Statistical analysis of 20 patients shows a mean cardiac output (CO) of 5 L/min with a standard deviation of 1 L/min. The distribution pattern in the sample population is normal. Which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion?
(A) Approximately 33% of the sample population would be expected to have a CO between 4 and 6 L/min
(B) Approximately 95% of the sample population would be expected to have a CO between 3 and 7 L/min
(C) Ten of the sample patients have a cardiac output greater than 5 L/min
(D) The mean and the median are both at the 50th percentile
(E) The median and the mode are the same in the sample population
A 60-kg, 38-year-old woman undergoes laparoscopic tubal ligation. Paralysis is maintained for one hour with infusion of succinylcholine at a rate of 10 mg/min. At the end of the procedure, respirations are shallow and tetanic fade is noted on neuromuscular stimulation. In addition to continued mechanical ventilation, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
(A) Observe until the patient recovers spontaneously
A 30-year-old woman is undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation. Thirty minutes after induction of general anesthesia, arterial oxygen saturation has decreased to 89%. Arterial blood gases at an FiO2 of 1.0 are PaO2 63 mmHg and PaCO2 40 mmHg; PetCO2 is 32 mmHg. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
(A) Carbon dioxide embolus
(B) Endobronchial intubation
(C) Hypoventilation
(D) Inadvertent application of high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure
A patient is scheduled for amputation of the third metatarsal. A tourniquet will not be used during the procedure. The most effective anesthesia will be provided by block of which of the following nerves?
A patient with metastatic carcinoma and chronic renal failure has tremors, fasciculations, mydriasis, and hyperreflexia after several days of therapy with high doses of meperidine for analgesia. Which of the following is most likely to occur if the meperidine is continued?
(A) Disappearance of the symptoms as tolerance to meperidine develops
A 75-kg, 45-year-old patient with quadriplegia at the level of C6 is scheduled for elective cholecystectomy. Pulmonary function tests show an FVC of 2.4 L and an FEV, of 1.2 L. Which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion based on these findings?
(A) Intercostal muscle function is normal
(B) SpO, will be 80% or less while breathing room air
(C) Total lung capacity is normal
(D) The patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A 30-year-old, 70-kg woman with mitral stenosis is scheduled for elective laparoscopic sterilization. Preoperatively she is taking digoxin and an unknown medication for chronic mental depression. The EKG demonstrates atrial fibrillation. Heart rate is 68 bpm. Anesthesia is induced with thiopental followed by nitrous oxide 50%, halothane 0.75%, and a continuous succinylcholine infusion. The ventilator is set to deliver a minute volume of 5 liters through an endotracheal tube. As the carbon dioxide is being insufflated into the abdomen, the blood pressure is noted to be elevated (150/100 mmHg) and ventricular bigeminy is present. The most appropriate therapy is to
(A) increase the halothane concentration to 1.25%
(B) discontinue the succinylcholine infusion
(C) increase minute ventilation to 7.5 L/min
(D) administer potassium 5 mEq intravenously over one minute followed by propranolol 0.25 mg
(E) measure arterial blood gas and serum electrolyte values