VTNE Veterinary Anesthesia 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A horse anesthetized with guaifenesin-ketamine develops muscle rigidity and paddling. Which drug should be administered to address this?
- Additional ketamine bolus
- Diazepam IV (Correct answer)
- Atropine IV
- Epinephrine IM
Correct answer: Diazepam IV
Diazepam (a benzodiazepine) provides muscle relaxation and helps control excitement or rigidity seen with dissociative anesthesia in horses.
Question 2: When performing a pre-anesthetic physical exam, which ASA classification applies to a patient with a severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life?
- ASA II
- ASA III
- ASA IV (Correct answer)
- ASA V
Correct answer: ASA IV
ASA IV describes a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant life threat, representing very high anesthetic risk.
Question 3: Which of the following inhalant anesthetics has the LOWEST blood:gas partition coefficient, resulting in the fastest induction and recovery?
- Halothane
- Isoflurane
- Sevoflurane
- Desflurane (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Desflurane
Desflurane has the lowest blood:gas partition coefficient (0.42), meaning it equilibrates rapidly and produces the fastest induction and recovery.
Question 4: A technician notices that the CO2 absorbent granules in a circle system have turned permanently blue-purple throughout. What does this indicate?
- Normal color — the absorbent is fresh
- The absorbent is exhausted and must be replaced (Correct answer)
- Excessive moisture in the system
- Halothane contamination
Correct answer: The absorbent is exhausted and must be replaced
Most CO2 absorbents contain a pH indicator that permanently changes color (e.g., blue-purple for Baralyme, violet for Sodasorb) when exhausted and unable to absorb CO2.
Question 5: Which opioid is considered a full mu-receptor agonist and is commonly used intraoperatively as a constant rate infusion (CRI) for analgesia?
- Butorphanol
- Buprenorphine
- Naloxone
- Fentanyl (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a potent full mu-agonist with rapid onset and short duration, making it ideal for intraoperative CRI analgesia.
Question 6: In small animal anesthesia, what is the primary purpose of using a cuffed endotracheal tube?
- To increase dead space
- To prevent aspiration and create a seal for positive-pressure ventilation (Correct answer)
- To facilitate CO2 absorption
- To deliver oxygen directly to the alveoli
Correct answer: To prevent aspiration and create a seal for positive-pressure ventilation
A cuffed endotracheal tube seals the trachea to prevent aspiration of oral fluids/regurgitation and allows effective positive-pressure ventilation.
Question 7: Which alpha-2 adrenergic agonist is most commonly used in small animal anesthesia for sedation and can be reversed with atipamezole?
- Romifidine
- Detomidine
- Dexmedetomidine (Correct answer)
- Xylazine
Correct answer: Dexmedetomidine
Dexmedetomidine is widely used in small animal anesthesia and can be specifically reversed with atipamezole (Antisedan).
VTNE Veterinary Anesthesia 3
A horse anesthetized with guaifenesin-ketamine develops muscle rigidity and paddling.
Which drug should be administered to address this?