C-AA flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

MAC definition

Minimum alveolar concentration at one atmosphere that prevents movement in 50% of patients exposed to a standardized noxious stimulus.

Oxygen content formula

Arterial oxygen content equals 1.34 times hemoglobin times oxygen saturation plus 0.003 times arterial oxygen partial pressure.

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

pH equals 6.1 plus the logarithm of bicarbonate concentration divided by 0.03 times arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure.

Benzodiazepine receptor target

Benzodiazepines potentiate GABA at GABA-A receptors, increasing chloride conductance and producing sedation, anxiolysis, amnesia, and anticonvulsant effects.

Ketamine mechanism

Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that produces dissociative anesthesia, analgesia, and sympathetic stimulation while preserving spontaneous ventilation.

Context-sensitive half-time

Time for plasma concentration to fall by half after stopping an infusion; it increases with infusion duration for lipophilic drugs such as propofol.

Neuromuscular junction transmitter

Acetylcholine released from motor nerve terminals binds nicotinic receptors on the motor end plate, causing depolarization; acetylcholinesterase then breaks it down.

Pulse oximetry principle

Pulse oximetry compares light absorption at red and infrared wavelengths to estimate arterial oxygen saturation; motion, poor perfusion, and dyshemoglobins can cause error.

Capnography sudden zero

A sudden capnography drop to zero suggests esophageal intubation, disconnection, circuit leak, or cardiac arrest rather than hypoventilation.

Vaporizer variable bypass

A variable-bypass vaporizer divides fresh gas between a vaporizing chamber and a bypass channel; agent-specific calibration and temperature compensation maintain a set output concentration.

Pipeline oxygen pressure

Hospital oxygen pipelines typically deliver gas at approximately 50 pounds per square inch, while full oxygen cylinders contain about 2,200 pounds per square inch.

NIBP cuff width

The blood pressure cuff bladder width should be about 40% of upper arm circumference; a cuff that is too small overestimates blood pressure.

Capnogram normal value

End-tidal carbon dioxide normally ranges from 35 to 45 millimeters of mercury and approximates arterial carbon dioxide in healthy patients.

ASA physical status I

A normal healthy patient without systemic disease; examples include a nonsmoking patient with no medical problems undergoing elective surgery.

Mallampati class I

Soft palate, uvula, fauces, and tonsillar pillars are visible when the patient sits upright with mouth open and tongue protruded.

NPO clear fluids

Clear liquids may be taken until two hours before elective anesthesia; breast milk requires four hours, infant formula six hours, and a light meal six hours.

RCRI factors

Revised Cardiac Risk Index factors are ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, insulin-treated diabetes, creatinine above 2 mg/dL, and high-risk surgery.

Difficult mask ventilation

Predictors include age over 55, body mass index over 30, beard, edentulous mouth, snoring, and limited jaw protrusion; each increases the risk of inadequate mask seal.

Informed consent elements

Valid informed consent requires decision-making capacity, disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives, understanding, voluntariness, and documentation of the patient's authorization.

Propofol induction dose

For healthy adults, propofol induction typically uses 1.5 to 2.5 milligrams per kilogram intravenously, with lower doses in elderly or hemodynamically unstable patients.

Etomidate induction dose

Etomidate is given at 0.2 to 0.3 milligrams per kilogram intravenously; it provides cardiovascular stability but can cause adrenal suppression.

Succinylcholine dose

Succinylcholine for rapid sequence intubation is dosed at 1 to 1.5 milligrams per kilogram intravenously in adults, with onset within about one minute.

Malignant hyperthermia treatment

Stop triggering agents, give 100% oxygen, dantrolene 2.5 milligrams per kilogram intravenously, cool the patient, and treat hyperkalemia and acidosis.

Lipid emulsion dosing

For local anesthetic systemic toxicity, give 20% lipid emulsion 1.5 milliliters per kilogram bolus, then infuse 0.25 milliliters per kilogram per minute.

Lung-protective ventilation

Use tidal volume 6 to 8 milliliters per kilogram predicted body weight, positive end-expiratory pressure about 5 centimeters of water, and avoid excessive plateau pressure.

Train-of-four reversal

A train-of-four ratio above 0.9 indicates adequate recovery from nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade; values below 0.9 warrant reversal or continued monitoring.

Aldrete discharge score

The Aldrete score assesses activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation; a total of 9 or higher is commonly required for phase I recovery discharge.

Apfel PONV factors

Apfel risk factors are female sex, nonsmoking status, history of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and postoperative opioid use.

Anaphylaxis first drug

Intramuscular epinephrine is first-line therapy for perioperative anaphylaxis; adults typically receive 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams of 1:1,000 solution.

Most common postop atelectasis

Atelectasis is the most common postoperative respiratory complication; it causes hypoxemia and fever and is reduced by lung expansion maneuvers.

Phase I PACU handoff

The anesthesia provider reports procedure, medications, airway management, vital signs, fluid balance, lines, allergies, and anticipated complications to the receiving nurse.

Surgical safety checklist

The WHO-style checklist verifies patient identity, procedure, site, consent, allergies, airway risk, blood loss, antibiotic timing, and instrument counts before key phases.