PEDS Flashcards
- A 1-month-old infant with a strong family history of sickle-cell anemia is brought to the emergency room with an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Which of the following should be carried out before surgery?
A. Sickle cell prep
B. Hemoglobin electrophoresis
C. Peripheral smear
D. Hematology consultation E. Noneoftheabove
- (E)
Answers, References, and Explanations
At birth, the concentration of hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin) is about 80% and reaches its lowest level by 2 to 3 months of age. Sickle-cell anemia (hemoglobin SS) is an inherited disorder of the β-chain of the adult hemo- globin molecule caused by a single amino acid substitution. It has an incidence of about 0.2% in the African- American population, in contrast to the relatively benign heterozygous condition, sickle cell trait (hemoglobin AS), which affects 8% to 10% of the same group. Sickling can occur in homozygous patients who become hypoxic, acidotic, hypothermic, or dehydrated. The predominant hemoglobin in this 1-month-old infant is hemoglobin F, which would temporarily protect the infant from the manifestations of sickle-cell anemia were he or she homozygous for hemoglobin S. The patient should, however, be worked up for sickle-cell anemia at some point in early life, but such a workup is not a prerequisite for surgery at 1 month of age (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 1112-1113; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 49, 397-398; Stoelting: Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 411-412).
- In the newborn, the cricoid cartilage is at which level relative to the cervical spine? A. C3
B. C4 C. C5 D. C6 E. C7
(B)The anatomy of the oropharynx and larynx of the newborn is different from that of the adult in many aspects. These differences may make it more difficult for a successful direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. New- borns have larger arytenoids and tongue, and the lower border of the cricoid cartilage is at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra. (At age 6 years the cricoid cartilage is opposite the fifth cervical vertebra and in adults the cricoid cartilage is opposite the sixth cervical vertebra.) Additionally, the epiglottis of the infant is relatively larger and stiffer compared with the adult (Barash: Clinical Anesthesia ed 5, p 1186; Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 1646-1647; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, p 339).
- A 5-month-old infant is scheduled for an elective operative reduction of a right inguinal hernia. Spinal anesthesia is performed. The first sign of a high spinal in this patient would be
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoxia D. Bradycardia E. Asystole
- (C)Spinal anesthesia can be administered safely to children of all ages. Hypotension secondary to a loss of sympa- thetic tone, common in the adult, is rare in the child younger than 5 years even with levels of T-3. Because of this hemodynamic stability, some pediatric anesthesiologists start an IV line after the spinal anesthetic is admin- istered to the infant. Respiratory depression including apnea and hypoxia will likely be the initial symptom asso- ciated with a high spinal anesthetic in the infant (Barash: Clinical Anesthesia, ed 5, pp 1191-1192; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 465-468).
- What percentage of a term newborn’s total body weight consists of water? A. 25%
B. 40% C. 60% D. 75% E. 90%
- (D)The body compartment volumes change with age. Muscle contains about 75% water, whereas adipose tissue contains only 10% water. Total body water (TBW) decreases with age as muscle and fat content increases. The fraction of total body weight that consists of water is 80% to 85% in premature newborns, 75% in term new- borns, and 60% in 6-month-old infants and in adults. These alterations in body composition have implications on the volume of distribution and redistribution of drugs (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 1764, 2371; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 115-116).
- What is the maximum Fio2 that can be administered to the mother without increasing the risk of retinopathy of pre- maturity in the fetus in utero?
A. 0.35 B. 0.50 C. 0.65 D. 0.80 E. 1.0
- (E)The fetal Pao2 does not increase above 45 mm Hg when 100% O2 is administered to the mother because of the high O2 consumption of the placenta and uneven distribution of the maternal and fetal blood flow in the placenta. For these reasons, the Fio2 administered to the mother is not a factor in the etiology of retinopathy of prematurity in utero (Hughes: Shnider and Levinson’s Anesthesia for Obstetrics, ed 4, p 222).
- Which of the following patients is LEAST likely to develop retinopathy of prematurity?
