Iraqi Board Anesthesia study plan

Iraqi Board Anesthesia · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Basic sciences applied to anesthesia: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physics and equipment

Explain the physiology of oxygen delivery and consumption, including the DO2/VO2 relationship, and calculate both from a worked clinical scenario.
Compare the pharmacokinetics of propofol, thiopentone, ketamine and etomidate using context-sensitive half-time and recovery profiles.
Draw and label the anesthesia machine gas pathway from pipeline inlet to scavenging, naming each component and its failure mode.
Derive the physics behind pulse oximetry, capnography and the Nernst equation as applied to blood gas electrodes.
Build a one-page formula sheet covering vaporizer output, nitrous oxide uptake, local anesthetic maximum dose and fluid deficit.

A 40-item self-written flashcard deck on pharmacology and equipment physics, scored at least 85% on a self-test.

Week 2

Relate upper airway and vertebral anatomy to the technique of spinal, epidural and awake fibreoptic intubation.
Explain the mechanism, dose and reversal of neuromuscular blockade for each of the three classes of blocking drugs.
Describe the uptake, distribution and toxicity thresholds of bupivacaine, lidocaine and ropivacaine.
Summarize the MAC concept and the factors that alter MAC for volatile agents.
Outline the components of a safe general anesthetic sequence from preoxygenation to emergence.

A written table of 10 anesthetic drugs with induction dose, maintenance, offset, key side effect and one clinical caveat each.

Week 3

Perform a structured preoperative risk assessment using ASA class, functional capacity and a validated cardiac risk index.
Decide when to order preoperative investigations based on the patient's comorbidities rather than routine ordering.
Plan the management of a patient with a difficult airway using a published airway algorithm.
Compare the Mallampati, thyromental distance and other airway predictors and state their sensitivity limits.
Formulate an oxygen delivery plan for a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing emergency surgery.

Two written case work-ups (one cardiac, one airway) with a defensible risk statement and management plan.

Week 4

Compare general, neuraxial and monitored anesthesia care for a given procedure using a decision matrix of safety and recovery.
Interpret a capnogram for bronchospasm, esophageal intubation and malignant hyperthermia.
Explain the function and limitations of the arterial line, central venous pressure, and depth-of-anesthesia monitoring.
Describe the WHO surgical safety checklist and identify two system failures it is designed to catch.
Demonstrate how to manage an intraoperative awareness event after it occurs.

A 20-question self-made quiz on monitoring and safety, with a written explanation of each answer.

Week 5

Outline the anesthetic plan for a patient with severe aortic stenosis undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Describe the airway and ventilation strategy for one-lung ventilation and identify the common complications.
Explain the physiology of increased intracranial pressure and the anesthetic implications for neurosurgery.
Compare spinal and general anesthesia for cesarean delivery and state the indications for each.
Plan perioperative glucose and steroid management for a diabetic patient on long-term steroids.

Five short specialty plans of 200 words each, one per surgical specialty, with one drug choice and one physiologic rationale per plan.

Week 6

Explain the pathophysiology and management of septic shock, including vasopressor choice and fluid strategy.
Interpret arterial blood gases and describe the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Construct an acute pain plan using multimodal analgesia and describe the role of regional blocks.
Differentiate nociceptive from neuropathic pain and match first-line drugs to each.
Describe the management of an opioid-tolerant patient presenting for acute surgery.

A two-page pain and critical care protocol covering sepsis resuscitation, ARDS ventilation and acute postoperative analgesia.

Week 7

Run a simulated adult cardiac arrest using the current advanced life support algorithm.
Explain the damage-control approach to major trauma, including massive transfusion and permissive hypotension.
Describe the airway management of a patient with a full stomach and a cervical spine injury.
Identify the indications and contraindications for rapid sequence intubation and describe the drugs used.
Summarize the management of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.

A written trauma and resuscitation case log of three scenarios with the exact drug doses and sequence used.

Week 8

Describe the presentation and initial management of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypoxemia and delirium.
Explain the principles of informed consent and capacity in anesthesia practice.
Identify the reporting pathway for a critical incident and describe the elements of a root cause analysis.
Review all previous deliverables and list the five weakest topics for final revision.
Complete two timed mock examinations of 100 questions each.

A final revision sheet of the 20 weakest facts with a corrected explanation for each.

Week 4: Score at least 70% on a 60-question timed mock covering domains 1 to 5.

Week 6: Complete all seven deliverables to date and rate each as complete or incomplete.

Week 8: Score at least 75% on two full-length 100-question mock examinations.