Pre-operative assessment

Question 1

What is the ASA grade?

Answer 1

Grade correlates with patients risk of post-operative complications

Grade 1 = normal healthy patient
Grade 2 = mild systemic disease
Grade 3 = severe systemic disease
Grade 4 = severe systemic illness that is constant threat to life
Grade 5 = moribund, not expected to survive without the operation

E = suffix added if an emergency operation

Question 2

What is involved in an airway examination?

Answer 2

Look for any obvious facial abnormalities

Assess degree of mouth opening

Look at their teeth - in particular loose teeth

Look at their oropharynx

Assess neck movement

Question 3

What is the Mallampati classification?

Answer 3

Used to predict ease of intubation

Class 1 = complete visulaization of the soft palate
Class 2 = complete visualization of the uvula
Class 3 = visualization of only the base of the uvula
Class 4 = soft palate is not visible at all