Question 1

A bovine-derived enzyme used as a chemical method of hemostasis is:

Accepted Answer

Thrombin is a bovine-derived enzyme commonly used as a chemical method of hemostasis. It acts as a clotting factor, converting fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms the structural framework for blood clot formation. Heparin is an anticoagulant, collagen is a structural protein, and epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor, none of which are used specifically for hemostasis.

Question 2

What is the pharmacological agent administered specifically to treat malignant hyperthermia (MH)?

Accepted Answer

The pharmacological agent administered specifically to treat malignant hyperthermia (MH) is dantrolene. It works by blocking calcium release in skeletal muscles, which prevents the excessive muscular contraction and subsequent heat production that occurs in MH. Curare, sevoflurane, and succinylcholine are not used as specific treatments for MH.

Question 3

Which anatomical structure regulates temperature by monitoring processes of heat production and loss in the human body?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is the anatomical structure that regulates temperature by monitoring processes of heat production and loss in the human body. It acts as the body's thermostat and is responsible for initiating physiological responses to maintain a stable internal temperature. The cerebellum is involved in motor control and balance, the pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate various bodily functions, and the thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolism.

Question 4

Which of the following pharmacological agents provides muscle relaxation by preventing acetylcholine from stimulating muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Nondepolarizing agents work by blocking acetylcholine receptors, preventing muscle contraction. Dissociatives, induction agents, and volatile agents are not known for their muscle relaxant properties.

Question 5

During which phase of general anesthesia would the risk of aspiration be the greatest?

Accepted Answer

During induction phase of general anesthesia, the patient's protective airway reflexes are compromised, making them more susceptible to aspirating fluids or other contents of their stomach. This risk decreases during the maintenance and emergence phases as airway reflexes begin to return, and is typically low during the recovery phase as the patient’s protective reflexes have fully returned.

Question 6

Which type of drug is used to treat possible postoperative nausea and vomiting?

Accepted Answer

Antiemetics are drugs used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. Therefore, they are the best choice for treating postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to treat irregular heart rhythms. Antihistamines and antimuscarinic drugs are used to treat allergies and motion sickness, respectively, but may not be as effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a drug administration route?

Accepted Answer

Biodegradable is not a drug administration route. Enteral refers to administration through the gastrointestinal tract (such as oral or rectal), parenteral refers to administration through injection, and topical refers to administration on the skin or mucous membrane.

Question 8

Diminished cardiac and urinary output, hypotension, and tachycardia are signs of:

Accepted Answer

The symptoms listed (diminished cardiac and urinary output, hypotension, and tachycardia) are signs of shock, which is a dangerous decrease in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues.

Question 9

Benzodiazepines are classified by the Controlled Substances Act as which class?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines are classified as Class IV substances under the Controlled Substances Act, indicating that they have a lower potential for abuse and dependence compared to drugs listed under Classes II and III.

Question 10

Why would a neurosurgeon order mannitol for a patient during a craniotomy for excision of tumor?

Accepted Answer

Mannitol is a diuretic that is used to decrease intracranial pressure during a craniotomy for excision of tumor. It works by drawing excess fluid out of the brain and into the bloodstream, which reduces pressure on the brain and helps to prevent further damage. The other options (muscle relaxation, prevention of surgical site infection, and reduction of vasospasm) are not the primary reasons why a neurosurgeon would order mannitol in this scenario.

Question 11

During which type of assessment would Korotkoff's sounds be heard?

Accepted Answer

Korotkoff's sounds are heard during manual blood pressure assessment using a stethoscope. They indicate the systolic and diastolic pressures.

Question 12

What is the name of the device used to support or modify the curvature of an endotracheal tube during intubation?

Accepted Answer

The device used to support or modify the curvature of an endotracheal tube during intubation is called a stylet. A balloon is not used for this purpose, a circuit is a series of tubing that connects a patient's airway to a ventilator, and a tube on its own does not provide support or modification of curvature during intubation.

Question 13

The anesthesia provider would assign which physical status classification rating to a patient with severe systemic disease, massive obesity, poorly controlled hypertension, or status postmyocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, a patient with severe systemic disease, massive obesity, poorly controlled hypertension, or status postmyocardial infarction would be classified as ASA 3. ASA 1 refers to a healthy patient with no systemic disease, while ASA 2 refers to a patient with mild systemic disease. ASA 4 refers to a patient with a life-threatening systemic disease, and ASA 5 refers to a patient who is not expected to survive without surgery.

Question 14

What would be the scrubbed surgical technologist's role in the general anesthesia induction phase?

Accepted Answer

During the general anesthesia induction phase, maintaining absolute quiet in the operating room is crucial to allow the anesthesiologist and other team members to communicate effectively and listen for any changes in the patient's condition. The scrubbed surgical technologist, being sterile, would not perform tasks like applying cricoid pressure, initiating a "time-out," or suctioning oral secretions, as these are outside their sterile field responsibilities.

Question 15

How are most drugs absorbed by the body?

Accepted Answer

Most drugs are absorbed by passive transport, which is the movement of substances across a membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without the need for energy. This includes diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis. Active transport requires the use of energy to move substances against their concentration gradient. Dissolution is the process of a solid substance becoming a liquid, and vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels, which can affect drug distribution but is not a method of absorption.

Question 16

The practice of applying cricoid pressure during endotracheal intubation was named for a British anesthesiologist named:

Accepted Answer

The practice of applying cricoid pressure during endotracheal intubation was named for Sir Robert Sellick, a British anesthesiologist who first described the technique in 1961.

Question 17

What side effects after the use of the dissociative agent ketamine HCl make it contraindicated for use on adults?

Accepted Answer

Morbid hallucinations are a potential side effect of ketamine use, making it contraindicated for use on adults. However, ketamine can still be used for medical purposes under strict supervision and dosage control. Hangover feeling, urinary incontinence, vomiting, and nausea are all possible side effects of ketamine use, but do not necessarily make it contraindicated for use on adults.

Question 18

Which anesthetic monitoring device registers the brain wave activity of the patient and enables anesthetic titration for optimal level of consciousness during surgical intervention?

Accepted Answer

The anesthetic monitoring device that registers the brain wave activity of the patient and enables anesthetic titration for optimal level of consciousness during surgical intervention is the bispectral index monitor.

Question 19

Which drug is administered intravenously to treat life-threatening cardiac ventricular arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Lidocaine HCl is an anti-arrhythmic drug that is administered intravenously to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. It works by blocking the sodium channels in the cardiac conduction system. Cimetidine is an H2 receptor antagonist used to treat ulcers, diazepam is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and seizures, and naloxone HCl is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses. None of these drugs are used to treat cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 20

Which type of anesthesia would be considered nontraditional in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture is considered a nontraditional form of anesthesia in the United States as it involves the use of needles and traditional Chinese medicine principles, whereas the other options listed are all commonly used forms of anesthesia in the US.

Quiz 9: Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia