Uptake & Distribution
Minimum Alveolar Concentration
Pharmacokinetics & Solubility
Physiologic Effects
History & Clinical Applications
400

This ratio (FA/FI) describes the rate at which alveolar concentration approaches inspired concentration.

What is the alveolar-to-inspired ratio?

400

MAC is defined as the alveolar concentration that prevents movement in this percentage of patients exposed to surgical incision.

What is 50%?

400

This inhaled anesthetic has the lowest blood:gas solubility, making it the fastest in onset and recovery.

What is desflurane?

400

All modern volatile anesthetics decrease this cardiovascular parameter by reducing myocardial contractility and systemic vascular resistance.

What is blood pressure (mean arterial pressure)?

400

This inhaled agent, once widely used, is associated with hepatotoxicity called “halothane hepatitis.”

What is halothane?

800

The speed of anesthetic induction depends primarily on this physical property of the gas.

What is blood:gas solubility?

800

This patient factor consistently lowers MAC.

What is advanced age?

800

This anesthetic is unique for being non-volatile and administered as a gas at room temperature.

What is nitrous oxide?

800

Volatile anesthetics depress this ventilatory reflex, making patients more prone to hypercarbia.

What is the hypoxic ventilatory drive?

800

This inhaled agent is sweet-smelling, non-pungent, and commonly chosen for mask induction in pediatrics.

What is sevoflurane?

1200

The phenomenon where nitrous oxide accelerates the rise of alveolar concentration of another agent.

What is the second-gas effect?

1200

Adding opioids or benzodiazepines to anesthesia has this effect on MAC.

What is it decreases MAC?

1200

Fat solubility of inhaled anesthetics prolongs recovery after long cases because of uptake into this tissue group.

What is the fat compartment?

1200

Volatile anesthetics increase cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure through this mechanism.

What is cerebral vasodilation?

1200

This pungent agent can cause airway irritation and coughing if used for mask induction.

What is desflurane?

1600

The concentration effect describes the increase in FA/FI with higher inspired concentrations of this anesthetic.

What is nitrous oxide?

1600

Hyperthermia and chronic alcohol use both have this effect on MAC.

What is increase MAC?

1600

Isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane are all derived from this chemical class.

What are halogenated ethers?

1600

All volatile anesthetics can trigger this life-threatening genetic disorder involving abnormal calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

What is malignant hyperthermia?

1600

This fluorinated anesthetic was removed from the market due to nephrotoxicity from fluoride ion release.

What is methoxyflurane?

2000

Vessel-rich tissues equilibrate with anesthetic gases first because of this physiologic factor.

What is high perfusion (blood flow)?

2000

The MAC of nitrous oxide is approximately this value, making it impossible to achieve surgical anesthesia with N₂O alone.

What is ~105%?

2000

This volatile anesthetic has a blood:gas solubility of ~0.6, making it intermediate in onset between isoflurane and desflurane.

What is sevoflurane?

2000

High concentrations of nitrous oxide can cause diffusion hypoxia after discontinuation unless the patient receives this gas.

What is 100% oxygen?

2000

Known as the “Father of Modern Anesthesia,” this American dentist first used ether in a public demonstration in 1846.

Who is William T. G. Morton?

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