Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents Flashcards
7 cards from real BCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents flashcards as text
Which induction agent is most appropriate for a patient with a known egg allergy who requires TIVA?
Answer: Ketamine
Ketamine does not contain egg lecithin (unlike propofol's lipid emulsion) and is an appropriate TIVA alternative when egg allergy is a concern.
The addition of epinephrine to a local anesthetic solution is intended to:
Answer: Decrease local vasodilation to prolong block duration
Epinephrine causes local vasoconstriction, reducing systemic absorption of the local anesthetic and thereby prolonging block duration and reducing systemic toxicity.
Rocuronium at a dose of 1.2 mg/kg is used for rapid sequence induction primarily because it:
Answer: Achieves intubating conditions comparable to succinylcholine within 60-90 seconds
High-dose rocuronium (1.2 mg/kg) provides intubating conditions within 60-90 seconds, making it an acceptable alternative to succinylcholine in RSI.
Methemoglobinemia is a potential toxicity associated with which local anesthetic?
Answer: Prilocaine
Prilocaine is metabolized to ortho-toluidine, which oxidizes hemoglobin to methemoglobin, and is the most common local anesthetic cause of methemoglobinemia.
The Bier block (intravenous regional anesthesia) most commonly uses which local anesthetic due to its safety profile if the tourniquet releases prematurely?
Answer: Lidocaine
Lidocaine is used for Bier blocks because its lower cardiotoxicity provides a safer margin if accidental systemic release occurs; bupivacaine is contraindicated due to fatal cardiotoxicity risk.
Volatile anesthetics produce hypnosis primarily through which mechanism?
Answer: Enhancement of GABA-A receptor chloride conductance
Volatile anesthetics potentiate GABA-A receptor function, enhancing inhibitory chloride currents and producing CNS depression leading to hypnosis.
Which pharmacokinetic model best describes the distribution of propofol after a single IV bolus?
Answer: Three-compartment model with rapid initial distribution
Propofol follows a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model: rapid initial distribution to vessel-rich tissues, slower redistribution to muscle, and slow fat equilibration.