A. A term infant, 46 weeks postconceptual age, exposed to 100% oxygen for 6 hours
B. A premature infant 29 weeks postconceptual age exposed to a Pao2 of 150 mm Hg for 1 hour
C. A premature infant 28 weeks postconceptual age never exposed to supplemental oxygen
D. A cyanotic infant with tetralogy of Fallot, 34 weeks postconceptual age, receiving supplemental oxygen E. Aterminfantat39weekspostconceptualagereceiving100%oxygenfor2hoursafterbirth
- (A)Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), formally called retrolental fibroplasia, typically occurs in newborns who are born at less than 35 weeks of gestational age. The risk of ROP is inversely related to age and birth weight, with a significant risk occurring in infants weighing less than 1500 g. The risk is negligible after 44 weeks postcon- ceptional age. The mechanism for retrolental fibroplasia is complex and is related to the complicated process of retinal development and maturation. Under normal circumstances, retinal vasculature develops from the optic disk toward the periphery of the retina. This process is typically complete by 40 to 44 weeks of gestation. Hyperoxia causes constriction of the retinal arterioles, resulting in swelling and degeneration of the endothe- lium that disrupts normal retinal development. Vascularization of the retina resumes in an abnormal fashion when normoxic conditions return, resulting in neovascularization and scarring of the retina. In the worst-case scenario, this process can lead to retinal detachment and blindness. Consequently, hyperoxia should be avoidedwhen anesthetizing preterm infants. Exposure of preterm infants to Pao2 greater than 80 mm Hg for prolonged periods may be associated with increased incidence and severity of retinopathy. To reduce this risk, it is recom- mended that the oxygen saturation be maintained between 93% and 95% (about Pao2 of 70 mm Hg) during anesthesia. On the other hand, one must never compromise O2 delivery to the neonate’s brain to protect the eyes. Although oxygen has been associated with ROP, other factors are also important. In fact, newborns with cyanotic congenital heart disease who have not been exposed to supplemental oxygen therapy have also devel- oped ROP (Barash: Clinical Anesthesia, ed 5, p 1193; Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 588-589; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 781-782).
- A 5-week-old male infant is brought to the emergency room with projectile vomiting. At the time of admission the patient is lethargic with a respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min and has had no urine output in the preceding 3 hours. A diagnosis of pyloric stenosis is made and the patient is brought to the operating room (OR) for pyloromyotomy. The most appropriate anesthetic management would be
A. Induction with IM ketamine, glycopyrrolate, and succinylcholine with cricoid pressure followed by immediate intubation
B. Inhalation induction with halothane with cricoid pressure
C. Awake intubation
D. Awake saphenous IV catheter followed by rapid sequence induction with ketamine, atropine, and succinylcholine
E. Postponesurgery
- (E)This patient has signs consistent with severe dehydration and needs resuscitation with fluid and electrolytes before surgery. Surgery should be delayed until there is thorough evaluation and treatment of the fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Pyloric stenosis occurs in approximately 1 in every 500 live births, making it the most common cause of gastrointestinal obstruction in pediatric patients. Pyloric stenosis occurs as frequently in preterm as in term neonates and there is a predilection for male infants. Persistent vomiting usually manifests itself between the second and sixth weeks of age and can result in dehydration, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and metabolic alkalosis. Fluid resuscitation should be initiated with isotonic saline. If an IV line catheter cannot be established, an intraosseous needle should be placed. After the patient voids, potassium then can be safely added to the IV fluids. Once there has been adequate hydration and correction of the electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities, the patient can undergo surgery. Although several days may be required to restore normal fluid and electrolyte balance in some children, most respond within 12 to 48 hours (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 599-600; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 690-691).
- Which figure of esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula is the most common?
- (C)Esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) result from failure of the esophagus and the trachea to completely separate during development. This lesion occurs with an incidence of approximately 1 in 4000 live births. Although each of the listed answers is possible, the most common type is esophageal atresia with the lower segment of the esophagus communicating with the back of the trachea. This occurs in about 90% of all TEFs. In the delivery room, one is unable to pass a suction catheter into the stomach and if an x-ray is taken, the presence of air in the stomach suggests a fistula between the trachea and the stomach. If it is not detected in the delivery room, the newborn tends to have excessive oral secretions and is unable to feed. Note: 20% to 25% of patients with EA or TEF have associated cardiovascular anomalies (e.g., ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), tetralogy of Fallot, atrioventricular (AV) canal, coarctation of the aorta) (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 595-596; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 550-552).
