedation medications
f. Lipid rescue
g. Difficult airway cart
i. Rationale: Answers a-d demonstrates understanding of the proper equipment needed to place a block. Sedation medications are nice, lipid rescue should be nearby, and a difficult airway cart great to have nearby—but none of these are required.
ii. Barash 6th edition, page 956
- You place a femoral and popliteal nerve block prior to a total knee arthroplasty using anatomy and nerve stimulator technique. After 10 minutes the patient reports that he can still flex/extend his leg and states that he doesn’t “feel much different” than he did prior to the block. This report means that you should:
a. Try the block again—this time using ultrasound
b. Change your anesthetic plan to a general anesthetic
c. Check the patient again in about 1-2 minutes to see if his block is working then
d. Wait another 10-20 minutes before you rule out the block
i. Rationale: Answer D. Blocks can take about 20-30 minutes to set up. Blocking again may be unnecessary plus run the risk of local anesthetic toxicity. Changing the anesthetic plan to a general may be premature. Checking again in 1-2 minutes is still not enough time to fully allow for “soak time.”
ii. Barash 6th edition, page 956
- While using a nerve stimulator and ultrasound to place an interscalene block, it is usually helpful to:
a. Mark your site after a scout look with the ultrasound, use sterile gloves, mask, prep with proper cleaning solution, drape, and use ultrasound transducer gel.
b. Same as above except use clean gloves vs sterile gloves since this is only a clean technique.
c. Use an “in-plane” technique when lining up your landmarks and needle (longitudinal)
d. Use an “out-of-plane” technique when lining up your landmarks and needle (transverse)
e. Both a and c
f. Both a and d
i. Rationale: Sterile technique minimizes the risk of infection. Although an out-of-plane technique can be utilized for compact areas, it is most helpful to use an in-plane technique when placing a block so you can visualize your needle as it approaches the needle as this technique allows visualization of vital strictures (lungs, major vessels, etc.)
ii. Barash 6th edition, page 958
- To adequately prevent pain from an arm tourniquet, which of the following nerve blocks should be performed to augment an axillary brachial plexus block?
a. Musculocutaneous, medial brachial cutaneous, and intercostobrachial nerve blocks
b. Musculocutaneous and medial brachial cutaneous nerve block
c. Musculocutaneous and intercostobrachial nerve blocks
d. Ulnar and Radial nerve blocks
Answer A.
These 3 nerves may need to be blocked separately as they exit the brachial
Plexus sheath high in the axilla.
Nagelhout page 1087
- All of the following local anesthetics exert a vasodilatory effect except for:
a. Ropivacaine
b. Lidocaine
c. Prilocaine
d. Bupivacaine
Answer A
Ropivacaine and cocaine are the only LA’s that produce vasoconstriction.
Morgan and Mikhail Pages 271-274
- By inserting a needle 2 cm medial and caudal to the anterior superior iliac spine and injecting 10-15 ml of local anesthetic after the needle penetrates the fascia lata, you would be attempting to block which nerve?
a. Obuturator
b. Lateral femoral cutaneous
c. Musculocutaneous
d. Sciatic
Answer B
The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve emerges underneath the inguinal ligament And becomes superficial inside the fascia lata near the anterior superior anterior superior iliac spine
Morgan and Mikhail 346-347
- The blood supply to the spinal cord and nerve roots arises from:
a. Paired anterior and paired posterior spinal arteries
b. A single anterior and paired posterior arteries
c. Paired anterior arteries and a single posterior artery
d. A single anterior and a single posterior artery
Answer B.
The blood supply to the spinal cord is derived from a single anterior and paired posterior arteries. The anterior spinal artery is formed from the vertebral artery and supplies the anterior 2/3 of the cord while the posterior spinal arteries are derived from the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries and supply the posterior 1/3 of the spinal cord.
