Anatomic Landmarks & Nerve Blocks
Agent or Impostor?
Charge That Gradient!
The MAC Attack
That’s Gonna Leave a Mark (Complications & Crisis)
100

This nerve is targeted in a popliteal fossa block and provides motor and sensory innervation to the distal lower leg.

What is the sciatic nerve?

100

This induction agent causes adrenal suppression by inhibiting 11-β-hydroxylase.

What is etomidate?

100

This ion is primarily responsible for the resting membrane potential of most excitable cells.

What is potassium (K⁺)?

100

This MAC value represents the minimum alveolar concentration at which 50% of patients will not move in response to surgical stimulus.

What is 1.0 MAC?

100

This condition is characterized by a rise in end-tidal CO₂, tachycardia, and masseter rigidity.

What is malignant hyperthermia?

200

The saphenous nerve is a branch of this larger nerve.

What is the femoral nerve?

200

This drug is a selective α-2 agonist used for sedation without respiratory depression.

What is dexmedetomidine?

200

Opening of these channels is responsible for the rapid depolarization (Phase 0) of a cardiac myocyte action potential.

What are sodium (Na⁺) channels?

200

This inhaled agent has the lowest blood-gas partition coefficient, resulting in the fastest induction.

What is desflurane?

200

This type of embolism is a known risk during orthopedic cemented joint replacements.

What is a fat embolism (or bone cement implantation syndrome)?

300

In a supraclavicular block, accidental needle placement into this structure can cause a pneumothorax.

What is the pleura or the apex of the lung?

300

This agent is contraindicated in patients with acute porphyria.

What is thiopental (or barbiturates in general)?

300

This ion’s extracellular concentration directly affects cardiac excitability and the risk for arrhythmias.

What is potassium (K⁺)?

300

Factors such as age, hypothermia, and acute alcohol intoxication have this effect on MAC.

What is they decrease MAC?

300

During spinal anesthesia, this life-threatening complication is suggested by sudden apnea, hypotension, and loss of consciousness.

What is a high spinal block (or total spinal)?

400

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block deposits local anesthetic between these two muscle layers.

What are the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles?

400

This muscle relaxant is eliminated by Hoffman degradation, independent of organ function.

What is cisatracurium?

400

Calcium-induced calcium release in cardiac muscle occurs via these intracellular receptors on the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

What are ryanodine receptors?

400

This volatile agent can trigger sympathetic activation if delivered too rapidly.

What is desflurane?

400

This is the first-line agent to treat local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).

What is intralipid (20% lipid emulsion)?

500

The stellate ganglion block targets sympathetic fibers originating from this spinal level range.

What are C6–T1?

500

This synthetic opioid is known for rapid redistribution and requires context-sensitive awareness for infusion durations.

What is remifentanil?

500

In depolarizing neuromuscular blockade, this electrolyte imbalance is most dangerous due to upregulation of extrajunctional ACh receptors.

What is hyperkalemia?

500

In terms of MAC-awake, most inhaled agents allow return of consciousness at approximately this percentage of 1.0 MAC.

What is 0.3–0.4 MAC?

500

This nerve is most at risk for injury in the lithotomy position and may present as foot drop post-op.

What is the common peroneal nerve?

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