Neuraxial Anesthesia - spinals and epidurals

Question 1

List 4 advantages of epidurals over spinals

Answer 1

1) decreased risk of post-dural puncture headache
2) lower incidence of systemic hypotension
3) ability to produce a segmental sensory block
4) greater control over the intensity of sensory anesthesia and motor block achieved by adjustment of LA concentration

Question 2

The top of the iliac crest correlates with the _________ interspace

Answer 2

L4-L5

Question 3

The major curvatures in the spine greatly affect the distribution of local anesthesia solutions in _______ anesthesia but not _______ anesthesia

Answer 3

Affects spinal, not epidural

Question 4

How many vertebrae are in the spine? How many are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral?

Answer 4

24. (29)
Cervical - 7
Thoracic - 12
Lumbar - 5
Sacral - 5 (not "true" vertebrae)