PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers
100% Correct
What is local anaesthesia? - ✔-Local, reversible loss of sensation without loss of consciousness
What is general anaesthesia? - ✔-Administration of drugs that produce a loss of consciousness
Name a local anaesthetic cream and its common use - ✔-EMLA
Prevent pain or discomfort associated with venepuncture
In what circumstances would you anaesthetise an animal? - ✔-To provide immobility so the animal
does not displace catheters or move during imaging procedures.
To prevent pain during experimental procedures.
To prevent distress during physical restraint
Which of the three Rs are relevant to use of anaesthesia? - ✔-Reduction - minimise death due to poor
anaesthetic technique
Refinement - minimise pain
What affect does anaesthesia have on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? - ✔-It depresses
them
What effects can anaesthesia have which might disrupt particular research projects? - ✔-Alterations in
immune function, metastatic rates of tumours, changes in organ blood flow distribution, competition for
enzyme pathways, interaction with receptors and changes in gastrointestinal motility
Do mice need to fast before use of anaesthesia? - ✔-No as they cannot vomit
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
,PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
What is the triad of anaesthesia? - ✔-Loss of sensation
Loss of consciousness
Production of muscle relaxation
List the advantages of inhalational anaesthesia - ✔-They are simple to administer
Induction (onset) of anaesthesia is usually smooth and rapid.
It is easy to change the depth of anaesthesia
Recovery is usually rapid (within 10-15 minutes) and uneventful
List the disadvantages of inhalational anaesthesia - ✔-The equipment needed for their safe use is
relatively expensive
It is usually possible to anaesthetise only one animal at a time
Waste anaesthetic gases must be removed for health and safety reasons
List the advantages of injectable anaesthesia - ✔-Multiple animals can be anaesthetised at the same
time (provided you can monitor them effectively).
Injectable anaesthetics do not require the use of specialist equipment, but it is important to be able to
deliver oxygen as many of these agents cause respiratory depression.
List the disadvantages of injectable anaesthesia - ✔-Once the anaesthetic has been administered the
dose cannot be changed.
There is individual variability in the response to a given dose of anaesthetic.
Since the dose of anaesthetic needed by individual animals varies, the best way to give these agents is
by intravenous injection. This is the preferred route for administering injectable anaesthetics as it allows
the dose to be adjusted to match the particular animal's requirements. Unfortunately, it can be
technically difficult to use this route in small rodents, so most injectable anaesthetics are given by
intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection in these species.
What is ketamine combined with when used as an anaesthetic? - ✔-Medetomidine
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
,PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
What are the considerations when using intramuscular injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-It takes about 5-
10 minutes for anaesthesia to develop after intramuscular administration. Can cause pain on
administration in small rodents as the muscle mass is so small relative to the volume to be injected.
Some agents are irritant and can cause muscle damage ( e.g. Ketamine ).
What are the considerations when using intravenous injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-Ideal as the dose
can be adjusted to be appropriate for the individual animal, and to produce the depth of anaesthesia
required. Unfortunately intravenous injection is technically demanding in small rodents.
What are the considerations when using intraperitoneal injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-This is one of the
most widely used means of giving injectable anaesthetics to rodents, but in 5-10% of cases not all of the
injected anaesthetic is delivered intraperitoneally. If a large proportion is delivered into the fat or
intestines, then an inadequate anaesthetic effect will be produced. Not all anaesthetics are suitable for
administration by this route
What are the considerations when using subcutaneous injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-It takes 5 - 15
minutes for anaesthesia to develop after subcutaneous administration. It may be less stressful and
produce more consistent results than use of the intramuscular or intraperitoneal routes. Not all
anaesthetics are suitable for administration by this route.
