Following a thyroidectomy, a patient develops severe dyspnea, inspiratory stridor, and cyanosis in the recovery room. On physical examination, the neck appears full. Attempts at bag-mask ventilation are unsuccessful. Immediate therapy is to
(A) administer calcium chloride
(B) perform an emergency tracheostomy
(C) open the wound and institute bag-mask ventilation
(D) return the patient to the operating room
(E) perform endotracheal intubation
C
Which of the following limits the use of nalbuphine for relief of postoperative pain?
(A) High incidence of nausea and vomiting
(B) High incidence of delayed respiratory depression
(C) Potential for inducing seizures with repeated doses
A 33-year-old woman is scheduled for emergency appendectomy under general anesthesia. She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and has had two episodes of syncope in the past year. Which of the following statements concerning anesthetic management is true?
(A) Spinal anesthesia is preferred to general anesthesia
(B) Deep levels of isoflurane anesthesia are appropriate
(C) Fluid administration should be restricted
(D) Phenylephrine is preferred to ephedrine to treat hypotension
(E) Positive end-expiratory pressure will decrease left ventricular outflow obstruction
One day after a vaginal hysterectomy under epidural anesthesia, a patient has numbness and inability to dorsiflex the right foot. Her legs were placed in leg holders during the operation. The most likely cause is