An otherwise healthy 42-year-old woman is referred for management of pain associated with adenocarcinoma of the breast and metastasis to the anterior body of L3. She perceives the pain as moderate and currently takes no pain medication. Her oncologist estimates her life expectancy to be 18 months. The most appropriate initial management is
(A) a benzodiazepine as needed and at bedtime
(B) an oxycodone preparation as needed and a tricyclic antidepressant at bedtime
(C) intravenous patient-controlled analgesia
(D) morphine infusion via an implanted epidural catheter
Compared with the demand-flow intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) system, the continuous-flow IMV system has which of the following characteristics?
(A) It cannot be used with positive end-expiratory pressure
(B) It permits monitoring of exhaled tidal volume
(C) It decreases waste of medical gases
(D) It decreases the work of breathing
(E) It synchronizes mechanical and spontaneous breaths
D
Delirium produced by high doses of atropine can be reversed by intravenous injection of
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is undergoing spinal anesthesia to a T6 sensory level. The most pronounced effect on pulmonary function will be a decrease in
A jaundiced patient requires general anesthesia for portocaval shunt. He has a long history of alcohol abuse and is cirrhotic with ascites. Special considerations relevant to induction of anesthesia for this patient include each of the following EXCEPT:
(A) Denitrogenation by mask may be more rapid than expected
(B) The risk of aspiration is increased
(C) The dose of thiopental necessary for induction will be predictably reduced
(D) The duration of succinylcholine action may be prolonged
(E) Alfentanil would be an appropriate supplement
C
Which of the following is an effect of ketorolac administered after vaginal hysterectomy?