SELF/Anesthesia and Critical Care/Spinal Anesthesia/Pre-procedure Quiz

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Instructions

Work through each question carefully to choose the best answer, and submit the quiz to view your results. After completing the quiz, read through the answer explanations to review the reasoning behind both correct and incorrect options.

A 65-year-old trauma patient in hypovolemic shock requires rapid fluid resuscitation. Examination shows erythema and tenderness at the right groin. Which is the most appropriate action?

	Attempt subclavian access despite unstable condition
	Delay central access until infection resolves
	Proceed with right femoral catheter insertion after antiseptic cleaning
	Use the left femoral vein for access after assessing for thrombosis

A patient’s family expresses concern about using the femoral site for central access. Which explanation demonstrates appropriate consent communication?

	“We always use the groin because it’s easier to reach.”
	“You’ll need to sign consent quickly; we’ll explain the rest afterward.”
	“The femoral site is faster for emergencies, with fewer immediate life-threatening risks.”
	“This site is best because infections are impossible here.”

During setup, the operator draws lidocaine but fails to label the syringe before placing it on the sterile field. What is the most appropriate corrective step?

	Label the syringe immediately before continuing the procedure
	Discard the syringe and use only prefilled solutions
	Continue without labeling to save time
	Assume the content is correct since it was just prepared

After insertion, bright red, pulsatile blood is aspirated from the catheter. What should be done immediately?

	Withdraw the catheter and apply firm pressure
	Secure the line and start resuscitation fluids
	Insert a guidewire to reposition
	Confirm placement by flushing with saline

During post-placement checks, one lumen aspirates freely but resists flushing. What is the next step?

	Attempt gentle aspiration and adjust catheter position before use
	Force-flush the line to clear blockage
	Remove the entire catheter immediately
	Continue using other lumens and ignore the resistant one

During line disconnection, the patient becomes acutely dyspneic. What should the operator do first while communicating with the team?

	Clamp the catheter and place the patient supine or Trendelenburg
	Order an immediate chest radiograph before intervention
	Ask the nurse to prepare vasopressors
	Flush the line to clear potential air

During rounds, a resident notices redness and discharge at a femoral site but the attending instructs to “just monitor it until morning.” What is the most appropriate response?

	Clean the site and apply extra dressing for coverage
	Politely recommend removing the line and obtaining cultures immediately
	Flush the catheter with heparin to maintain patency
	Document the order and take no further action

In a rural hospital, only gauze and tape are available for dressing. What adjustment ensures patient safety?

	Replace gauze regularly and inspect the site more frequently
	Delay catheter placement until transparent film is available
	Apply extra gauze layers to keep the area sealed
	Avoid handling the site to reduce contamination

During catheter fixation, a resident ties the suture tightly around the skin edge to secure the hub. What risk does this introduce?

	Poor visualization under the dressing
	Dislodgement of the catheter
	Air entry through suture holes
	Local tissue ischemia and necrosis

A hypotensive trauma patient cannot consent, and no relatives are available. Central access is urgently required for life-saving therapy. What is the most appropriate action?

	Proceed with insertion under implied consent and document the reason
	Proceed but omit documentation since it was an emergency
	Wait until next of kin can be reached for permission
	Use only peripheral access despite failed attempts

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Keywords	surgery, health
SDG	SDG03 Good health and well-being
Authors	Global Surgical Training Challenge
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Organizations	WACS, SELF
Language	English (en)
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Created	November 10, 2025 by KatKor
Last edit	March 8, 2026 by Ian-laurel
Cite as	KatKor (2025–2026). "SELF/Anesthesia and Critical Care/Spinal Anesthesia/Pre-procedure Quiz". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
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