Medications in Anaesthetics/Acute Care

Question 1

What medications should be stopped on the day of surgery?

Answer 1

ACEIs and anti-coagulation (except aspirin)

Question 2

How many days before surgery should warfarin be withheld?

Answer 2

5 days

Question 3

When should the INR be checked before surgery?

Answer 3

The day before to allow time for interventions

Question 4

How low does the INR need to be to proceed with the operation without vitamin K?

Answer 4

<1.5 (there are some exceptions like endoscopy/colonoscopy, dental work etc)

Question 5

Will vitamin K reverse coagulopathy in an emergency setting

Answer 5

No - you need FFP

Question 6

How long should clopidogrel be stopped before surgery?

Answer 6

7 days

Question 7

How do you convert oral morphine to IV

Answer 7

Iv dose is half the oral dose

Question 8

How do you convert oral morphine to oxycodone?

Answer 8

Oral oxycodone dose is half the oral morphine dose

Question 9

What is the antidote to paracetamol?

Answer 9

Parvolex (acetylcysteine)

Question 10

What is the antidote to propanalol?

Answer 10

Glucagon

Question 11

What is the antidote to amitriptyline?

Answer 11

Bicarbonate

Question 12

What is the antidote to lignocaine?

Answer 12

Intralipid

Question 13

What is the antidote to opiates?

Answer 13

Naloxone 400mcg IV

Question 14

What is the antidote to ethylene glycol (antifreeze)?

Answer 14

Ethanol