Practice Test Geeks(ABFAS) American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery Practice Test
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Emergency Response Procedures Flashcards

7 cards from real ABFAS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Emergency Response Procedures flashcards as text

  1. A patient in the PACU after ankle surgery develops sudden onset respiratory distress, tachycardia, and hypoxia with oxygen saturation of 84%. Breath sounds are absent on the right. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Pneumothorax from interscalene nerve block

    Unilateral absent breath sounds following an interscalene or supraclavicular nerve block strongly suggest ipsilateral pneumothorax, a known complication.

  2. A patient with a known penicillin allergy receives cefazolin for surgical prophylaxis and develops urticaria. The cross-reactivity rate between penicillins and cephalosporins is approximately:

    Answer: Less than 2%

    The true cross-reactivity rate between penicillins and cephalosporins is less than 2%, much lower than historically reported 10% figures.

  3. Which finding on arterial blood gas (ABG) is most consistent with acute respiratory failure requiring immediate intubation?

    Answer: pH 7.20, PaO2 52 mmHg, PaCO2 58 mmHg on maximal O2

    Severe acidosis (pH 7.20), significant hypoxemia (PaO2 52), and hypercapnia (PaCO2 58) despite maximal supplemental oxygen indicate impending respiratory failure requiring intubation.

  4. In a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following foot and ankle surgery, which initial diagnostic test is most appropriate?

    Answer: Lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound

    Compression duplex ultrasound of the lower extremity is the first-line imaging modality for diagnosing DVT due to its safety, availability, and accuracy.

  5. A postoperative patient develops fever of 39.5°C, hypotension, tachycardia, and altered mental status 48 hours after an open reduction internal fixation. Blood cultures are drawn. What is the MOST appropriate immediate intervention?

    Answer: Begin broad-spectrum IV antibiotics within 1 hour

    Sepsis requires broad-spectrum IV antibiotics within 1 hour of recognition per Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines to reduce mortality.

  6. A patient develops intraoperative hyperthermia of 41°C, masseter muscle rigidity, and mixed metabolic/respiratory acidosis after succinylcholine administration. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Malignant hyperthermia

    Malignant hyperthermia is triggered by volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine, presenting with hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and metabolic acidosis from uncontrolled muscle metabolism.

  7. What is the specific pharmacologic antidote for malignant hyperthermia?

    Answer: Dantrolene sodium 2.5 mg/kg IV bolus

    Dantrolene sodium inhibits calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, directly treating the underlying pathophysiology of malignant hyperthermia.