Nerve Block Exam Prep Flashcards
The adductor canal block is a modified______ nerve block that is performed more distally
femoral
The adductor canal block blocks the ______ nerve
at the _______ level, distal to the motor branches of the quadriceps
saphenous (branch of the femoral nerve)
mid-thigh
What 3 nerves does the adductor canal not block?
- femoral nerve
- lateral femoral cutaneous
- obturator nerves
What is the advantage of the adductor canal block?
preserves ALL motor function
What is the disadvantage of the adductor canal block?
only blocks the medial portion of the knee and medial lower leg (is a great option for partial knee replacement)
What surgery is the adductor canal block most popular in?
total knee replacement because it allows earlier ambulation, but it does not provide as much coverage as a femoral or fascia iliaca block (both of which are motor blocks)
The adductor canal block is supposed to be a motor sparing block, however the more _____ the block is, the more likely a motor block will occur
cephalad
In the adductor canal block, where is the ultrasound usually placed?
The ultrasound probe is usually placed above the knee on the medial side
In the adductor canal block, which 5 structures are used for anatomical landmarks?
- Sartorious
- adductor longus
- vastus medialis
- femoral artery
- femoral vein
Between which two structures is the adductor canal nerve most likely to be found?
Sartorious and Vastus medialis muscles
With the aid of US, the Saphenous Nerve presents as a hyperechoic structure anterolateral to the _____ Artery,
femoral
in the adductor canal block, local anesthetic is injected lateral to the____artery
femoral
What is the typical dose of local anesthetic for the adductor canal block?
10-15 mL
What 3 blocks are used for the airway?
Transtracheal
Superior Laryngeal
Glossopharyngeal
What nerve does the Transtracheal block?
recurrent laryngeal nerve
The transtracheal block is used for anesthesia for the ______
larynx and trachea BELOW the cords
Why do a transtracheal block and not a direct recurrent laryngeal nerve block?
Direct recurrent laryngeal nerve blocks are contraindicated on all patients due to the risk of bilateral vocal cord paralysis and airway obstruction
What two other nerve blocks is the transtracheal block used in combination with for an awake fiberoptic intubation?
superior laryngeal nerve block and glossopharyngeal nerve block
What is a complication of the transtracheal block?
posterior laryngeal wall puncture if the needle is advanced too far
The superior laryngeal nerve block is used for anesthesia ________
for the larynx ABOVE the cords (glottis closure reflex)
What is the local anesthetic dose for the superior laryngeal nerve block?
2mL of 2% Lidocaine through a 25ga needle
What are 4 complications of the superior laryngeal nerve block?
sore throat
cough
hoarseness
injection into the nearby superior laryngeal artery
What is the glossopharyngeal block most useful for?
blocking the gag reflex/oropharynx
What are the 2 ways in which a glossopharyngeal block can be achieved?
applying gauze soaked in local anesthetic directly over the nerve
OR
by direct injection of local anesthetic around the nerve
What are 3 complications of the glossopharyngeal nerve block?
dysphagia
loss of taste
throat hoarseness
What 5 different nerves does the ankle block anesthetize?
- deep peroneal
- superficial peroneal
- saphenous
- posterior tibial
- sural nerves
Ankle block:
What 4 nerves are branches of the sciatic nerve?
Deep and superficial peroneal, tibial and sural
Ankle block:
What nerve is a branch of the femoral nerve?
Saphenous
The ankle block requires ___ deep injections of which nerves?
and ____ superficial injections of which nerves?
2 deep: deep peroneal, posterior tibial
3 superficial: superficial peroneal, saphenous, sural
think everything begins with “S” for superficial
The ankle block is effective for anesthetizing the ____ but not effective for anesthetizing the ____
foot
ankle
What are the 4 major landmarks of the ankle block?
- Anterior tibial artery (deep peroneal, superficial peroneal, saphenous)
- Posterior tibial artery (posterior tibial nerve)
- Medial malleolus (saphenous, posterior tibial)
- Lateral malleolus (superficial peroneal, sural)
What are 3 contraindications to the ankle block?
- infection
- compromised circulation to the foot
- the use of epinephrine in the local anesthetic
The ankle block requires a total of _____ mL PER FOOT for a complete ankle block
____ mL of local anesthetic per nerve is sufficient enough for an effective block
15-20mL
3-5 mL
5mL for deep peroneal nerve
5mL for posterior tibial nerve
3-5mL for saphenous, superficial peroneal, and sural nerves
Ankle Block:
Which nerve anesthetizes the space between the first 2 toes?
Deep peroneal nerve
ankle block:
Which nerve anesthetizes the Dorsum of the foot and toes (except between the first two toes)
Superficial peroneal nerve
Ankle block:
Which nerve anesthetizes the Medial ankle and foot, medial sole?
saphenous nerve
Ankle block:
Which nerve anesthetizes the Lateral portion of the foot and heel, lateral/posterior sole?