- A 4-year-old boy is scheduled for completion of a hypospadias repair. The child is anxious. He has a history of a viral illness with a cough 2 weeks before surgery that has resolved. Anesthesia is induced with halothane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen. During the inhalation induction the patient’s rhythm changes from sinus tachycardia to multifocal ventricu- lar ectopy. The most likely explanation for this patient’s heart rhythm is
A. Undiagnosed viral myocarditis B. Hypoxia
C. Halothane irritability
D. Pheochromocytoma
E. ProlongedQTsyndrome
- (C)Volatile anesthetics, particularly halothane, can have significant adverse effects on cardiac heart rate and rhythm. Halothane may cause direct depression of the sinoatrial node and has been shown to increase the refractory period of the atrioventricular conduction system. Both bradydysrhythmias and tachydysrhythmias have been reported during inhalation induction of anesthesia with halothane. These include sinus bradycardia, nodal or junctional rhythms, and ventricular dysrhythmias. Whereas cardiac dysrhythmias after inhalation induction with halothane are common in children, they are usually benign and do not represent a disease state. Halothane “sensitizes” the myocardium to catecholamines, particularly in the presence of hypoxia, acute hypercarbia, and acidosis. Under these conditions, ventricular rhythms such as bigeminy, multifocal ventricular ectopic beats, and even ventricular tachycardia may occur (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 2373-2374).
- Preterm neonates are at an increased risk for retinopathy of prematurity until what postconceptual age? A. 36 weeks
B. 38 weeks C. 42 weeks D. 44 weeks E. 60weeks
- (D)The risk of developing ROP is negligible after 44 weeks postconceptional age. Thus, a preterm neonate born at 36 weeks gestational age remains at risk until after 8 weeks of age. See also explanation to question 572 (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 588-589; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 781-782).
- Reasons for selecting a cuffed endotracheal tube over an uncuffed endotracheal tube include all of the following EXCEPT
A. Fewer intubations and endotracheal tubes are needed B. Lower gas flows can be used
C. Less chance for airway fires
D. Spontaneous breathing is easier
E. Aspirationofgastriccontentsislesslikely
- (D)Since cuffed endotracheal tubes are often chosen to be a size smaller (i.e., 0.5 mm) than uncuffed endotracheal tubes, the lumen is narrower and therefore spontaneous breathing is more difficult. Because a smaller endo- tracheal tube can be used with a cuff, fewer intubations are needed to select the correct tube size. Also because of the cuff, less leakage of gas exists from the trachea into the pharynx, allowing administration of lower gas flows with potential cost savings as well as less environmental pollution. The gases are less likely to leak into the pharynx and should decrease the chance of an airway fire if high oxygen or nitrous oxide concentrations are used and cautery is used in the oral cavity. The chance of aspiration of gastric contents should also be less likely (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 334-336, 343-346).
- An otherwise healthy 4-year-old male patient is undergoing elective tonsillectomy. Before induction of general anes- thesia, the patient is breathing at a rate of 20 breaths/min. An inhalation induction is begun with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen. Sixty seconds later, the patient is noted to breathe at a rate of 40 breaths/min. This rapid respira- tory rate most likely represents
A. Hypoxia
B. Hypercarbia
C. The excitement stage of anesthesia D. Malignant hyperthermia
E. Pulmonaryembolism
- (C)Inhalation agents are respiratory depressants. In general, they increase the respiratory rate and decrease the Vt of respirations and are associated with an increase in Paco2. When inducing a child with an inhalation agent, especially below the MAC level, the respiratory pattern can vary and include breath holding, excessive hyper- ventilation and laryngospasm. Although the stages of inhalation anesthesia were classically described with ether, similar stages are seen with the newer inhalation agents, but because the signs are less pronounced they are rarely described anymore. The classic stages of depth of ether anesthesia include the first stage of anesthesia (analge- sia). Patients in the first stage can respond to verbal stimulation, have an intact lid reflex, have normal respira- tory patterns, and intact airway reflexes and have some analgesia. The second stage of anesthesia (delirium or excitement stage) is associated with unconsciousness, irregular and unpredictable respiratory patterns (including hyperventilation), nonpurposeful muscle movements, and the risk of clinically important reflex activity (e.g., laryngospasm, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias). The third stage of anesthesia (surgical anesthesia) is associated with a return to more regular periodic respirations and is the level associated with the achievement of MAC. MAC is noted by the absence of movement (in 50% of patients) in response to a surgical incision. As anesthesia is deepened, stage four (respiratory paralysis) is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular arrest. In the case cited in this question, the second stage of anesthesia is demonstrated. Note: Malignant hyperthermia triggered by the sole use of volatile anesthetics (especially halothane) produces an elevation of carbon dioxide levels with tachypnea and tachycardia, but this is rare during the first 20 minutes of an anesthetic (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, p 706; Morgan: Clinical Anesthesiology, ed 4, pp 934-935).
