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…
1 What is capnometry? Capnometry is a monitor which detects and measures expired carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Capnometry can be qualitative where the device changes color when CO 2 is detected, or quantitative where the device measures the expired…
1 Review pulse oximetry Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive method by which arterial oxygenation can be approximated. It is based on the Beer-Lambert law and spectrophotometric analysis. When applied to pulse oximetry, the Beer-Lambert law essentially states that the intensity…
1 What are the benefits of vasoactive agents? All major components governing the physiology of cardiac output, such as preload, afterload, inotropy, and chronotropy can be modulated by vasoactive agents. An underlying concept is the Frank-Starling principle, which states that…
1 Discuss the role of local anesthetics in the practice of anesthesiology Because local anesthetics (LAs) reversibly block nerve conduction, they are used to provide intra- and postoperative regional anesthesia for painful surgical procedures. Beyond regional anesthesia, local anesthetics (most…
1 Describe the morphology of the neuromuscular junction The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) consists of three cell types: the motor neuron, muscle fiber, and Schwann cell. The motor neuron originates in the ventral horn of the spinal cord or brainstem (in…
1 What is an opiate? An opioid? A narcotic? Opiates are analgesic and sedative drugs that contain opium or an opium derivative from the poppy plant ( Papaver somniferum ). Opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine. An opioid is any…
1 What qualities would the ideal intravenous anesthetic agent possess? The ideal intravenous induction would produce amnesia, analgesia, hypnosis, and muscle relaxation. Adverse effects and interactions would be rare. Administration would be painless via multiple routes of delivery. Interindividual dose…