CMSRN Anesthetist 5

Question 1

A patient is having a procedure under spinal anesthesia and complains of a severe headache that worsens when sitting up and improves when lying flat. This presentation is MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH)

Answer

Post-dural puncture headache is positional (worse upright, relieved supine) and results from CSF leakage through the dural puncture site reducing intracranial pressure.

Question 2

During induction of anesthesia, the anesthesiologist requests cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver). The nurse applies pressure to which landmark?

Accepted Answer

The cricoid cartilage to compress the esophagus

Answer

Cricoid pressure is applied to the cricoid cartilage to occlude the esophagus and prevent passive regurgitation of gastric contents during rapid sequence induction.

Question 3

A patient's temperature rises to 40.2°C (104.4°F) intraoperatively, along with muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and rising EtCO2. The nurse should anticipate administration of:

Accepted Answer

Dantrolene sodium 2.5 mg/kg IV and discontinue volatile anesthetics

Answer

This clinical picture is malignant hyperthermia; dantrolene is the specific antidote and all triggering agents (volatile anesthetics, succinylcholine) must be immediately discontinued.

Question 4

Which assessment is the nurse's PRIMARY responsibility when monitoring a patient receiving IV moderate sedation per institutional protocol?

Accepted Answer

Continuously monitoring level of consciousness, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation

Answer

The dedicated monitoring nurse must continuously assess LOC, respiratory status, and oxygen saturation to detect early respiratory depression or over-sedation.

Question 5

When preparing a patient for general anesthesia who takes daily aspirin, the nurse understands that aspirin is typically:

Accepted Answer

Continued for most procedures but stopped 7 days before neurosurgery or high bleeding-risk cases

Answer

Aspirin is often continued perioperatively for cardiac risk reduction, but is typically held 7-10 days before high bleeding-risk surgeries per surgeon and anesthesia team guidance.

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN - Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Test

CMSRN Anesthetist 5