- A healthy 1-month-old neonate is anesthetized for an inguinal hernia repair. An inhalation induction with sevoflurane is carried out and the patient is intubated. Before making the surgical incision the systolic blood pressure is noted to be 65 mm Hg and the heart rate is 130 beats/min. The most appropriate intervention for this patient’s blood pressure would be
A. Administration of ephedrine
B. Administration of phenylephrine C. 50-mL fluid bolus
D. Administration of epinephrine E. Noneoftheabove
- (E)The hemodynamic indices described in this question are normal for healthy 1-month-old neonates (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 89-91; Stoelting: Basics of Anesthesia, ed 5, pp 508-509).
- A 5-year-old boy is anesthetized for elective repair of an umbilical hernia. General anesthesia is induced and main- tained with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen via an anesthesia mask. At the conclusion of the operation, the patient is taken to the recovery room and subsequently discharged to the outpatient ward. Before discharge, the patient’s mother noted that the urine was dark brown in appearance. The most appropriate action at this time would be
A. Discharge the patient with instructions to return if urine color does not normalize
B. Discharge the patient in 3 hours if no other signs or symptoms are manifested
C. Obtain serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and discharge the patient if they are normal
D. Admit the patient to rule out acute tubular necrosis
E. Evaluatethepatientformalignanthyperthermia
- (E)The presence of dark brown urine (i.e., myoglobinemia) may be caused by rhabdomyolysis, a possible sign of malig- nant hyperthermia. More typical signs and symptoms include tachycardia, tachypnea, acidosis, increased sympa- thetic activity, and increased temperature. Accordingly, this patient should be evaluated for malignant hyperthermia. Supportive laboratory tests for malignant hyperthermia include elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK); myo- globin in the serum and urine; increased serum potassium, calcium, and lactate levels; and a metabolic/respiratory acidosis on an arterial blood gas. If the presumed diagnosis is malignant hyperthermia, therapy should be initiated (Barash: Clinical Anesthesia, ed 5, pp 531-532; Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 620-622).
- At what inspiratory pressure should an endotracheal tube leak in an infant? A. 5to15cmH2O
B. 15to25cmH2O C. 25to35cmH2O D. 35to45cmH2O E. 45to55cmH2O
- (B)In infants and young children, there should be a small air leak around the endotracheal tube at peak infla- tion pressures of approximately 15 to 25 cm H2O. This test can be performed by slowly increasing the airway pressure and listening with a stethoscope over the larynx to hear when a leak develops. An air leak within this pressure range allows for adequate ventilation and reduces the incidence of postintubation croup (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 335-337).
- A premature newborn delivered at 32 weeks of gestation is brought to the OR for repair of a left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. After awake tracheal intubation, general anesthesia is maintained with halothane, O2, and fen- tanyl. Shortly thereafter, the anesthesiologist notes difficulty with ventilation. The Sao2 subsequently falls to 65% and the heart rate decreases to 50 beats/min. What would be the most appropriate step to take at this time?
