Week 14 - Preoperative Assessment Flashcards
What is the purpose of a preoperative assessment?
Help identify factors that increase the risk associated with anesthesia and the status of the patient relative to the proposed surgery.
What has been found to be more predictive of surgical complications over objective preoperative lab testing?
A preoperative history and physical
What are some of the benefits of pre anesthesia assessment clinics?
Reduction in –> patient anxiety, direct cost, last minute cancelations, overall length of hospitalization and diagnostic testing
Improvement in –> Patient education
What is the purpose of a pre anesthesia assessment clinic?
Allows patients scheduled for elective surgery to be evaluated and their condition optimized sufficiently in advance of surgery.
What are some conditions that would benefit from early preoperative evaluation?
Medical conditions inhibiting ADL’s, angina, CAD, history of MI…
Patients with complex medical conditions should be evaluated ________ __________ prior to the scheduled surgery.
one week
Who must preform the pre anesthesia assessment?
An anesthesia provider
True or False
The timing of the pre anesthesia assessment does not appear to influence the outcome of anesthesia?
True
When looking at preoperative diagnostic tests, where should these be obtained from if not collected during the patients current admission?
Directly from the original source –> Prevents misinterpretation
What can be collected from progress notes and consultation results?
Health history, physical status, medical treatments (drug dosages and schedules)
Diagnostic test results should NOT be collected from here because this increases the likelihood of misinterpretation
Where can baseline data concerning the patient be collected from (coping mechanisms and patient limitations)?
Nursing notes
How should the preoperative interview be conducted in a patient who has completed the pre anesthesia questionnaire?
Questions should be directed towards abnormal findings and areas of concern
Why should the preoperative assessment be conducted in a way that doesn’t feel rushed?
Patients degree of trust and confidence is enhanced.
What is something that increases the patients perception of time you spent with them during the pre-operative assessment?
Sitting rather than standing –> Results in more positive exchanges and more comprehensive understanding of their circumstances
What should occur prior to performing the preoperative assessment once entering the room?
A request that visitors step out unless the patient wishes for them to be present –> Allows patient to be more honest and volunteer health information easier (substance abuse, sexual history).
What are the objectives of the preoperative interview?
What are the patient education objectives during the preoperative interview?
What can be done if the surgeon has already documented a thorough medical history and physical exam prior to your pre anesthesia evaluation?
The interview can focus on confirming major findings and obtaining information pertinent to anesthesia care –> Anesthesia provider must obtain and document a detailed health history.
Where can patient surgical history be obtained from?
From the chart or preoperative interview.
Vague reports of fever and convulsions the last time a patient underwent anesthesia requires what?
Further investigation –> Need to rule out malignant hyperthermia
Why must familial anesthetic history be obtained?
Because numerous diseases affecting anesthesia can be inherited –> MH, atypical plasma cholinesterase, porphyria, or glycogen storage diseases.
What should be done in patients taking nonessential medications prior to surgery?
Have patient discontinue all forms of non-essential medications
True or False
The majority of medications are discontinued pre operatively?
False –> Majority of medications are continued, besides non-essential medications. Medications that DO need to be withheld should be for 3-5 half lives.
What are the most common drug allergies during anesthesia?
NMBA and antibiotics
Why do side effects and allergic reactions need to be distinguished?
Because a side effect isn’t a reason to withhold a drug, whereas a true allergic reaction is.
What other medications should be avoided if the patient present with a true drug allergy?
Medications from that class.
20% of intra operative anaphylactic reactions have been attributed to what?
Latex allergies
When is a preoperative latex allergy testing indicated?
Only when a family history of latex allergy is present or a report of patient symptoms such as rash, swelling, or wheezing when exposed to latex.
Skin prick test is most sensitive
What patients are at high risk for latex allergies?
Industrial workers, spina bifida, repeated surgical procedures (more than 9), allergies to food and tropical fruits, health care professionals, intra operative anaphylaxis of unknown cause
How should patients be questioned about social history (drug/alcohol intake)?
Open ended questions posed in a non judgemental way
Should be educated on why this information is important for us to know as it can necessitate the need for higher than normal sedative amounts
What is the leading cause of preventable premature death in the USA?
Cigarette smoking
Symptoms of acute nicotine intoxication in children?
