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Veterinary Anesthesia and Pain Management Flashcards

7 cards from real NAVLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which preanesthetic agent is CONTRAINDICATED in patients with suspected splenic masses because it causes splenic engorgement and sequestration of red blood cells?

    Answer: Acepromazine

    Acepromazine (a phenothiazine) causes splenic engorgement by relaxing the splenic capsule, which can significantly enlarge an existing splenic mass and complicate diagnosis or surgery.

  2. Among the currently used inhalant anesthetics, which has the LOWEST blood:gas partition coefficient, resulting in the fastest induction and recovery?

    Answer: Desflurane

    Desflurane has the lowest blood:gas partition coefficient (~0.42), meaning it equilibrates rapidly between blood and alveoli, producing the fastest induction and recovery of the available inhalants.

  3. A cat receiving repeated or prolonged propofol infusions is at risk for which unique hematologic complication?

    Answer: Heinz body anemia

    Cats lack efficient glucuronidation and are sensitive to the phenolic compounds in propofol, which can cause oxidative damage to hemoglobin and formation of Heinz bodies, leading to hemolytic anemia.

  4. Xylazine and dexmedetomidine produce sedation and analgesia through which primary mechanism of action?

    Answer: Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonism

    Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists such as xylazine and dexmedetomidine bind presynaptic and postsynaptic alpha-2 receptors in the CNS and periphery, producing dose-dependent sedation, muscle relaxation, and analgesia.

  5. Which preanesthetic agent has the LEAST cardiovascular depression and is therefore most appropriate in critically ill or hemodynamically unstable patients?

    Answer: Midazolam

    Midazolam and other benzodiazepines have minimal cardiovascular effects, making them preferred preanesthetic agents for critically ill, geriatric, or hemodynamically compromised patients.

  6. Ketamine is commonly used as an induction agent, particularly in cats. What is its PRIMARY mechanism of anesthetic action?

    Answer: NMDA receptor antagonism

    Ketamine produces dissociative anesthesia primarily by non-competitive antagonism of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptors, which also contributes to its analgesic properties.

  7. Which drug is the specific reversal agent for alpha-2 adrenergic agonist sedation (e.g., medetomidine, dexmedetomidine) in veterinary patients?

    Answer: Atipamezole

    Atipamezole is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist that rapidly reverses the sedation, analgesia, and cardiovascular effects of alpha-2 agonists such as medetomidine and dexmedetomidine.