ASPS ASPS Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Care 2

Question 1

Which nerve block is most useful for providing post-operative analgesia after abdominoplasty?

Accepted Answer

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block

Answer

The TAP block deposits local anesthetic between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles, blocking afferent pain signals from the anterior abdominal wall.

Question 2

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is triggered by which class of anesthetic agents?

Accepted Answer

Volatile halogenated agents and succinylcholine

Answer

MH is a pharmacogenetic disorder triggered by volatile anesthetic agents (e.g., sevoflurane) and succinylcholine, causing uncontrolled skeletal muscle metabolism.

Question 3

Dantrolene is the specific treatment for malignant hyperthermia because it:

Accepted Answer

Blocks calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Answer

Dantrolene inhibits ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, halting the uncontrolled muscle contraction driving MH.

Question 4

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in plastic surgery are designed primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Minimize physiologic stress, reduce complications, and speed return to normal function

Answer

ERAS protocols use evidence-based perioperative interventions—pre-op carbohydrate loading, multimodal analgesia, early mobilization—to reduce organ stress and shorten recovery.

Question 5

Which pre-operative medication is commonly used to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in high-risk patients?

Accepted Answer

Ondansetron

Answer

Ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, is a first-line antiemetic given prophylactically to reduce PONV, especially in patients with known risk factors.

(ASPS) American Society of Plastic Surgeons Practice Test

(ASPS) American Society of Plastic Surgeons Practice Test

ASPS ASPS Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Care 2