Seizures, coma, respiratory arrest, and death
Effects of nicotine on the cardiovascular system?
It is a toxic alkaloid –> Causes increased BP, HR, and can cause atherosclerosis
How much greater is carbon monoxides affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin?
250-300 times greater
How long should patients quit smoking prior to surgery?
At least 12-48 hours
What is the half life for nicotine? Carbon monoxide?
Nicotine –> 40-60 minutes
Carbon monoxide –> 130-190 minutes
How can smoking cessation for just one night prior to surgery be beneficial?
Reduces HR, BP, and circulating catecholamine levels. Also allows carboxyhemoglobin to return to normal levels
Effects of passive/second hand smoke in children?
Increased reactive airway diseases, abnormal results of pulmonary function tests, and increased RTI.
Peri operatively –> Laryngospasm, coughing on induction or emergence, breath holding, postoperative oxyhemoglobin desaturation, and hypersecretion.
Alcohol attributable deaths has been found to shorten the lives of those who die by ___________ years
29
What self reporting questionnaire can be used to gauge alcoholic problem drinkers? What is a less confrontational approach?
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
CAGE –> Less confrontational, 4 questions.
If yes to two questions –> High risk for alcoholism
Both assessments have been shown to be effective in identifying the abusive alcohol drinker.
Effects of tobacco smoking?
Prolonged wound healing, reduced bone density and osteoporosis, COPD…
Physiologic impact of components in E-cigarettes?
What is important to determine in the heavy drinker?
If they have experienced seizures, abrupt withdrawal syndrome, and delirium tremens
What are some clinical signs of alcohol withdrawal?
Increased hand tremors, autonomic hyperactivity, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, N/V, transient hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, and grand mal seizures.
What anesthetic requirements are increase in a chronic alcoholic?
Patients require increased amounts of hypnotics, opioids, and inhalation agents.
In an alcoholic, when are exaggerated responses to anesthetics likely?
Acute intoxication or advanced alcoholism
Enzymatic function and plasma albumin may be _____________ in patients with alcoholic hepatic insufficiency during acute intoxication or advanced alcoholism.
Decreased –> Greater circulating concentrations of unbound intravenous agents can result in an exaggerated or prolonged effect.
Has not been shown to occur with propofol in moderate liver cirrhosis
What are the complications leading to increased morbidity and mortality in alcoholic patients?
Poor wound healing, infection, bleeding, pneumonia, and further hepatic deterioration.
Why can an accurate illicit drug history be difficult to obtain?
Patient’s fear of legal ramification and to believe a problem exists.
What signs indicate illicit drug use?
Track marks/scarring, ophthalmologic changes, lymphadenopathy, malnourishment, poor dental care and bruxism, nasal perforation from cocaine abuse
What should occur if you believe a patient is under the influence of drugs prior to surgery?
Drug screening –> If positive, elective case is canceled.
What are some signs and symptoms of acute substance abuse?
What illicit drugs generally cause euphoria?
Cannabis and Opioids
What does illicit drug abstinence syndrome manifest with?
Increased sympathetic and parasympathetic responses –> HTN, tachycardia, abdominal cramping/diarrhea, tremors, anxiety, irritability, lacrimation, mydriasis, algid sweat, and yawning.
What three drugs are used to help with opioid abstinence?
MAT –> Medically assisted treatment for abstinence of opioids
Methadone –> Opioid de-addiction
Suboxone –> Maintenance of opioid abstinence
Naltrexone –> Maintenance of abstinence with opioids or management of cravings in alcohol abuse
For patients undergoing MAT (Medically assisted treatment for abstinence of opioids), what can be done to allow for their current MAT (Methadone, suboxone, or naltrexone) treatment throughout the perioperative period?
Multimodal pain management plan –> Combo of regional, local, long acting anesthetics…
Synthetic androgens can result in dysfunction of what body systems?
Hepatic and endocrine
What should be done if patients are in doubt as to what herbal supplements they are taking?
They should be encouraged to bring them to their pre operative workup
These supplements should be discontinued 2-3 weeks PRIOR to anesthesia if practical
Why is the patient asked not to phonate when protruding their tongue during the Mallampati assessment?
Because this can elevate the soft palate.
