CST Pharmacology & Anesthesia Flashcards

What is the purpose of administering a prophylactic antibiotic before the surgical incision?

Answer: To reduce the risk of surgical site infection

Prophylactic antibiotics are given within 60 minutes before incision to reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs).

Which drug class is used to facilitate endotracheal intubation by temporarily paralyzing skeletal muscles?

Answer: Neuromuscular blocking agents

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), such as succinylcholine and rocuronium, paralyze skeletal muscles to allow intubation and mechanical ventilation.

During a procedure, the surgeon requests a 1% lidocaine solution with 1:200,000 epinephrine. What does the concentration '1%' indicate?

Answer: 10 mg per mL

A 1% solution contains 10 mg of drug per mL (1 g per 100 mL), a standard pharmacology calculation used in the OR.

What is the role of neostigmine in the anesthesia reversal process?

Answer: Reverses neuromuscular blockade

Neostigmine is an anticholinesterase agent that reverses non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade at the end of surgery.

Which of the following is a water-soluble lubricant used by surgical technologists when preparing an endoscope or urinary catheter on the sterile field?

Answer: Sterile K-Y jelly

Water-soluble sterile lubricant (e.g., sterile K-Y jelly) is used for scopes and catheters because it dissolves and does not cause tissue irritation.

A patient has a documented allergy to penicillin. Which antibiotic class requires the most caution due to potential cross-reactivity?

Answer: Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins have a small but documented cross-reactivity risk with penicillin-allergic patients, so they require caution and careful allergy history review.