ABA Best Practices & Standard Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ASA standards, which monitoring parameter is MANDATORY during every anesthetic administration?
- Continuous capnography
- Continuous pulse oximetry (Correct answer)
- Invasive arterial pressure
- Central venous pressure
Correct answer: Continuous pulse oximetry
ASA Standard II mandates continuous pulse oximetry during all anesthetics; capnography is required for intubated patients but not universally for all anesthetic types.
Question 2: The ASA 'difficult airway algorithm' recommends which immediate action when mask ventilation fails and intubation also fails?
- Proceed to emergency surgical airway
- Call for help and attempt supraglottic airway device (Correct answer)
- Administer succinylcholine to relax the airway
- Perform awake fiberoptic intubation
Correct answer: Call for help and attempt supraglottic airway device
In a 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' (CICO) scenario after failed mask ventilation and intubation, the algorithm directs calling for help and attempting a supraglottic airway as the next rescue step.
Question 3: Which ASA physical status classification best describes a patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes, mild obesity (BMI 32), and no functional limitations?
- ASA I
- ASA II (Correct answer)
- ASA III
- ASA IV
Correct answer: ASA II
ASA II applies to patients with mild systemic disease that does not impose functional limitations, such as well-controlled diabetes or mild obesity.
Question 4: Per ASA guidelines, the minimum fasting interval for clear liquids before elective surgery in a healthy adult is:
- 2 hours (Correct answer)
- 4 hours
- 6 hours
- 8 hours
Correct answer: 2 hours
ASA NPO guidelines allow clear liquids up to 2 hours before elective procedures in healthy patients with normal gastric motility.
Question 5: Which best describes the purpose of a pre-anesthesia checkout (PAC) as recommended by the FDA and ASA?
- To document billing codes before the case
- To verify anesthesia machine function and safety of the breathing circuit (Correct answer)
- To obtain final informed consent from the patient
- To calculate the total dose of controlled substances needed
Correct answer: To verify anesthesia machine function and safety of the breathing circuit
The PAC ensures the anesthesia delivery system, monitors, and breathing circuit are functioning properly before patient exposure to anesthetic agents.
Question 6: According to ASA closed claims data, which patient position is most associated with peripheral nerve injury during anesthesia?
- Supine
- Lithotomy (Correct answer)
- Prone
- Lateral decubitus
Correct answer: Lithotomy
Lithotomy position is the position most frequently associated with peripheral nerve injuries, particularly common peroneal and femoral nerve palsies, in ASA closed claims analyses.
Question 7: The ASA Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation requires that the practitioner be able to rescue a patient who enters which level of sedation?
- Minimal sedation (anxiolysis)
- Moderate sedation
- Deep sedation (Correct answer)
- General anesthesia
Correct answer: Deep sedation
Practitioners administering moderate sedation must be able to rescue patients who inadvertently reach deep sedation, one level deeper than intended.
ABA Best Practices & Standard Procedures 2
According to ASA standards, which monitoring parameter is MANDATORY during every anesthetic administration?