A. Pull the endotracheal tube from the right mainstem bronchus
B. Ventilate with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and administer furosemide C. Passanoralgastrictubetodecompressthestomach
D. Place a chest tube on the right side
E. Pullouttheendotrachealtubeandreintubatethepatient
- (D)A congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is the herniation of abdominal viscera into the chest cavity through a defect in the diaphragm and occurs in approximately 1 in every 4000 live births. Approximately 90% of CDHs occur through a defect in the left side of the diaphragm. Symptoms depend upon the degree of herniation and the amount of respiratory compromise. Some newborns deteriorate in the delivery room whereas others dete- riorate hours later. Immediate intubation of the trachea and decompression of the stomach are needed. Because CDH is associated with hypoplastic lungs, current ventilatory support aims at maintaining a preductal oxygen saturation above 90% using airway pressure below 35 cm H2O and allowing the Paco2 to rise to 60 to 65 mm Hg. If a patient experiences sudden oxygen desaturation during positive-pressure ventilation, a tension pneu- mothorax should be suspected and, if confirmed, a chest tube should be placed on the side contralateral to the congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Despite intensive treatments, about 40% to 50% of these newborns will die in the newborn period (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 593-594; Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 2396-2397; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 545-550).
- Symptoms of infantile pyloric stenosis occur most frequently between the ages of A. 1 and 2 weeks
B. 2and6weeks
C. 6 and 12 weeks D. 3 and 6 months E. 6and12months
- (B)Infantile pyloric stenosis is one of the most common surgical diseases of neonates and infants. It occurs in about 1 of every 500 live births. Symptoms usually appear between 2 and 6 weeks of age, but they have been diagnosed as early as the first week and as late as the fifth month of life (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, p 2395; Motoyama: Smith’s Anes- thesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 690-691; Stoelting: Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 599-600).
- In a 12-year-old child, the length of an oral endotracheal tube (from the lips to the midtrachea) should be A. 12 cm
B. 14cm C. 16cm D. 18 cm E. 20cm
- (D)The depth of insertion of an oral endotracheal tube from the lips to the midtrachea is approximately 7 cm for a 1-kg newborn, 8 cm for a 2-kg, 9 cm for 3-kg and 10 cm for a typical 3.5-kg term newborn. There are many ways to estimate the appropriate depth of insertion of an oral endotracheal tube (in cm) for infants and children.
One method is age (>3 years): (Age in years)/2 + 12 = tube length
In this 12-year-old child: 12/2 + 12 = 18 cm.
Another way is to multiply the tube size by 3. For example when you use a size 4.0 ID endotracheal tube, insert it 12 cm; a size 6.0 endotracheal tube is inserted 18 cm (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 337-338).
- In which of the following conditions would a preoperative evaluation of the heart with echocardiogram be indicated before anesthesia and surgery?
A. Necrotizing enterocolitis B. Pyloric stenosis
C. Gastroschisis
D. Omphalocele
E. Hypospadias
- (D)The preanesthetic assessment of neonates with an omphalocele or an imperforate anus should include an assess- ment for other abnormalities including congenital heart disease. Omphalocele is associated with a 20% inci- dence of congenital heart disease, as well as several other congenital anomalies. Conversely, the other conditions in this question are rarely associated with other congenital anomalies. Recall that children with tracheal esopha- geal fistulas also have a 20% incidence of major cardiovascular anomalies (see answer 574) (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 2395-2396, 2864).
- An otherwise healthy 14-day-old neonate is transported to the OR well hydrated for surgery for a bowel obstruction. A rapid sequence induction is planned. Compared with the adult dose, the dose of succinylcholine administered to this patient should be
A. Diminished because of the immature nervous system
B. The same as the adult dose
C. Increased because of increased acetylcholine receptors D. Decreased because of decreased acetylcholine receptors E. Increasedbecauseofagreatervolumeofdistribution
- (E)Neonates and infants (
- The most common cause of neonatal bradycardia (heart rate less than 100 beats/min) is A. Congenital heart disease
B. Maternal drug intoxication (narcotics, alcohol, magnesium, barbiturates, digitoxin) C. Fever
D. Postpartum cold stress
E. Hypoxemia
- (E)Heart rates less than 100 beats/min are poorly tolerated in the neonate because of the reduced cardiac output and poor tissue perfusion that develops. Congenital heart disease, such as congenital heart block or congenital heart failure, is rare and can be diagnosed by neonatal electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Maternal medica- tions during labor and delivery rarely cause bradycardia, however, fetal distress as a result of hypoxia may. Fever tends to cause tachycardia. Cold stress of the neonate may lead to hypoxemia, which will promote persistence of the fetal circulation, which is why a neutral thermal environment to minimize heat loss is important. However, the most common cause of neonatal bradycardia in the delivery room is respiratory failure resulting in hypoxia and acidosis. In the operating room, bradycardia results from hypoxia, vagal stimulation and the depressant effects of anesthetic agents (e.g., halothane), which can lead to cardiac arrest (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 1128-1131).
