Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a drug administration route?

Accepted Answer

"Biodegradable" is not a drug administration route but rather refers to the ability of a substance to decompose naturally into harmless materials. The other options are all legitimate drug administration routes: enteral (oral or rectal), parenteral (injection or infusion), and topical (applied to the skin or mucous membranes).

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is the structure responsible for regulating body temperature by monitoring processes of heat production and loss in the human body. It can cause processes such as sweating or shivering to maintain a stable internal temperature. The cerebellum is involved in coordination and movement, the pituitary gland and thyroid gland are involved in hormone regulation.

Question 3

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 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 (BIS) monitor. Option B, Doppler device, monitors blood flow, option C, electrocardiogram, monitors heart activity, and option D, pulse oximeter, monitors oxygen saturation in the blood.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Nondepolarizing agents block the action of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and prevent muscle contraction. Dissociative agents produce a state of dissociative anesthesia, induction agents induce or deepen anesthesia, and volatile agents are inhaled anesthetics that produce general anesthesia. None of these provide muscle relaxation in the same way as nondepolarizing agents.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture anesthesia is not commonly used in the United States and is considered a nontraditional form of anesthesia. Bier block, monitored anesthesia care, and spinal block are all more commonly used forms of anesthesia in the US.

Question 6

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 inhibiting the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle cells, thus preventing muscle contraction and subsequently reducing the metabolic demand for ATP. Curare is a neuromuscular blocking agent used for paralysis during surgery or mechanical ventilation, sevoflurane is an inhalation anesthetic, and succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent used for rapid and short-term paralysis during surgery or tracheal intubation. None of these drugs are effective in treating MH.

Question 7

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 considered ASA 3, indicating moderate risk. ASA 1 is for a healthy patient, ASA 2 is for a patient with mild systemic disease, and ASA 4 is for a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life.

Question 8

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 9

How are most drugs absorbed by the body?

Accepted Answer

Most drugs are absorbed passively by the body through diffusion or facilitated diffusion, which does not require the use of energy. Active transport may also be used for some drugs, but it requires energy and is not as common. Dissolution refers to the process of a solid drug breaking down into a liquid form, but it is not the primary method of drug absorption. Vasoconstriction refers to the narrowing of blood vessels and is not directly related to drug absorption.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

While ketamine HCl can cause side effects such as vomiting and nausea, urinary incontinence, and a "hangover feeling," none of these are significant enough to make it contraindicated for use on adults. However, morbid hallucinations can occur at high doses and make it unsafe for use on adults, particularly those with a history of psychiatric disorders or substance abuse.

Question 11

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 is named after Dr. Sellick, who first described the technique in 1961.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Diminished cardiac and urinary output, hypotension, and tachycardia are all classic signs of shock, which is a condition where there is inadequate perfusion to tissues and organs due to a variety of causes, such as hypovolemia, decreased cardiac output, or excessive vasodilation. Pseudocholinesterase deficiency syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and malignant hyperthermia may have different signs and symptoms.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines are classified as Class IV controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and dependence, but with a lower risk compared to other classes such as Class II or III substances.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that works by reducing the amount of water in the brain tissue, thereby reducing the pressure inside the skull. This is important during a craniotomy for excision of tumor because the manipulation of brain tissue during surgery can cause swelling and increase intracranial pressure, which can lead to cerebral herniation and brain damage. Mannitol helps to prevent this by reducing the pressure and improving brain perfusion.

Question 15

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. B) Circuit refers to the system of tubing that connects the endotracheal tube to the anesthesia machine. D) Tube refers to the endotracheal tube itself, but not the device used to modify its curvature.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Korotkoff's sounds are heard during the assessment of blood pressure using a stethoscope.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

During the induction phase of general anesthesia, patients are at an increased risk of aspiration as they may still be able to regurgitate stomach contents before they are fully unconscious and before protective airway reflexes are lost.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Thrombin is a bovine-derived enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin, resulting in the formation of a stable blood clot. It is commonly used as a chemical method of hemostasis in surgical procedures. Heparin, collagen, and epinephrine are not derived from bovine sources and do not have the same mechanism of action as thrombin.

Question 19

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. They are often given to patients after surgery to help alleviate any potential postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anti-arrhythmics (A) are medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, antihistamines (C) are used to treat allergy symptoms, and antimuscarinics (D) are used to treat conditions such as overactive bladder.

Question 20

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.

Quiz 9: Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia