Safety Protocols & Risk Management Flashcards

According to ASA guidelines, which preoperative fasting interval applies to clear liquids in elective non-pregnant adults?

Answer: 2 hours

ASA NPO guidelines permit clear liquids up to 2 hours before elective procedures in healthy adults.

The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist 'Sign Out' phase is performed at which point?

Answer: Before the patient leaves the operating room

The Sign Out occurs before the patient leaves the OR to confirm specimen labeling, instrument counts, and post-op concerns.

Which gas-delivery system feature prevents inadvertent administration of a hypoxic mixture by linking O2 and N2O flow controls?

Answer: Proportioning system

The proportioning system (e.g., Link-25 or ORMC) mechanically couples N2O and O2 flowmeters to maintain a minimum O2 concentration.

A patient undergoing carotid endarterectomy suddenly becomes unresponsive and apneic under regional anesthesia. The FIRST priority is:

Answer: Secure the airway and ventilate

Airway management and oxygenation are always the first priority regardless of the suspected cause.

Which ASA physical status classification is assigned to a patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis?

Answer: ASA IV

End-stage renal disease on dialysis represents a severe systemic disease with a constant threat to life, consistent with ASA IV.

In the context of malignant hyperthermia (MH) crisis management, the recommended initial dantrolene dose is:

Answer: 2.5 mg/kg IV

The MHAUS protocol recommends an initial dantrolene dose of 2.5 mg/kg IV, repeated every 5 minutes as needed.

Which practice is the most effective single intervention to reduce wrong-site surgery?

Answer: Surgical site marking before the procedure

Pre-procedure surgical site marking by the operating surgeon is the cornerstone of wrong-site surgery prevention per JCAHO Universal Protocol.