Aspiration 1 What is aspiration? Aspiration is the passage of material from the pharynx into the trachea. Aspirated material can originate from the stomach, esophagus, mouth, or nose. The materials involved can be particulate matter (e.g., food), a foreign body,…
1 What blood pressure value is considered hypertensive? The definitions for blood pressure (BP) categories changed in 2017 according to the guidelines released by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology. A normal BP is less than 120/80 mm Hg.…
1 What are the common indications for placement of a permanent pacemaker? Common indications are as follows: symptomatic bradycardia that is not reversible, third-degree heart block (sometimes referred to as complete heart block ) is a problem of the atrioventricular…
1 Describe the electrical conduction system of the heart. The electrical conduction system of the heart is a network of specialized myocardial cells that generate, regulate, and propagate a series of electrical impulses. These impulses are generated by subtle changes…
1 Why might a patient require intubation and mechanical ventilation? There are three main indications: 1) Hypoxic respiratory failure 2) Hypercarbic respiratory failure 3) Airway protection These three indications may be caused by primary respiratory pathology (e.g., pneumonia, chronic obstructive…
1 What is an anesthesia machine? A more modern and correct name for an anesthesia machine is anesthesia delivery system . The job of the first anesthesia machines was to supply a mixture of anesthetizing and life-sustaining gases to the…
1 Why do we administer fluids? What is the most important reason perioperatively? Although there are many reasons to administer fluids to patients (correct electrolyte imbalances, administer drugs, nutrients, antibiotics, etc.), the ultimate goal of perioperative fluid administration is to…
1 What is the role of point-of-care ultrasound and echocardiography in the perioperative and critical care setting? Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool capable of providing real-time, rapid evaluation of patients. It is mobile, easy to use, safe, and less…
1 Define central venous catheterization. A central venous catheter (CVC) or central line is a catheter that is placed into a large vein such that the catheter’s distal orifice is within a central vein. The target central vein for CVCs…
1 What methods are available to measure blood pressure? Blood pressure (BP) measurements can be divided into direct and indirect methods. Indirect methods include using a cuff or palpation of a pulse, whereas direct methods use an arterial catheter. The…