A Temperature
B Paco₂
C Blood pressure
D Pao₂
E Blood glucose
B
Which of the following would be the most appropriate technique to optimise this gentleman’s perioperative analgesia?
A Single shot paravertebral injection at T6
B Ask the surgeon to site a paravertebral catheter
C Run a remifentanil infusion perioperatively and leave the patient intubated
overnight
D Ask the surgeon to site an intrapleural catheter
E Perform intercostal blocks at T5–8
B
spontaneous ventilation and coughing. Prompt extubation reduces the risk of
ventilator associated complications in the critical care unit, therefore option C is
not the best choice here
Although thoracic epidural analgesia is seen as the gold standard for this scenario,
injection of local anaesthetic into the paravertebral space aims to block spinal
nerves as they leave the intervertebral foramina; providing unilateral analgesia with
a degree of sympathetic blockade. A single shot injection may give analgesia for
over 20 hours but use of a catheter allows infusion of local anaesthetic in the post
operative period and is the best option of those listed here (option B).
In light of failed attempts to site a thoracic epidural, it may be kinder to perform
further procedures when the patient is asleep; surgically placed catheters during
VATS have been described and it would be worth asking the surgeon whether they
can perform this procedure in the first instance.
Intrapleural local anaesthetic, that is administration of local anaesthetic into the
space between the parietal and visceral pleura, would diffuse around the intercostal
nerves as they travel between the inner and innermost intercostal muscles.
However, disruption of the pleura leads to erratic absorption, potential leakage
into any intercostal drains sited and so less effective analgesia. Systemic absorption
via this route is high so option D is neither the safest nor the most effective of
those given. Intercostal blocks (option E) in general do not have adequate duration
for this scenario and offer inadequate analgesia compared with paravertebral
techniques.
On examination there is new subcutaneous emphysema of the chest wall. Heart rate is 60 beats per minute and blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg.
What is the most appropriate next step?
A Urgent chest radiograph (CXR)
B Needle thoracocentesis followed by insertion of 22F intercostal drain
C Immediate insertion of a 12F intercostal drain by the Seldinger technique
D Urgent bronchoscopy
E Urgent CT scan and thoracic surgical opinion
B
he becomes bradycardic with a heart rate of 25 beats per minute.
What is the most likely cause of his clinical deterioration?
A Hypoxia
B Depth of anaesthesia
C Hypothermia
D Hypercarbia
E Vasovagal reflex
E
Bradycardias during bronchoscopy are uncommon and should be assumed to be
secondary to hypoxia until proven otherwise. Hypoxia can occur if the scope is
placed in a bronchus or if instrumentation triggers bronchospasm. Furthermore,
when excessive suctioning is performed, there may be atelectasis and a reduction
in the inspired oxygen concentration. Also, a feared complication which can cause
hypoxia acutely is dislodgement of the foreign body into the trachea creating
complete obstruction of the airway.
Which of the following is most likely to prevent her from being discharged on the day of surgery?
A Lives in a rural location 30 minutes by car to the nearest hospital
B Has an adult relative to act as carer at home only until 20.00
C Hasn’t yet passed urine
D Is taking a public taxi home with an adult relative
E Has residual upper arm weakness
B
Medical
Preoperative assessment of a
patient’s health status should
be made to determine eligibility
rather than use of arbitrary limits,
e.g. BMI, ASA, age
Chronic stable disease may be
better treated as day case
Surgical
Procedure should not pose any
serious complications, e.g. risk of
haemorrhage and cardiovascular
instability
Oral medications and local
anaesthetic techniques should
be sufficient to manage post
operative symptoms
Procedure should not prevent
resumption of oral intake within
a few hours
Patients should be able to
mobilise but full mobilisation is
not always required
Social
Patients must understand
procedure, postoperative
care and be able to consent
to day surgery
A responsible adult should
escort the patient home and
be present for the first 24
hours postoperatively
Domestic circumstances
should be appropriate for
postoperative care
He normally takes aspirin and clopidogrel, but has not been taking the latter for “a few weeks”.
He has also recently started taking rivaroxaban 10 mg at night for an irregular heart rate.
What is the safest way to proceed?
A Ensuring 18 hours after the last dose of rivaroxaban, give a spinal, and then start a heparin infusion postoperatively
B Give a spinal now and use treatment dose low molecular weight heparin
(LMWH) from 2 hours postoperatively
C Wait until 24 hours after the last dose of rivaroxaban, then proceed with a spinal, and give the next dose immediately postoperatively
D Ensure 12 hours after the last dose of rivaroxaban, and give prophylactic LMWH 6 hours postoperatively
E Discuss with the patient the increased risks of central neuraxial blockade and
proceed under general anaesthesia
D
Aspirin and clopidogrel
Aspirin is an irreversible inhibitor of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX), and thus normal
platelet function relies on new platelet manufacture, which takes approximately 7
days. Aspirin is not contraindicated in central neuraxial blockade (CNB), as the risk of
haematoma is not elevated.
