Anesthesia and Sedation Principles Flashcards
7 cards from real CNOR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Anesthesia and Sedation Principles flashcards as text
Which neuromuscular blocking agent is considered a depolarizing agent?
Answer: Succinylcholine
Succinylcholine is the only commonly used depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, causing persistent depolarization of the motor end plate.
When a patient is placed in the Trendelenburg position during surgery under general anesthesia, which respiratory complication is most likely?
Answer: Reduced functional residual capacity
Trendelenburg position causes abdominal contents to press on the diaphragm, reducing functional residual capacity and worsening ventilation.
The perioperative nurse notes the anesthesia provider is using a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). This device is BEST described as:
Answer: A supraglottic airway device that sits above the larynx
An LMA is a supraglottic airway that forms a seal over the laryngeal inlet without entering the trachea.
A patient receiving monitored anesthesia care (MAC) becomes unresponsive to verbal stimulation and requires airway intervention. This represents a transition to:
Answer: General anesthesia
When a patient requires airway intervention under MAC, the level has progressed to general anesthesia regardless of the original intent.
Which volatile anesthetic agent is associated with the highest risk of malignant hyperthermia triggering?
Answer: Desflurane
All halogenated volatile agents including desflurane can trigger malignant hyperthermia, but desflurane is particularly potent; propofol and nitrous oxide are considered safe.
During spinal anesthesia, hypotension occurs most commonly due to:
Answer: Sympathetic blockade causing vasodilation
Spinal anesthesia blocks sympathetic nerve fibers, causing vasodilation and venous pooling that reduces preload and blood pressure.
The scrub person observes that the surgical field begins to bleed more briskly. The anesthesia provider states the patient is on heparin. Which agent would be given to reverse heparin?
Answer: Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin by forming a stable complex with it, reversing its anticoagulant effects.