Anesthesia Hub -

10 Random Questions

The primary mechanism for respiratory arrest following a spinal anesthetic to T2 is

(A) block of carotid chemoreceptors
(B) direct effect of local anesthetic on the medulla
(C) ischemia of respiratory centers in the medulla
(D) paralysis of the diaphragm by neural block
(E) paralysis of intercostal muscles

Nonsteroidal analgesics such as aspirin decrease pain by

(A) decreasing axonal transmission of pain stimuli through a local anesthetic mechanism
(B) directly competing with substance P for receptor occupancy
(C) inhibiting enzymatic breakdown of met-enkephalin
(D) inhibiting production of prostaglandin E2
(E) potentiating the action of endorphin in the substantia gelantinosa of the spinal cord

BASIC Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics

Which of the following provides the most definitive diagnosis in a patient with suspected brain death?

(A) Absent bilateral somatosensory evoked potentials
(B) Absent cerebral blood flow during four-vessel contrast cerebral arteriography
(C) Intracranial pressure greater than mean arterial pressure
(D) Score of zero on Glasgow Coma Scale
(E) Two isoelectric electroencephalograms

ADVANCED Respiratory & Critical Care Neuro

A 24-year-old man who sustained multiple rib fractures in a motor vehicle accident has air leaks through bilateral chest tubes. Which of the following is most likely following initiation of high-frequency jet ventilation?

(A) Airway pressure will be measured most reliably at the proximal (external) end of the endotracheal tube
(B) Atelectatic areas of the lungs will re-expand
(C) Changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide tension measured at the tip of the endotracheal tube will match changes in PaCOz
(D) Hypercarbia will develop
(E) The air leaks will be proportional to peak airway pressure

Intrathecally administered opioids exert their analgesic effects primarily in the

(A) brain stem
(B) fourth ventricle
(C) spinal nerve roots
(D) spinothalamic tracts
(E) substantia gelatinosa

BASIC Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics

Appropriate anesthetic management of a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes each of the following EXCEPT

(A) maintaining normal or slightly greater than normal preload
(B) adjusting positive airway pressure to maintain near normal venous return
(C) preference for volatile agents rather than opiates for anesthesia
(D) use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents to increase ventricular wall compliance
(E) decreasing afterload with peripheral vasodilators

A blood sample is taken from a patient whose body temperature is 30°C. In which direction will the pH, PCCX, and P02 change when measured in the blood gas machine at 37°C? (pH, PCO2, PO2)

(A) Increase Decrease Decrease
(B) Decrease Increase Increase
(C) Decrease Increase No change
(D) No change Increase Increase
(E) No change No change Increase

A 6-year-old boy with spina bifida and a chronic indwelling urinary catheter has severe hypotension and hypoxemia during augmentation cystoplasty. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

(A) Autonomic neuropathy
(B) Disseminated intravascular coagulation
(C) Latex allergy
(D) Urinary sepsis
(E) Venous air embolism

Which of the following is characteristic of low back pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome but not of pain associated with a herniated lumbar disk?

(A) Loss of reflexes in the lower extremities
(B) Pain along the distribution of nerve roots
(C) Responsiveness to epidural corticosteroids
(D) Sensitivity to injection at trigger points
(E) Trophic alteration in the sympathetic nervous system

ADVANCED Regional & Pain

Which of the following is true of both the neonatal and adult airways?

(A) Epiglottic innervation is primarily vagal
(B) Sniffing position requires placement of a pillow under the occiput
(C) The cricoid ring is the narrowest part of the airway
(D) The epiglottis has a relatively similar size and shape
(E) The glottis is located at C3-4

ADVANCED Pediatric