Preoperative Evaluation & Anesthetic Considerations

Seven question-and-answer flashcards covering key considerations in the preoperative evaluation for anesthesia.

Why must the indication for surgery be identified during anesthesia planning?

Because underlying conditions associated with the surgery (e.g., severe GERD in esophageal fundoplication) may necessitate specific modifications such as pre-operative non-particulate antacid and rapid-sequence induction.

What anesthetic options are commonly available for hand surgery?

Local anesthesia, peripheral nerve blockade, general anesthesia, or a combination of these techniques.

How does the urgency of a procedure influence preoperative testing?

Emergent or urgent cases (e.g., acute appendicitis) often cannot be delayed for extensive testing without increasing patient risk, while elective cases allow more time for evaluation.

Contrast the inherent perioperative risks of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cataract extraction.

CABG carries significant risks such as death, stroke, and myocardial infarction, whereas cataract extraction has very low perioperative morbidity.

How might an anesthetic plan be altered for a patient with poorly controlled systemic hypertension undergoing laryngoscopy?

The provider may increase the induction dose of agents like propofol and administer a short-acting beta blocker such as esmolol to blunt an exaggerated hypertensive response.

Why are previous anesthesia records crucial when planning airway management?

They document the ease or difficulty of past airway management; a previously uncomplicated laryngoscopy may support a routine approach even if some risk factors are present.

Aside from airway details, what past intraoperative or postoperative events should anesthesiologists review in previous records?

Any episodes of hemodynamic or respiratory instability and occurrences of postoperative nausea, as these can influence current anesthetic management.