Pre-Op Eval - Exam 1 Flashcards
What are the 3 main goals of pre-op evaluation?
- Ensure pts can safely tolerate anesthesia for surgery
- Mitigate periop risks
- Clinical exam: H&P
What’s an example of something we CAN’t mitigate before surgery?
Something we CAN?
Can’t: decompensated heart failure
Can: Need for dialysis, pt ate in the AM before surgery
During pre-op eval, we are trying to obtain pt info regarding and in order to: (4)
- Pt medical hx
- Formulate an assessment of the pt’s periop risk
- Develop a plan for any request clinical optimization
- Planning post op pain management in the background of preop pain medication
What are the benefits of the pre-op eval for the patient?
- reduces anxiety
- provides education
- discusses medications
- reduces post - op morbidity
- answers questions
What are the benefits of the pre-op eval for the anesthesia providers?
- learn of medical conditions
- devise anesthetic plan (intra/post op)
- time for consultants
- Code status
What are the benefits of pre-op evaluations for the surgeon/hospital?
- decreases cost of periop care
- improves efficiency
- decreases cancellations/delays
T/F:
Giving vasoactive meds in surgery to someone with a DNR violates their DNR
True!
Always verify code status and tailor periop plan to what the pt wants
Surgical procedures performed under anesthesia require preop evaluation for what 3 reasons?
- anesthesia is an added risk to surgery
- pre-anesthetic eval of pts improve clinical safety
- minimizes morbidity in appropriately prepared pts
What are common home meds (classes) we should worry about in pre op?
- anticoagulants
- things that alter BP (-ace, -arbs)
List the medical history components (9)
- underlying condition requiring surgery
- known medical problems/past medical issues
- previous surgeries/anesthetic history
- anesthetic-related complications
- review of systems
- medications
- allergies
- tobacco/ETOH/illicit drugs
- functional capacity
Common “red flags” of PMH for anesthesia
Malignant hyperthermia
Acetylcholinesterase deficiency
Difficult airway
What are the two common illicit drugs we worry about and why?
Meth: similar to ephedrine, drugs may not work as well if BP is low
Cocaine: destroys heart
Correct diagnosis can be made in ___% of cases on the basis of history alone
56
A BMI of <18.5 is considered:
Underweight
A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered:
Normal
A BMI of 25.9-29.9 is considered:
Overweight
A BMI of 30.0 and above is considered:
Obese
What is the metric formula for BMI?
BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
What is the imperial formula for BMI?
BMI = 703 X weight (lbs) / [height (in)]2
List the most important vital signs to know
BP, HR, RR, O2, temp, height/weight, BMI, ideal body weight
What 4 things can the BMI be used for?
- estimate drug doses
- determine fluid volume requirement
- calculate acceptable blood loss
- adequacy of urine output
Why is it important to test for neuro deficits before surgery?
If they wake up after surgery with a deficit, you need to know if it’s new or their baseline
Seizure meds ____ the rate of action of paralytics
Decrease
What two CV conditions do we commonly cancel surgery cases for?
Decompensated heart failure
Unstable angina