VTNE Veterinary Anesthesia 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A cat recovering from anesthesia develops laryngospasm upon extubation. What is the FIRST action the technician should take?
- Administer succinylcholine IV
- Gently extend the neck and attempt oxygen supplementation; re-intubate if necessary (Correct answer)
- Apply firm sternal pressure
- Administer atropine IM
Correct answer: Gently extend the neck and attempt oxygen supplementation; re-intubate if necessary
Gentle neck extension, oxygen supplementation, and re-intubation if the airway does not open are the immediate priorities for managing laryngospasm in cats.
Question 2: Which anesthetic complication is MOST associated with brachycephalic breeds undergoing general anesthesia?
- Hyperthermia
- Upper airway obstruction during recovery (Correct answer)
- Hypoglycemia
- Prolonged QT interval
Correct answer: Upper airway obstruction during recovery
Brachycephalic breeds are predisposed to upper airway obstruction, especially during recovery, due to elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, and hypoplastic trachea.
Question 3: What is the purpose of performing a 'leak test' on an anesthesia machine before use?
- To verify vaporizer agent concentration
- To detect any leaks in the breathing circuit that could expose staff or patients to waste gas (Correct answer)
- To calibrate the oxygen flow meter
- To confirm CO2 absorbent is functional
Correct answer: To detect any leaks in the breathing circuit that could expose staff or patients to waste gas
A leak test identifies holes or disconnections in the breathing circuit that could reduce delivered anesthetic concentration and expose personnel to waste anesthetic gases.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'balanced anesthesia'?
- Using equal doses of two inhalant agents simultaneously
- Combining multiple drug classes to provide analgesia, sedation, and muscle relaxation while minimizing individual drug doses (Correct answer)
- Maintaining equal inhalant concentration throughout the procedure
- Using the same drug protocol regardless of patient species
Correct answer: Combining multiple drug classes to provide analgesia, sedation, and muscle relaxation while minimizing individual drug doses
Balanced anesthesia combines analgesics, sedatives, and muscle relaxants at lower individual doses to achieve better anesthesia with fewer side effects than relying on a single agent.
Question 5: A technician is monitoring an anesthetized ferret and notes that rectal temperature has dropped to 96°F (35.6°C). Which ACTIVE warming method is safest?
- Electric heating pad set to high placed directly under the patient
- Warm water circulating blanket or forced warm-air blanket (Correct answer)
- Heat lamp placed 6 inches from the patient
- Warm water bottles filled with boiling water
Correct answer: Warm water circulating blanket or forced warm-air blanket
Warm water circulating blankets and forced warm-air systems provide consistent, safe warming without the thermal burn risk associated with direct heat sources.
Question 6: Which of the following is a CONTRAINDICATION to the use of ketamine as the sole induction agent in cats?
- Orthopedic surgery
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (Correct answer)
- Routine castration
- Dental prophylaxis
Correct answer: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Ketamine increases heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, which is dangerous in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) where the heart cannot compensate.
Question 7: What is the MOST reliable indicator of adequate endotracheal tube cuff inflation without causing tracheal mucosal damage?
- Inflating until no resistance is felt with the syringe
- Using a manometer to maintain cuff pressure between 20–30 cm H2O (Correct answer)
- Inflating until a firm feel is palpated at the pilot balloon
- Inflating with exactly 5 mL of air regardless of tube size
Correct answer: Using a manometer to maintain cuff pressure between 20–30 cm H2O
A manometer ensures the cuff pressure stays in the 20–30 cm H2O range, preventing both aspiration (under-inflation) and tracheal ischemia (over-inflation).
VTNE Veterinary Anesthesia 5
A cat recovering from anesthesia develops laryngospasm upon extubation.
What is the FIRST action the technician should take?