Clinical Practice & Patient Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Practice & Patient Safety flashcards as text
A patient with OSA is extubated after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which postoperative monitoring approach is MOST appropriate?
Answer: Continuous pulse oximetry monitoring in a monitored setting
OSA patients are at high risk for postoperative respiratory depression and require continuous oximetry in a monitored setting to detect desaturation events promptly.
During a closed-loop communication in the OR, the circulating nurse announces 'blood pressure is 70/40.' The anesthesiologist responds 'I heard you—administering ephedrine 10 mg.' This exchange exemplifies which patient safety principle?
Answer: Read-back or closed-loop communication to confirm receipt of critical information
Closed-loop communication requires the receiver to acknowledge and repeat back critical information, confirming that the message was correctly understood.
A patient develops bronchospasm, urticaria, and hypotension 5 minutes after latex gloves are placed intraoperatively. Which vasopressor and dose is FIRST-LINE?
Answer: Epinephrine 0.01–0.1 mg IV bolus
Epinephrine is the first-line drug for anaphylaxis due to its combined alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction, beta-adrenergic bronchodilation, and mast-cell stabilization effects.
Which factor MOST significantly increases the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing general anesthesia?
Answer: High tidal volumes (>10 mL/kg IBW) without PEEP
Volutrauma from large tidal volumes without PEEP promotes atelectasis, ventilator-induced lung injury, and subsequent pulmonary complications.
A 'near-miss' event is MOST accurately defined as:
Answer: An unplanned event that was caught before reaching the patient
A near-miss (also called a close call) is an unsafe act or condition that was identified and intercepted before it could reach the patient.
A patient with a pacemaker (VVI mode) undergoes electrocautery. Which intraoperative measure BEST reduces the risk of pacemaker inhibition?
Answer: Convert the pacemaker to asynchronous (DOO or VOO) mode preoperatively
Converting a demand pacemaker to asynchronous mode eliminates sensitivity to electromagnetic interference from electrocautery, ensuring continuous pacing.
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a formal anesthesia handoff (sign-out) to the PACU nurse?
Answer: Transferring accurate clinical information to ensure continuity of patient care
A structured handoff transfers critical clinical information—airway, medications, hemodynamics, and concerns—to ensure safe continuity of care in the PACU.