Conversely, clopidogrel is associated with haematoma formation in case reports. It
is a thienopyridine adenosine diphosphate (ADP) blocker, and published advice is to
avoid for at least 7 days prior to CNB. Prasugrel, a more potent thienopyridine, should
be avoided for 7–10 days and not restarted until 6 hours after block or catheter
removal, where clopidogrel can be given just afterwards.
Tirofiban/abciximab
These two are glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers, in the case of abciximab this is via
binding of a monoclonal antibody. Tirofiban is the shorter acting of the two, and
CNB can be attempted after 8 hours, whereas antibody persistence means a duration
of 24–48 hours is needed for abciximab.
____________________________________________
Dabigatran/rivaroxaban
Dabigatran is an oral thrombin inhibitor only licensed for venous thromboembolism
(VTE) prophylaxis after surgery. CNB should not be established in patients already
on this drug, as it is contraindicated by the manufacturer. It can be started 6 hours
after the risk period. Rivaroxaban is a direct oral inhibitor of factor Xa. It is becoming
more common as the list of approved indications increases. Previously only for
postoperative VTE prophylaxis, it is now being used in AF and in Europe as an
adjunct to aspirin and clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes. CNB should be
12–18 hours post-dose, and the drug should only be given 6 hours after a block or
catheter removal.
A
The lingual nerve is a branch from the mandibular division of the trigeminal
nerve and supplies sensory innervation to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. It also
carries sensory taste fibres from the anterior tongue to the facial nerve via the
chorda tympani. Damage to the lingual nerve characteristically produces a loss of
sensation and taste confined to one side of the anterior tongue without any motor
dysfunction. Although rare, lingual nerve neurapraxia is a recognised complication
Anaesthesia is induced with alfentanil, propofol and rocuronium. Maintenance of anaesthesia is with sevoflurane and remifentanil infusion. Shortly after intubation
the observations are as follows:
• Blood pressure: 220/110 mmHg
• Heart rate: 90 beats per minute
• Spo2 98%
• ETCO2 4.9 kPa
• End-tidal sevoflurane 1.9%
What is the most appropriate initial management?
A Alert radiologist
B Increase depth of anaesthesia
C Increase minute ventilation
D Give mannitol 1 g/kg
E Start intravenous esmolol infusion
E
A 10 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine with 10 μg fentanyl
B 10 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine
C 10 mL of 0.25% plain bupivacaine with 300 μg diamorphine
D 10 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine with 25 μg clonidine
E 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine
A
Which of the following is the best approach for epidural insertion?
A A midline mid-thoracic epidural under general anaesthesia
B A paramedian mid-thoracic epidural under light sedation or awake
C A paramedian lower-thoracic epidural under general anaesthesia
D A midline upper lumbar epidural under light sedation or awake
E A midline mid-thoracic epidural under light sedation or awake
B
The safest anaesthetic technique for this procedure is:
A 0.25–0.5 mg/kg intravenous ketamine
B Local anaesthesia only with no sedation
C Infusion of remifentanil at 0.25 mg/kg/min
D Target controlled infusion of propofol at a 1 mg/mL
E 0.5 μg/kg fentanyl followed after several minutes by small doses of intravenous midazolam titrated to effect
B
The key here is that the procedure (and also the positioning) itself is uncomfortable,
even with local anaesthesia infiltration. The patient also takes an opioid in the
community, and has established chronic back pain. Thus analgesia is essential.
Ketamine would provide sedation and analgesia, but the sympathomimetic effects
may be best avoided in the setting of her angina, the severity of which is not stated.
Remifentanil, despite being a nearly ideal short-acting opioid, carries the significant
risk of respiratory suppression. Thus the best combination is fentanyl, followed later
by small aliquots of midazolam.
C
A Propofol and fentanyl
B Clonidine and fentanyl
C Midazolam and fentanyl
D Ketamine and fentanyl
E Fentanyl alone
A
In hospital, a Caesarean section was performed immediately. ALS continued for a further 45 minutes without return of spontaneous circulation and a profound metabolic acidosis developed.
What now is the most appropriate management option?
A Terminate life support and organise a team debrief
B Administer thrombolysis and continue ALS
C Continue ALS until the intensive care consultant arrives
D Commence extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
E Administer 10–20 mL of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate
A
Returning to the scenario, this young woman who has had continuous CPR and has
not responded to support measures should be considered for ECMO if it is available.
To ensure the best outcome, oxygenated blood flow to the brain should be restored
as early as possible. Pregnancy is an absolute contra indication to thrombolysis as
is having a major operation within 14 days. After a rushed emergency department
cesarean section with a low cardiac output state (and therefore difficulty identifying
bleeding points) thrombolysis would have a high complication rate may only be
considered if no alternative was available.