What joint does inter incisor distance assess?
Temporomandibular joint –> Should be able to open the mouth 4 cm or 2-3 finger breadths
This joint can experience limitations after the induction of anesthesia in some populations when they could open their mouth normally during the pre operative assessment.
What would be suspected in patients with limited atlantooccipital joint movement?
Cervical arthritis or a small C1 gap
–> This inhibits the patient from being able to be placed in a sniffing position
What should be done during the preoperative assessment if the anesthesia provider in concerned with the patients teeth?
Informed consent needs to be signed with the patient understanding the increased risks (broken teeth), this protects the provider from legal ramification.
When should partial plates or dentures be left in place during anesthesia?
Only if it improves the mask fit
Ideal body weight formula
Male –> 105 lbs plus 6 pounds each inch over 5 feet
Female –> 100 lbs plus 5 pounds each inch over 5 feet
20% over ideal body weight constitutes obesity
2x ideal body weight constitutes morbidly obese
BMI formula
BMI = weight in kg/meters^2
Gold standard test to diagnose sleep apnea?
Polysomnography
What is the most common screening tool used for identifying high risk individuals for sleep apnea?
STOP-Bang –> Yes to 3 or more question = high risk
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
History of snoring, apneic episodes, frequent arousals during sleep, morning headaches and daytime somnolence
What are some co morbidities associated with obesity?
What should patients who use a CPAP at home be instructed to do prior to surgery?
Bring CPAP device with them so it can be used in the post anesthesia care unit.
What patients are at high risk for adrenal insufficiency?
Those who have received corticosteroids (hydrocortisone) of more than 20 mg daily for 3 weeks during the previous year AND those who are receiving replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency.
Why should the least amount of steroid therapy be used in a patient at risk of adrenal insufficiency?
To minimize the risk of surgical site infection and postoperative wound complications
What are some signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and ischemia? What usually causes this?
Most often due to vasospasm after a subarachnoid hemmorhage
What can a patient with rheumatoid arthritis present with during intubation?
This disease can be compounded with restrictions in vocal cord movement or tracheal stenosis caused by cricoarytenoid arthritis
A patient with a Glasgow Coma Score of less than ________ often requires TI with mechanical ventilation.
8
What patients are at greatest risk of peripheral neuropathy?
Patients with long standing diabetes, uremia, and chronic alcoholics with nutritional deficits –> Would benefit from a neurology consult with a preoperative electromyography.
Even a slight ________ midline shift in the brain can be seen on CT/MRI and confirm suspicious of intracranial HTN
0.5 cm
What can an arteriographic film (angiogram) be used to test?
Allows to visualize the inside or lumen of blood vessels and organs –> Shows which vessels are experiencing occlusion/partial occlusions and can be used to determine the degree of collateral circulation in a patient with cerebrovascular occlusive disease
What should be avoided in patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease with vertebral involvement
Extremes in head positioning –> Extreme head flexion, extension, or rotation should be avoided.
Why should sedatives be avoided in patients with increased intracranial pressure?
Because sedatives cause altered LOC which will mask the altered LOC the patient experiences if the patients condition worsens
What drugs are patients with intracranial HTN extremely sensitive to?
CNS depressants such as opioids
What blood work should accompany phenytoin?
CBC –> Patient at risk for agranulocytosis
Serum concentrations of what 2 anticonvulsants DO NOT need to be documented unless drug withdrawal or significant changes are expected?
Phenytoin and Phenobarbital
Should anticonvulsants be continued peri operatively in most cases?
Yes
Why is corticosteroid therapy used and continued peri operatively for patients presenting with a CNS tumor?
Reduces CSF production or cerebral edema as a result of capillary membrane stabilization –> Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone
What should be done if corticosteroids are used during the pre/intra/post operative period?
Blood glucose levels need to be drawn
What questionnaire can be used to measure a patients functional capacity of the heart?
Metabolic equivalents (METs) –> 2 questions
1. Are you able to walk four blocks without stopping
2. Are you able to climb two flights of stairs without stopping
Yes to both of these indicates good functional capacity, greater than 4
What should be done if patient presents with less than 4 METs?
Further investigated to identify more cardiac risk factors and may need to cancel the case.