Sural nerve
ankle block:
Which nerve anesthetizes
- Most of the heel
- Most of the sole (except saphenous and sural portions)
- Tips of the toes
posterior tibial nerve
The anterior suprascapular is an alternative to what block?
interscalene block
The anterior suprascapular block anesthetizes the _____ while minimizing anesthetization of the ____
shoulder
phrenic nerve
the anterior suprascapular block is an excellent choice for patients with ______
pulmonary dysfunction
research is variable about the efficacy of the anterior suprascapular block analgesia throughout the entire intraoperative period
The suprascapular nerve is a branch of ______
brachial plexus nerves C5 and C6
The suprascapular nerve can be located on ultrasound in the ______fossa, deep to the _____ muscle and lateral to the _____ and _____
supraclavicular
omohyoid
plexus
subclavian artery
Which nerves does the suprascapular block anesthetize?
nerves C5-C6
Which nerve is spared in the suprascapular block?
axillary nerve; less motor block
the axillary block is performed at the level of the _____
branches (median, radial, ulnar)
Even though it is called an “axillary” block, it does not target the axillary nerve
the musculocutaneous nerve block covers the _____
lateral forearm
Which nerve does the axillary block miss?
musculocutaneous nerve
The axillary block anesthetizes which 3 nerves?
- medial
- ulnar
- radial
What areas of the body does the axillary block anesthetize?
elbow, forearm, and hand
axillary block:
which nerve is the deepest?
radial nerve
axillary block:
the median, radial, and ulnar nerves make up the _______ around the axillary artery
neurovascular bundle
The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the______ and ______
lateral forearm
biceps brachii
Since the axillary block spares the musculocutaneous nerve, it does not anesthetize the ______
lateral forearm
What are 2 reasons a supplementary musculocutaneous nerve block should be considered?
- If the patient needs lateral forearm coverage
2. If the surgeon will be using a tourniquet on the forearm for hand surgery
what is the advantage of the axillary block over the supraclavicular or infraclavicular technique?
reduced risk of pneumothorax and phrenic nerve paralysis
What is the major landmark of the axillary block?
palpation of the axillary arterial pulse
The landmark of the musculocutaneous nerve is found between the _____muscle and the ______
coracobrachialis
biceps brachii
With the transarterial technique for the axillary block, how much local anesthetic is administered?
30-40 mL
with the US technique of the axillary block, how much local anesthetic is administered?
at least 20 mL
(5-7 mL per nerve)
What are 2 contraindications to the axillary block?
- axillary lymphadenopathy
2. preexisting neurologic disease of the upper extremity.
Digital block:
The anterior/ventral side of the hand/digits are innervated by what two nerves?
median and ulnar nerves
Digital block:
The posterior/dorsal side of the hand/digits are innervated by what two nerves?
ulnar and radial nerve
each digit has ____ nerves and each is accompanied by an ______
4
artery
The palmar digital nerves are branches of the____ and ____ nerves
median and ulnar nerves
The dorsal digital nerves are branches of the_____ and ____ nerves
radial and ulnar nerves
All digital blocks carry a risk of ______ if too high a volume of local anesthetic is administered
compartment syndrome
How much local anesthetic should be injected for finger blocks and small toe blocks
≤ 4mL
hoe much local anesthetic should be injected for great toe blocks?
≤ 6mL
When should a digital block be avoided?
When there is evidence of compromised circulation
Which drug in the local anesthetic solution should be avoided in digit blocks?
epinephrine
Rate the blocks in order of most painful to least painful for digital blocks:
Ring block
Transthecal approach
Subcutaneous volar injection
- Transthecal approach (most painful)
- Ring block
- Subcutaneous volar injection (least painful)
The ring block requires ____ injections:
Where is local anesthetic injected?
How much local anesthetic is injected?
2
Local is injected above and on both sides of the digit
Use a max volume of 2mL on each side of the finger, for a total max volume of 4mL per finger
the transthecal volar approach requires ____ injections:
Where is the needle inserted?
If there is pressure during injection, you are in the _______, and should simply withdraw the needle until no pressure is felt
how much local anesthetic is injected?
one
Needle is inserted at the distal palmar crease
flexor tendon
2-3mL per digit
The subcutaneous volar block requires ______injections
where is the needle inserted?
At what depth is local anesthetic injected?
How much local anesthetic is injected?
one
Needle is inserted at the proximal flexion crease of the digit (where the finger meets the palm)
The local is injected at subcutaneous depth
2-3 mL per digit
What 3 nerves does the Fascia Iliaca block anesthetize?
- femoral
- lateral femoral cutaneous
- obturator nerves
single injection
what are the 3 landmarks for the fascia iliaca block?
- Anterior superior iliac spine
- Ipsilateral pubic tubercle
- Femoral arterial pulse
What 4 areas does the fascia iliaca block?
