Preoperative Evaluation & Risk Assessment Flashcards

Why is preoperative evaluation critical?

Answer: Identifies risks

Preoperative evaluation is critical because it allows the anesthesia team to thoroughly assess a patient's health status, identify pre-existing medical conditions, and evaluate potential risks associated with anesthesia and surgery. This comprehensive assessment helps in formulating a safe and individualized anesthetic plan.

Which tool assesses patient functional status?

Answer: ASA classification

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System is widely used to assess a patient's overall health and functional status before surgery. It categorizes patients based on their systemic disease, providing a standardized way to communicate and predict perioperative risk.

What condition increases anesthesia risk?

Answer: Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea significantly increases anesthesia risk due to potential airway obstruction and respiratory depression during and after surgery. Patients with sleep apnea are more prone to complications like hypoxemia and difficult airway management, requiring careful preoperative assessment and planning to mitigate these risks.

Why review medication history preoperatively?

Answer: Check interactions

Reviewing a patient's medication history preoperatively is essential to identify potential drug interactions with anesthetic agents. It also helps in understanding chronic conditions, assessing the need for dose adjustments, or temporarily discontinuing certain medications to ensure patient safety during surgery.

What lab test is essential before anesthesia?

Answer: Coagulation profile

A coagulation profile (e.g., PT, PTT, INR) is essential before anesthesia, especially for procedures with significant bleeding risk or when regional anesthesia is planned. It assesses the patient's blood clotting ability, helping to identify bleeding disorders or the effects of anticoagulant medications that could lead to complications.

Why assess airway anatomy before surgery?

Answer: Predicts intubation difficulty

Assessing airway anatomy preoperatively, using methods like the Mallampati score, is vital for predicting potential difficulties with intubation. This allows the anesthesiologist to prepare appropriate equipment and strategies, ensuring safe and efficient airway management during anesthesia.

What is the role of fasting before anesthesia?

Answer: Reduce aspiration risk

Fasting before anesthesia is a critical safety measure designed to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration, where stomach contents enter the lungs. An empty stomach minimizes the volume of gastric fluid, thereby lowering the chance of severe lung injury if regurgitation occurs during induction or emergence from anesthesia.

How does smoking affect anesthesia risk?

Answer: Increases complications

Smoking significantly increases anesthesia risk by impairing respiratory and cardiovascular function. Smokers are more prone to pulmonary complications like pneumonia, bronchospasm, and delayed wound healing, as well as cardiovascular events, due to the chronic effects of nicotine and other toxins.

What is a contraindication for regional anesthesia?

Answer: Coagulopathy

Coagulopathy, or impaired blood clotting, is a major contraindication for regional anesthesia, such as spinal or epidural blocks. Performing these procedures in a patient with a bleeding disorder significantly increases the risk of hematoma formation, which can lead to severe neurological damage.