- A 10-week-old infant born at 31 weeks of gestation is anesthetized for repair of an inguinal hernia. General anesthesia is induced by mask with sevoflurane, an endotracheal tube is placed, and anesthesia is maintained with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen. At the end of the procedure, the endotracheal tube is removed and the patient is trans- ported to the recovery room. What is the best postoperative pain management for this patient?
A. Ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block and discharge home with instructions to parents
B. Caudal block with 0.25% bupivacaine, 1 mL/kg, and admit to a pediatric ward for overnight observation C. Caudal block with 0.25% bupivacaine, 2 mL/kg, and admit to a pediatric ward for overnight observation D. Oral pain medication and discharge home with instructions to the parent
E. Fentanyl,1mLIV,andadmittoapediatricwardforovernightobservation
- (B)Apnea spells are defined as cessation of breathing for at least 20 seconds and are often accompanied by bradycardia and/or cyanosis. Infants (especially former premature newborns) younger than 60 weeks postconceptual age are at risk for apnea after general anesthesia. These patients should be admitted to the hospital and have at least 12 apnea-free hours of monitoring before discharge. This child was born at 31 weeks estimated gestational age and is now 10 weeks old or is 41 weeks postconceptual age and needs to be admitted. Of the postoperative analgesia plans listed with overnight observation, answer B is the most appropriate. Answers C and E include analgesic doses that are too high (Barash: Clinical Anesthesia, ed 5, pp 1192-1193; Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 1732-1736, 2397-2399).
- A 6-year-old, 20-kg girl develops pulseless ventricular tachycardia after induction of anesthesia with halothane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen for a tonsillectomy. The anesthesiologist intubates the child, administers 100% oxygen, and starts chest compressions. When the defibrillator quickly arrives in the OR the defibrillator should be charged to what energy level for the initial shock?
A. 20 joules (J) B. 40 joules (J) C. 60 joules (J) D. 80 joules (J) E. 120joules(J)
- (B)The treatment for documented ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia is electrical defibril- lation as soon as possible. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed until the defibrillator arrives, then defi- brillation is attempted. With manual defibrillators (monophasic or biphasic) the initial dose should be 2 J/kg, increasing to 4 J/kg for subsequent shocks. In this 20-kg child the initial dose is 20 × 2 J/kg = 40 J. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be safely used in children 1 to 8 years of age. If using an AED, it is best to use one with a pediatric attenuator system, which decreases the delivered energy to doses appropriate for children (2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation 112, pp IV 172-IV 175).
- The spinal cord of newborns extends to the A. L1 vertebra
B. L2 vertebra C. L3 vertebra D. L5 vertebra E. S1vertebra
- (C)The position of the inferior end of the spinal cord in relation to the vertebral column and meninges at various stages of development: A, Eight weeks; B, 24 weeks; C, newborn; D, 8-year-old child and adult. The spinal cord of newborns can extend as far down as L3. Therefore, lumbar puncture should be performed in these patients no higher than the L4-L5 interspace (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 465-468).
- The most common initial symptom of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is A. Respiratory distress at delivery (e.g., retractions, tachypnea)
B. Pneumonia
C. Hypoxia
D. Regurgitation during feeding E. Projectilevomiting
- (D)Esophageal atresia (EA) and TEF are frequently suspected soon after birth when excessive oral secretions, drooling, or coughing are noted and an oral suction catheter cannot be passed into the stomach. Because passage of an oral gastric tube is not routine in many centers, the first manifestation of esophageal atresia occurs when the newborn has trouble breathing (e.g., coughing) and regurgitates with the first feeding. After the diagnosis is made, these patients should be placed in the head-up position and the blind upper pouch of the esophagus should be decompressed with a suction tube immediately to reduce pulmonary aspiration of secretions. Other abnormalities associated with EA and TEF include VACTERL (Vertebral abnormalities, imperforate Anus, Congenital heart disease, Tracheoesophageal fistula, Renal abnormalities, Limb abnor- malities) (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, pp 595-596; Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, p 2396).
