ABA Emergency Response Procedures 2

Question 1

A patient under general anesthesia develops sudden bradycardia (HR 28 bpm) with hypotension. What is the FIRST drug to administer?

Accepted Answer

Atropine 0.5–1 mg IV

Answer

Atropine is the first-line agent for symptomatic bradycardia due to increased vagal tone, given as 0.5–1 mg IV.

Question 2

During a difficult airway emergency, after two failed intubation attempts, the patient's SpO2 drops to 82%. What is the next best step per the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Proceed to emergency surgical airway

Answer

When oxygenation fails after multiple attempts, the ASA algorithm directs emergency surgical airway (cricothyrotomy) as the 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' rescue.

Question 3

A patient receiving neuraxial anesthesia develops a total spinal block. Which hemodynamic change is most immediately life-threatening?

Accepted Answer

Severe hypotension with bradycardia

Answer

Total spinal causes profound sympathectomy and vagal predominance, resulting in severe hypotension and bradycardia that can progress to cardiac arrest.

Question 4

A pediatric patient (20 kg) in the OR develops laryngospasm with complete obstruction after extubation. Which intervention is most appropriate after positive-pressure oxygen fails?

Accepted Answer

Succinylcholine 4 mg/kg IM (80 mg)

Answer

When IV access is unavailable and CPAP fails in complete laryngospasm, succinylcholine 4 mg/kg IM (up to 150 mg) rapidly relieves the spasm.

Question 5

Intraoperative TEE reveals a new large pericardial effusion with right ventricular diastolic collapse. What is the most appropriate immediate anesthetic management?

Accepted Answer

Avoid high-dose vasopressors; maintain heart rate and preload

Answer

Cardiac tamponade management focuses on maintaining heart rate, preload, and contractility while avoiding vasodilators; definitive treatment is pericardiocentesis.

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

ABA Emergency Response Procedures 2