Anesthesia and Pain Management Flashcards
7 cards from real DVM 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 Pain Management flashcards as text
A brachycephalic breed dog is presented for soft palate resection. Which preoperative concern is MOST critical for anesthetic planning?
Answer: Airway obstruction during recovery
Brachycephalic dogs are at highest risk for postoperative airway obstruction due to edema and anatomic abnormalities, making recovery the most critical phase.
Which alpha-2 adrenergic agonist is MOST commonly used for sedation and analgesia in horses at the field setting?
Answer: Xylazine
Xylazine is the most widely used alpha-2 agonist for equine sedation in field conditions due to its availability, rapid onset, and effective sedation at appropriate doses.
What is the mechanism by which NSAIDs provide analgesia in veterinary patients?
Answer: Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes reducing prostaglandin synthesis
NSAIDs inhibit COX-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and thereby decreasing peripheral and central sensitization.
A feline patient under isoflurane anesthesia develops hypothermia (rectal temperature 34°C). Which consequence is MOST immediately clinically relevant?
Answer: Prolonged drug metabolism and recovery
Hypothermia slows hepatic enzyme activity and drug metabolism, leading to prolonged anesthetic recovery and potential overdose effects.
When performing a retrobulbar block in a dog for enucleation, which serious complication must the clinician be vigilant for?
Answer: Brainstem injection
The optic nerve sheath connects to the subarachnoid space, and inadvertent injection can lead to brainstem spread of local anesthetic, causing apnea and cardiovascular collapse.
Which of the following correctly describes the concept of 'minimum alveolar concentration' (MAC) of an inhalant anesthetic?
Answer: The alveolar concentration that prevents movement in 50% of patients exposed to a noxious stimulus
MAC is defined as the alveolar concentration of an inhalant agent that prevents gross purposeful movement in response to a supramaximal noxious stimulus in 50% of patients.
A dog receiving a morphine CRI post-surgery develops respiratory depression (rate 4 breaths/min). What is the CORRECT reversal agent and dose strategy?
Answer: Naloxone titrated IV in small incremental doses
Naloxone is the opioid antagonist of choice; small incremental IV doses reverse respiratory depression while minimizing the risk of acute pain and cardiovascular excitation.