- A 4-kg, 3-hour-old newborn with macrosomia and large fontanelles is scheduled for surgical repair of an omphalocele. Physical examination reveals macroglossia but no other anomalies are found. Which of the following is likely to occur in this patient? A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metabolic acidosis D. Hypoxemia
E. Hypoglycemia
- (E)Omphalocele is the external herniation of abdominal viscera through the base of the umbilical cord. It occurs in about 1 of 5000 cases. Thirty percent of these newborns will die in the neonatal period, primarily from cardiac defects or prematurity. Some of these newborns with omphalocele have a syndrome called Beckwith-Wiede- mann syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by omphalocele, organomegaly, macrosomia, large fontanelles, macroglossia, polycythemia, and hypoglycemia. These patients may be very difficult to intubate because of their significant macroglossia (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, p 596; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, p 1215).
- Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate technique for induction of general anesthesia in a newborn for surgical repair of TEF?
A. Awake tracheal intubation
B. Inhalation induction with spontaneous ventilation and tracheal intubation
C. Inhalation induction using positive-pressure bag and mask ventilation and tracheal intubation D. Rapid IV induction and tracheal intubation
E. Intramuscularinductionwithhigh-doseketamineandtrachealintubation
- (C)Anesthesia for patients with EA and TEF can be safely induced with either an intravenous or volatile anesthetic. However, positive-pressure bag and mask ventilation will force gas into the stomach, potentially making ventila- tion of the lungs more difficult and should be avoided. A frequently used technique to facilitate correct place- ment of the endotracheal tube is to advance the tube into a bronchus. While listening over the stomach, slowly withdraw the tube until breath sounds are heard over the stomach. Advance the tube until these sounds become diminished (Hines: Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease, ed 5, p 596; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 551-552).
- Each of the following statements concerning side effects of succinylcholine when used to paralyze neonates is true EXCEPT
A. It seldom causes muscle fasciculation
B. It can cause bradycardia
C. Dysrhythmias frequently occur following intramuscular injections D. It can cause myoglobinuria
E. Itcancausehyperkalemia
- (C)Unlike adults, neonates and infants seldom have muscle fasciculations with succinylcholine. The most frequently encountered side effect associated with succinylcholine in neonates and infants is bradycardia, especially when succinylcholine is given intravenously. The incidence of bradydysrhythmias is significantly decreased when the succinylcholine is administered intramuscularly. Other side effects include rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, hyperkalemia, and malignant hyperthermia (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 2378-2379; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthe- sia for Infants and Children, ed 7, pp 219-220).
- The predicted blood volume in a 4-kg neonate is A. 240 mL
B. 280 mL C. 340 mL D. 400 mL E. 440mL
- (C)The estimated blood volume (EBV) of healthy full-term neonates is approximately 80 to 90 mL/kg. For this 4-kg neonate the volume is 320 to 360 mL. Premature newborns have an EBV of 90 to 100 mL/kg, whereas the 3- to 12-month-old infant has an EBV of 75 to 80 mL/kg (Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, p 367; Stoelting: Basics of Anesthesia, ed 5, p 510).
- The pulmonary vascular resistance in newborns decreases to that of adults by age A. 1 day
B. 1 week C. 2 months D. 2 years E. 5years
- (C)In the fetus, pulmonary vascular resistance is extremely high. Most of the right ventricular output in utero bypasses the lungs and flows into the descending aorta through the ductus arteriosus. With the onset of ventila- tion at birth the pulmonary vascular resistance suddenly decreases, enabling blood to flow more easily through the lungs. Pulmonary vascular resistance continues to decrease after birth reaching adult levels by 2 to 3 months of life. This is when children with left-to-right cardiac shunts increase their shunts making symptoms of conges- tive heart failure (CHF) more apparent. The increase in Pao2 not only acts as a pulmonary artery vasodilator (along with the lowering of the Paco2) but also acts as a vasoconstrictor to the ductus arteriosus (thus further assisting the change from the fetal to the adult circulation) (Miller: Anesthesia, ed 6, pp 2833-2834; Motoyama: Smith’s Anesthesia for Infants and Children, ed 7, p 73).