Chapter 12: General and Local Anaesthetics
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. After piercing a finger with a fish hook during a fishing trip, a patient is now at an emergency
department to have the hook removed. What type of anaesthesia will be used for this procedure? a.
Topical benzocaine spray to the area
b. Spinal anaesthesia with mepivacaine hydrochloride c. Topical prilocaine cream (EMLA®) around the
site d. Infiltration of the area with tetracaine hydrochloride
ANS: D
Infiltration anaesthesia is commonly used for minor surgical procedures. It involves injecting the local
anaesthetic solution intradermally, subcutaneously, or submucosally across the path of nerves supplying
the area to be anaesthetized. The local anaesthetic may be administered in a circular pattern around the
operative field.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. A patient is to receive local anaesthesia for removal of a lymph node from the groin. Why does the
physician add epinephrine to the local anaesthetic during the preparation?
a. Epinephrine prevents an anaphylactic reaction from occurring. b. The anaesthetic enhances the
effect of the epinephrine.
c. Epinephrine contributes to a balanced anaesthetic state.
d. Vasoconstrictive effects keep the anaesthetic at its local site of action.
ANS: D
Vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine are coadministered with local anaesthetics to keep the anaesthetic
at its local site of action and to prevent systemic absorption.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
, 3. During the postoperative recovery period, what should be the nurse’s immediate main concern?
a. Pupil responses
b. Return to sensation
c. Level of consciousness
d. Airway, breathing, and circulation
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. After piercing a finger with a fish hook during a fishing trip, a patient is now at an emergency
department to have the hook removed. What type of anaesthesia will be used for this procedure? a.
Topical benzocaine spray to the area
b. Spinal anaesthesia with mepivacaine hydrochloride c. Topical prilocaine cream (EMLA®) around the
site d. Infiltration of the area with tetracaine hydrochloride
ANS: D
Infiltration anaesthesia is commonly used for minor surgical procedures. It involves injecting the local
anaesthetic solution intradermally, subcutaneously, or submucosally across the path of nerves supplying
the area to be anaesthetized. The local anaesthetic may be administered in a circular pattern around the
operative field.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
2. A patient is to receive local anaesthesia for removal of a lymph node from the groin. Why does the
physician add epinephrine to the local anaesthetic during the preparation?
a. Epinephrine prevents an anaphylactic reaction from occurring. b. The anaesthetic enhances the
effect of the epinephrine.
c. Epinephrine contributes to a balanced anaesthetic state.
d. Vasoconstrictive effects keep the anaesthetic at its local site of action.
ANS: D
Vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine are coadministered with local anaesthetics to keep the anaesthetic
at its local site of action and to prevent systemic absorption.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
, 3. During the postoperative recovery period, what should be the nurse’s immediate main concern?
a. Pupil responses
b. Return to sensation
c. Level of consciousness
d. Airway, breathing, and circulation