Morgan and Mikhail 294-295
- A burn patient exhibits signs of inhalation injury and possible carbon monoxide poisoning. All of the following regarding carbon monoxide are true except:
a. It has a greater infinity for hemoglobin than oxygen
b. It can result in metabolic acidosis
c. It impairs mitochondrial function
d. It shift the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right
Answer D
Carbon monoxide has an affinity for hemoglobin that is 200 times greater than that of oxygen, impairs mitochondrial function, uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and reduces ATP production resulting in metabolic acidosis, and shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left, impairing the unloading of oxygen to the tissues. In addition, it acts as a direct myocardial toxin and can prevent survival in resuscitation efforts during cardiac arrest. Barash Page 909
- Superiorly the epidural space extends from the _____ to the ______.
a. Foramen magnum, sacral hiatus
b. Foramen magnum, cauda equina
c. C2, L5
d. C2, sacral hiatus
Answer: A. Superiorly, the epidural space extends to the foramen magnum, where dura is fused to the bse of the skull. Caudally it ends at the sacral hiatus.
James Duke – Anesthesia Secrets. Fourth Edition. Page 458.
- What is an absolute contraindication to spinal anesthesia?
a. Sepsis
b. Chronic back pain
c. Intracranial hypertension
d. Progressive neurologic disease such as multiple sclerosis
Answer: C. Absolute contraindications include local infection at the puncture site, bacteremia, severe hypovolemia, coagulopathy, severe stenotic valvular disease, intracranial hypertension and patient refusal. Relative contraindications include progressive neurologic disease such as multiple sclerosis, low back pain, and sepsis.
James Duke – Anesthesia Secrets. Fourth Edition. Page 454.
- What is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the burn patient?
a. Hypovolemic shock
b. Cardiogenic shock
c. Renal failure
d. Infection
Answer: D. Infection in the burn patient is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and remains one of the most demanding concerns for the burn team. As burn wound size increases, bloodstream infection increases dramatically secondary to exposure to IV catheters and burn wound manipulation-induced bacteremia.
James Duke – Anesthesia Secrets Fourth Edition. Pg 383.
- Electroconvulsive therapy can be used safely in all patients except:
a. Pts with a cardiac pacemaker
b. Pts with an implantable cardiodefibrillator
c. Parturients
d. Recent MI
Answer: D. ECT should be used very cautiously if at all when the effects on cerebral blood flow, ICP, HR, and BP may prove problematic to the patient. Pts with unstable cardiac disease and those with cerebral space occupying lesions are at risk of complications. ECT has been used safely in pts with cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardiodefibrillators and during pregnancy. James Duke – Anesthesia Secrets. Fourth Edition. Page 523.
- Your patient is presenting for a toe amputation and has a known ester allergy (rash, bronchospasm). An ankle block is the best anesthetic option for him due to severe cardiovascular issues and COPD. What would you do?
a. Tell him that a nerve block is not an option due to his proven ester allergy, and his surgery will be very high risk under general anesthesia.
b. Proceed with injecting an ester because you know that true allergies to local anesthetics are rare and his “allergy” was most likely systemic toxicity.
c. Administer an ankle block using an amide local anesthetic.
d. Tell him that he is not a surgical candidate.
Answer: C. There is no cross-sensitivity between classes of local anesthetics. Therefore patients known to be allergic to ester local anesthetics could receive amide local anesthetics. However, caution is still warranted in case the patient is allergic to the preservative that may be common to both classes of drugs.
James Duke – Anesthesia Secrets. Fourth Edition. Page 106.
- A patient presents with a fracture to the third metatarsal (middle toe) of the right foot. Which nerve would need to be blocked along with the medial plantar nerve to provide adequate anesthesia to the operative site?
a. Sural Nerve
b. Deep Peroneal Nerve
c. Superficial Peroneal Nerve
d. Saphenous Nerve
Answer: C
Rationale: The superficial peroneal nerve provides dorsal coverage of the third forth and fifth metatarsals.
Reference: Miller- Page 293 Figure 18-11, Innervation of the lower extremities.
- Hypotension after spinal anesthesia occurs from: (Choose Two)
a. Parasympathetic blockade which increases venous return
b. Sympathetic blockade which decrease venous return
c. Sympathetic blockade which decreases SVR
d. Parasympathetic blockade which increases SVR
Answer: B and C
Rationale: Spinal Anesthesia blocks the sympathetic nervous system lowering the patient’s blood pressure by decreasing venous return and decreasing systemic vascular resistance.
Reference: Miller- Page 270
- A patient has a lesion of their spine at the level of T1. All of the following nerves could be compromised EXCEPT:
a. Musculocutaneous
b. Axillary
c. Radial
d. Median
e. Ulnar
Answer: A
Rationale: The musculocutaneous nerve is innervated from C 5, 6, 7. The remaining options could possibly have some innervation from T1 and could therefore be effected.
Reference: Miller- Page 288 Figure 18-5, The Brachial Plexus.
- After epidural catheter placement, your patient experiences bilateral lower extremity motor loss prior to any drug injection. You begin to suspect your needle contacted which anatomic region during placement?
a. Spinal nerve rootlets of the Cauda Equina
b. The Artery of Adamkiewicz
c. The Dura
d. Epidural vein
e. None of the above
Answer: B
Rationale: Accidental damage to the Artery of Adamkiewicz during epidural placement can occur. This causes characteristic bilateral lower extremity motor loss (anterior spinal artery syndrome).
Reference: Miller- Page 261
- To what dermatome level would the spinal height need to reach for surgery on the appendix or lower abdomen?
a. T 4 (nipple)
b. T 6-7 (xiphoid process)
c. T 10 (umbilicus)
d. L 1-3 (Inguinal ligament)
Answer: B
Rationale: T 4 is adequate but higher than necessary for appendix or lower abdominal surgery. T 6-7 is the proper choice for spinal height in this region. T 10 and L 1-3 are not sufficient height to anesthetize the desired surgical site.
Reference: Miller- Page 268, Table 17-2, Sensory Level of Anesthesia Necessary for surgical procedures.
- If the oculocardiac reflex is suspected during ophthalmic surgery what is the first step the anesthetist should take to alleviate the symptoms?
a. Administer 1 mg of atropine IV
b. Administer .01 mg/kg epinephrine IV
c. Ask the surgeon to stop the surgical stimulus
d. Prepare for immediate cardioversion
Answer C
“If a cardiac dysrhythmia appears, initially the surgeon should be asked to cease operative manipulation. Next, the patient’s anesthetic depth and ventilatory status are evaluated. Commonly, heart rate and rhythm return to baseline within 20 seconds after institution of these measures.”
(Barash 6th Edition pg. 1327)
- Bradycardia associated with the oculocardiac reflex is
a. Less likely to occur with repeated stimulation during ophthalmic surgery
b. More likely to occur with repeated stimulation during ophthalmic surgery
c. Not associated with ophthalmic surgery
d. Not clinically significant and can be ignored
Answer A
“…with repeated manipulation, bradycardia is less likely to recur, probably secondary to fatigue of the reflex arc at the level of the cardioinhibitory center.”
(Barash 6th Edition pg. 1327)
- Gynecoid (peripheral) obesity is associated with (Choose 2)
a. Increased oxygen consumption and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.
b. Less metabolically active adipose tissue so it is less closely associated with cardiovascular disease.
c. Adipose tissue that is located predominantly in the upper body.
d. Adipose tissue that is located predominantly in the hips, buttocks, and thighs.
Answers B and D
“Varying pathophysiologic consequences are associated with the anatomic distribution of body fat. In android (Central) obesity, adipose tissue is located predominantly in the upper body (truncal distribution) and is associated with increased oxygen consumption and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Visceral fat is particularly associated with cardiovascular disease and left ventricular dysfunction. In Gynecoid (peripheral) obesity, adipose tissue is located predominantly in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. This fat is less metabolically active so it I less closely associated with cardiovascular disease.
(Barash 6th Edition pg. 1230
- Perioperative monitoring during off-site anesthesia must include which of the following:
a. Pulse oximetry, invasive monitoring, EKG, constant blood pressure
b. Intermittent blood pressure monitoring, EKG, end-tidal CO2 invasive monitoring
c. Pulse oximetry, heart rate, intermittent blood pressure monitoring, EKG, end-tidal CO2, Temperature monitoring
d. EKG, Cerebral oxygenation, Temperature monitoring, EKG, pulse oximetry
Answer C
“Perioperative monitoring must adhere to the ASA standards for basic anesthetic monitoring. These include continuous monitoring of heart rate and oxygen saturation, intermittent noninvasive blood pressure monitoring, end-tidal CO2 monitoring and the capacity for both temperature monitoring and continuous electrocardiogram.”
(Barash 6th Edition pg. 854)