A Unfractionated heparin loading dose followed by a pre-filter infusion
B No anti-coagulation
C Prostacyclin infusion
D Sodium citrate pre-filter infusion
E Increasing the fraction of replacement fluid added before the filter
D
Anticoagulation is required as all extra-corporeal circuits activate the clotting cascade.
Clot that forms within the catheter causes an access pressure alarm, whereas clot
that forms in the filter will cause a trans-membrane alarm. The latter will reduce the
efficiency of the filter and if it clots of completely then blood within the circuit is lost.
Non-pharmacological methods to prevent clot formation include:
• Ensure adequate driving pressure (venous pressure)
• Ensure adequate flow rates through the vascular-catheter (vascath):
–– Correct site choice (femoral preferred over right internal jugular which is in turn
preferred over left internal jugular veins)
–– Good insertion technique
–– Catheter position and care
• Adding replacement fluid before the filter (pre-dilution) lowers the haematocrit and
reduces the chance of filter clot but reduces the efficacy of the filtration process
If the patient has a coagulopathy (INR > 2, APTT > 60 seconds) no anti-coagulation is
required, however most patients require pharmacological treatment to prolong the
life of the filter.
Therefore, in this patient who has been resuscitated (which in the context of a
gastrointestinal bleed means the coagulation has been normalised), the safest
option in this case would be prostacyclin infused into the filter, which will result in
minimal systemic anti-coagulation and may be reversed by terminating the infusion.
Heparin given into the circuit still causes systemic anticoagulation and increases the
bleeding risk.
Examination, review of his blood science investigations and blood gas results are all unremarkable.
What is the most appropriate course of treatment?
A Reassure the patient regarding his situation
B Call his wife to hospital to help calm him down
C Prescribe vitamin replacement therapy and benzodiazepine sedation
D Prescribe haloperidol
E Commence sedation with clonidine
D
Table 9.2 Risk factors associated with developing delirium in critically ill patients
Patient Age
Substance abuse (alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs)
Hypertension
Depression
Existing cognitive deficiency
Sensory loss (deafness or blindness)
Clinical conditions Metabolic and electrolyte disturbances (particularly hyponatraemia)
Sepsis
Hypoxia or hypercapnia
Hypotension
Ischaemic myocardial event
Disturbances in blood glucose control
Postoperative pain, urinary retention, constipation
Iatrogenic Sedation or analgesic medication
Day-night cycle disruption
Immobilization
A Encourage her to drink coffee and 3 L of water per day
B Encourage her to drink coffee and prescribe sumatriptan
C Admit her overnight for intravenous fluid therapy, regular analgesia and
further assessment
D Offer her an epidural blood patch
E Offer her an epidural blood patch and perform routine blood cultures at the
same time
D
A
Suspecting the child has inhaled the piece of apple, the ENT team want to perform an urgent examination under anaesthesia (EUA) with a rigid bronchoscopy and removal of foreign body.
The most appropriate anaesthetic plan for this case is:
A Perform a rapid sequence induction and intubate to secure the airway
B Routine intravenous induction with muscle relaxant. Intubate and ventilate
until rigid bronchoscopy
C Routine intravenous induction with muscle relaxant. Insert a supraglottic
airway device for ventilation until rigid bronchoscopy
D Routine intravenous induction without muscle relaxant. Facemask ventilation until rigid bronchoscopy
E Inhalational anaesthetic induction and maintenance with sevoflurane, without
muscle relaxant. Maintain spontaneous respiration throughout the case
E
A Administer the MMR vaccination after induction of anaesthesia
B Ask the surgical team to administer the MMR vaccination whilst under general anaesthesia
C Ask the paediatric team to administer the MMR vaccination postoperatively prior to discharge
D Arrange for the GP to administer the MMR vaccination 4 weeks postoperatively
E Cancel the surgery until the child has had his MMR vaccination
D
C
A. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, gabapentin, MST 25 mg twice daily, Oramorph 10– 20 mg 4-hourly
B. Paracetamol, diclofenac, a morphine PCA 2 mg bolus with 5 minute lockout
C. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, gabapentin, fentanyl PCA with 25 μg bolus with 5 minute lockout
D. Paracetamol, codeine, tramadol and Oramorph 10–20 mg 4-hourly
E. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, gabapentin, Oxynorm 15 mg twice daily
A
What is the most appropriate analgesic regimen to manage his postoperative pain?
A Thoracic epidural with plain bupivacaine
B Intravenous methadone and ketamine infusion
C Oral methadone and intravenous morphine as required
D Intravenous methadone and intravenous morphine as required
E Morphine patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with a background infusion
E
Management is at a palliative stage and she is currently taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and morphine sulphate.
What is the most appropriate next step in controlling her pain?
A Internal fixation of femur
B Bisphosphonates
C Localised external beam radiotherapy
D Radioisotope treatment
E Gabapentin
B