Surgical Pharmacology and Anesthesia Flashcards

Which medication is administered to prevent bradycardia when succinylcholine is used in pediatric patients?

Answer: Atropine

Atropine is given prior to succinylcholine in children to prevent the profound bradycardia that succinylcholine can cause in the pediatric population.

Dantrolene's role in treating malignant hyperthermia is to:

Answer: Inhibit calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Dantrolene prevents the uncontrolled release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle, halting the hypermetabolic cascade of MH.

Which opioid is associated with 'wooden chest syndrome' (chest wall rigidity) when given in large or rapid IV doses?

Answer: Fentanyl

Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids can cause rapid-onset chest wall rigidity, impairing ventilation and requiring NMB agent treatment.

The anesthesia provider asks the CSFA to irrigate the wound with epinephrine-containing solution. The PRIMARY reason for epinephrine in local anesthetic solutions is to:

Answer: Produce vasoconstriction and prolong analgesia

Epinephrine causes local vasoconstriction, which slows absorption of the local anesthetic, prolongs its effect, and reduces systemic toxicity.

Which class of drugs is used to treat intraoperative hypertension by relaxing vascular smooth muscle through direct nitric oxide release?

Answer: Nitrates

Nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside) release nitric oxide, causing vasodilation and rapid reduction of blood pressure.

A patient on chronic warfarin therapy requires emergent surgery. Which product provides the FASTEST reversal of warfarin's anticoagulant effect?

Answer: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)

4-factor PCC provides immediate replenishment of all vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, offering faster reversal than FFP or oral vitamin K.

Which neuromuscular blocking agent is classified as DEPOLARIZING?

Answer: Succinylcholine

Succinylcholine is the only clinically used depolarizing NMBA; it binds acetylcholine receptors and causes prolonged depolarization of the motor end plate.