PHARMACOLOGY CST EXAM REVIEW
Local anesthesia - Answers -involves injection of a nerve conduction-blocking agent into
the tissues surrounding a peripheral nerve or nerves that serve only tissue at the
surgical site onset happens between 5-15 minutes
Topical anesthesia - Answers -involves the placement of a nerve conduction blocking
agent onto the skin or mucous membrane, i.e. cocaine HCL, onset is rapid
Monitored Anesthesia Care - Answers -combination of nerve conduction blockade
supplemented with analgesics, sedatives, amnesics, used for patients with complex
medical problems
Regional anesthesia - Answers -involves the administration of an anesthetic along a
major nerve tract, blocks all nerve impulse conduction distal to the injection site, onset is
slower than local
Nerve plexus block - Answers -regional, agent is injected in the tissues surrounding a
major nerve plexus such as the brachial, cervical, caudal and lumbar
Spinal block - Answers -regional, agent is injected into the CSF withing the
subarachnoid space
Epidural block - Answers -regional, Agent is injected into the space above the dura
Induction Phase - Answers -involves altering the patient's level of consciousness from a
conscious state to the unconscious state, can be carried out through IV induction agent
or inhalation of gaseous vapors, management and maintenance of the patients airway is
critical
Maintenance Phase - Answers -surgical intervention takes place, anesthesia provider
monitors changes in oxygen saturation, blood loss, muscle relaxation status, and
cardiac status and adjusts those levels accordingly
Emergence Phase - Answers -occurs as surgical intervention is being completed,
primary focus is the monitoring of adequate and independent respiratory rate and
function, reversal agents may be given
Recovery Phase - Answers -patient returns to the optimum level of consciousness and
well-being phase begins in OR until they are discharged
Aspiration - Answers -inhalation of foreign fluid or solids into the lungs such as
secretions or gastric contents, occurs in patients where inadequate time for gastric
emptying has elapsed
Cricoid Pressure - Answers -reduces risk of aspiration, pressure is applied using thumb
and index finger to the cricoid cartilage
, Laryngospasm and Bronchospasm - Answers -rigidity of of the upper respiratory tract,
anesthesia provider is unable to move air and waste gases in and out of the lungs
Malignant hypothermia - Answers -potentially fatal hypermetabolic state of muscle
activity caused by abnormal release of calcium, first signs is tachycardia, tachypea and
increased level of carbon dioxide,
Malignant hypothermia treatment - Answers -stop anesthesia administration,
oxygenation of the patient, administer dantrolene sodium diluted with injectable water,
administer chilled IV fluids, chill body cavities
Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency Syndrome - Answers -genetically transmitted trait that
decreases the amount of acetylcholinesterase available in the neuromoscular junction
to break down acetylcholine during muscle stimulation, causes prolonged effects of
depolarizing neuromuscular blockade
Allergic reaction - Answers -result of histamine release in response to exposure to an
allergen, anaphylaxis is an immediate hypersensitive response, patients history should
include prior allergic reactions and those substances should be avoided, treatment will
very
Shock - Answers -abnormal physiological state indicated by the presence of reduced
cardiac output tachycardia, hypotension and diminished urinary output, can be cause by
anesthetic agent administration, treatment goal is to promote optimal circulatory volume
and function
Cardiac Dysrhythmias - Answers -abnormal heart rate can be triggered by the
combination of anesthetic agents treatment includes IV administration of lidocaine HCL
defibrillation and pacemaker insertion
Cardiac Arrest - Answers -cessation of heart pumping action and blood circulation,
treatment is CPR and advanced cardiac life support
Inhalation agents - Answers -are inhaled and pass through into the bloodstream via the
respiratory system, any exhaled inhalation is referred to as waste gas
oxygen - Answers -provides gas essential to the survival of the patient by promoting
cellular function
nitrous oxide - Answers -only true gas in use, interacts with the cellular membrane of
the CNS to produce analgesia with some amnesia, not potent enough to be used alone
volatile agents - Answers -sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, enflurane, fluothane
group of liquids who potent vapors, when inhaled, produce general anesthesia