Anesthesia Techniques Flashcards

During IV sedation, the most reliable sign of ADEQUATE sedation is:

Answer: The patient is calm, cooperative, has slurred speech, and is readily arousable

Moderate sedation endpoints: calm, comfortable patient who responds purposefully to verbal/light tactile stimulation, with relaxed muscle tone and mild amnesia.

Which agent is used as a premedicant to reduce oral secretions (antisialagogue) and protect against bradycardia before dental sedation?

Answer: Glycopyrrolate (Robinul)

Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic drug used as a premedication to reduce salivation (antisialagogue) and protect against vagal bradycardia.

What is the PRIMARY advantage of using an LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) over an endotracheal tube in many office sedation emergencies?

Answer: LMA requires less training to insert rapidly and does not require laryngoscopy

LMA insertion does not require laryngoscopy or visualization of the vocal cords, making it much faster to place in an emergency with minimal training compared to endotracheal intubation.

Which patient behavior during sedation MOST reliably indicates that a procedure is causing breakthrough pain?

Answer: Purposeful movement away from the stimulus or verbal report of pain

Purposeful withdrawal from a painful stimulus or verbal pain report indicates inadequate analgesia. Reflexive movement and isolated minor vital sign changes are less specific.

Which statement about the difficult airway in a dental sedation patient is CORRECT?

Answer: Unanticipated difficult airways can occur even in patients with normal airway assessments

A substantial proportion of difficult airways are unanticipated. Pre-assessment reduces but does not eliminate this risk - providers must always have rescue plans.

The recommended pre-oxygenation technique for an adult patient before IV sedation is:

Answer: 10 to 15 L/min via tight-fitting non-rebreather mask for 3 to 5 minutes (or 8 deep breaths)

Pre-oxygenation with 100 percent O2 at 10 to 15 L/min for 3 to 5 minutes (or 8 vital capacity breaths) denitrogenates the lungs, maximizing apnea tolerance before sedation.