- Hip & knee joints
- Anterior knee & medial posterior knee
- Femur, anterior thigh, and lateral thigh
- Medial lower leg and medial foot
Compared with the femoral nerve block, the fascia iliaca block provides better coverage to the______ and _______
lateral femoral cutaneous
obturator nerves
fascia iliaca block needle insertion:
- Draw a line between the_______and _____
- Mark a point on that line ____the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine, and insert the needle 1cm (caudad/cephalad) to that point
- Advance the needle until two distinct pops are felt as it perforates the ____ and_____
- anterior superior iliac spine and ipsilateral pubic tubercle
- 1/3, caudal
- fascia lata, fascia iliaca
how much local anesthetic is injected for a fascia iliaca block?
A total of 30-40mL of local anesthetic should be injected between the fascia iliaca and iliacus muscle
What 3 nerves does the femoral block anesthetize?
- femoral
- lateral femoral cutaneous
- obturator nerves
Anesthetizes:
1. Hip & knee joints
2. Anterior knee & medial posterior knee
3. Femur, anterior thigh, and lateral thigh
4. Medial lower leg, ankle, medial foot
What 2 landmarks are used for the femoral block?
navel
inguinal ligament
For the femoral block, always insert the needle (medially/ laterally) to the femoral artery during palpitation
laterally
During a femoral nerve block, what two twitches are we looking for?
a patellar and quadriceps twitch
If sartorius muscle twitching is observed (lateral to medial diagonal muscle twitch), the needle should be redirected laterally (closer to the femoral nerve) until the patellar twitch is observed
the femoral nerve block commonly uses_____mL of local anesthetic w/ _______
15-20 mL
1:200,000 Epi
If a continuous nerve block catheter is used for a femoral nerve block, it should be removed within _____ (due to infection risk)
48 hours
Block of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves results in anesthesia of what 3 regions? the hypogastric region, the inguinal crease, the upper medial thigh
- the hypogastric region
- the inguinal crease
- the upper medial thigh
What types of surgeries is the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal block used for?
The block is indicated for inguinal hernia repair and other inguinal surgeries, including orchiopexy, hydrocele repair, and varicocele repair
Correct injectate placement for the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal block is between the _______and ________ around the Ilioinguinal & Iliohypogastric nerves
transversus abdominis
internal oblique muscle planes
Where is the ultrasound probe placed for the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal block?
over the superior anterior iliac spine
What are the 2 complications of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal block
- transient femoral nerve palsy
2. deep circumflex iliac artery puncture
What areas does an intercostal nerve block anesthetize?
areas of the chest wall
What 2 nerves does the intercostal nerve block anesthetize?
anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerve
What are 2 possible indications to use an intercostal block?
thoracotomy or mastectomy
What dermatomes should an intercostal block include?
2 dermatomes above and below the surgical incision site
Intercostal block needle insertion is very (deep/shallow) (1 cm until you hit bone), and should be inserted in a (cephalad/caudad) position
shallow
cephalad
The distance to the pleura is 8mm deep to the rib, so avoid pneumothorax
The intercostal block is commonly performed 6-8 cm (lateral/medial) to the ______(angle of the rib) where rib is easy to palpate and the costal groove is the widest
lateral
spinous processes
intercostal block:
behind the rib, what is the order from superior to inferior of the artery, vein, and nerve?
vein, artery, nerve
Out of all the peripheral nerve blocks, the intercostal block results in the (highest/lowest) blood level of local anesthetic per volume injected
highest
(carries the highest local anesthetic toxicity risk)
What levels do the intercostal nerves expand?
T1-T12
The block is more complicated above ____ because the scapula prevents access to the ribs
T7
Which block is an alternative approach to the intercostal block for anesthetizing the intercostal nerves?
The paravertebral block
It blocks the intercostal nerves within the paravertebral space (wedge shaped spaced on either side of the vertebral column)
in the paravertebral block:
- the needle is inserted until it hits the _____
- It is then “walked off” the transverse process in a ______ direction and advanced ____
3 .tip of the needle is placed in the _____
- transverse process
- cephalad, 1cm
- paravertebral space
The interscalene block targets the brachial plexus at the level of the _____
ROOTS
the interscalene block anesthetizes _____, but not _____
C5-T1
C8-T1
The interscalene block is a _____ sparing block
ulnar
What 3 areas does the interscalene block anesthetize?
- shoulder
- upper arm (lateral 2/3 of clavicle)
- lateral arm/hand
What areas does the interscalene block NOT anesthetize?
- medial arm
- hand
- elbow
in the interscalene block:
The needle is inserted in the ______ (located between the anterior and middle scalene muscles; just (lateral/medial) to the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid) and at the level of the ______ (C6)
interscalene groove
lateral
cricoid cartilage
in the interscalene block:
The scalene groove is often palpated just in front or behind the ________
external jugular vein
What is the most common complication of the interscalene block?
ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paresis
What type of patients should an interscalene block be avoided?
patients with any degree of pulmonary disease
What are 5 other complications of an interscalene block?
- . Can cause Horner’s Syndrome, including: miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis
- Possible pneumothorax
- Possible hoarseness due to possible blockage of the recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Possible accidental epidural or subarachnoid injection
- Vertebral artery injection, leading to immediate seizure
“As little as 1mL of local anesthetic into the vertebral artery may induce a seizure”