ABA Patient Assessment and Evaluation 2

Question 1

A 68-year-old patient with severe aortic stenosis is scheduled for elective hip replacement. Which hemodynamic parameter is most critical to maintain intraoperatively?

Accepted Answer

Low heart rate and high preload

Answer

Severe aortic stenosis requires maintaining a slow, regular heart rate and adequate preload to optimize stroke volume across the fixed obstruction.

Question 2

Which laboratory finding in a preoperative patient most strongly indicates the need to postpone elective surgery?

Accepted Answer

Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L

Answer

A serum potassium below 3.0 mEq/L significantly increases the risk of perioperative dysrhythmias and warrants correction before elective procedures.

Question 3

During preanesthetic evaluation, a patient reports taking clopidogrel for a coronary stent placed 4 months ago. The surgeon wants to proceed with elective colectomy. What is the most appropriate recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Defer surgery until at least 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy is completed

Answer

Drug-eluting stents require at least 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent in-stent thrombosis; elective non-cardiac surgery should be deferred until this window is complete.

Question 4

A patient with a BMI of 42 kg/m² presents for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which airway assessment finding most increases the risk of difficult mask ventilation?

Accepted Answer

Presence of a beard

Answer

A beard is one of the five MOANS predictors of difficult mask ventilation because it prevents an adequate seal between the mask and the face.

Question 5

Which preoperative pulmonary function test result in a patient scheduled for pneumonectomy predicts the highest risk of postoperative respiratory failure?

Accepted Answer

Predicted postoperative FEV1 less than 40%

Answer

A predicted postoperative FEV1 (ppoFEV1) less than 40% is the threshold associated with high risk of respiratory failure and mortality after pneumonectomy.

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

(ABA) American Board of Anesthesiology Practice Test

ABA Patient Assessment and Evaluation 2