How long does it typically take for animals to recover from injectable anaesthesia? - ✔-60-180mins
(20-30mins if using certain anaesthetics intravenously)
What is the advantage of using isoflurane? - ✔-it undergoes almost no bio-transformation and is
almost completely eliminated in exhaled air. This suggests that there will be little effect on liver
microsomal enzymes and, hence, minimal interference in drug metabolism or toxicology studies
What is the advantage of using sevoflurane? - ✔-the even greater ease of matching the depth of
anaesthesia to the degree of surgical stimulation, coupled with very rapid and smooth recovery
At what point can the animal be removed from the anaesthetic chamber? - ✔-When it has lost its
righting reflex
What is the most commonly used withdrawal reflex in mice? - ✔-The pedal withdrawal reflex
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
, PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
How can respiration be monitored during a procedure? - ✔-Observing the movements of the chest can
be used to monitor the pattern and depth of respiration, although this becomes difficult if surgical
drapes have been placed. This problem can be overcome by using electronic monitors, for example, a
respiratory monitor to detect each breath, or a pulse oximeter to measure the adequacy of oxygenation.
What needs to be done in relation to the eyes when animals are under anaesthesia? - ✔-Anaesthetised
animals lose their protective blink reflexes, and their eyes should be protected both from physical
damage and from drying.
An ophthalmic ointment can be placed in the eyes, or the lids can be taped closed with micropore tape
during longer ( >15 mins ) periods of anaesthesia and whenever you are using injectable anaesthetics, as
recovery will last for at least 30-60 minutes.
Why is it difficult to monitor the heart rate in rodents under anaesthesia? - ✔-The heart rate is rapid
What records should be kept by anaesthetists? - ✔-details of the entire procedure, including the drugs
given, the dose rates used, and any monitoring or supportive procedures (e.g. use of a warming pad).
They should also keep a careful record of any complications or abnormal responses for each individual
animal.
What is considered severe respiratory depression? - ✔-<40% of estimated resting rate
How can respiratory depression be treated? - ✔-Administer oxygen and manually compressing the
thorax
How can the risk of hypothermia be minimised during a procedure? - ✔-Use a heating pad
Why is a vaporiser needed? - ✔-Modern anaesthetic agents are very potent, so it is easy to
inadvertently overdose an animal. To avoid this, and also to ensure that onset (induction) of anaesthesia
is smooth and that an appropriate depth of anaesthesia is produced, an anaesthetic vaporiser should be
used.
How can anaesthetic be maintained through a procedure? - ✔-By placing the animal on a face mask
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers
100% Correct
What is local anaesthesia? - ✔-Local, reversible loss of sensation without loss of consciousness
What is general anaesthesia? - ✔-Administration of drugs that produce a loss of consciousness
Name a local anaesthetic cream and its common use - ✔-EMLA
Prevent pain or discomfort associated with venepuncture
In what circumstances would you anaesthetise an animal? - ✔-To provide immobility so the animal
does not displace catheters or move during imaging procedures.
To prevent pain during experimental procedures.
To prevent distress during physical restraint
Which of the three Rs are relevant to use of anaesthesia? - ✔-Reduction - minimise death due to poor
anaesthetic technique
Refinement - minimise pain
What affect does anaesthesia have on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? - ✔-It depresses
them
What effects can anaesthesia have which might disrupt particular research projects? - ✔-Alterations in
immune function, metastatic rates of tumours, changes in organ blood flow distribution, competition for
enzyme pathways, interaction with receptors and changes in gastrointestinal motility
Do mice need to fast before use of anaesthesia? - ✔-No as they cannot vomit
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
,PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
What is the triad of anaesthesia? - ✔-Loss of sensation
Loss of consciousness
Production of muscle relaxation
List the advantages of inhalational anaesthesia - ✔-They are simple to administer
Induction (onset) of anaesthesia is usually smooth and rapid.
It is easy to change the depth of anaesthesia
Recovery is usually rapid (within 10-15 minutes) and uneventful
List the disadvantages of inhalational anaesthesia - ✔-The equipment needed for their safe use is
relatively expensive
It is usually possible to anaesthetise only one animal at a time
Waste anaesthetic gases must be removed for health and safety reasons
List the advantages of injectable anaesthesia - ✔-Multiple animals can be anaesthetised at the same
time (provided you can monitor them effectively).
Injectable anaesthetics do not require the use of specialist equipment, but it is important to be able to
deliver oxygen as many of these agents cause respiratory depression.
List the disadvantages of injectable anaesthesia - ✔-Once the anaesthetic has been administered the
dose cannot be changed.
There is individual variability in the response to a given dose of anaesthetic.
Since the dose of anaesthetic needed by individual animals varies, the best way to give these agents is
by intravenous injection. This is the preferred route for administering injectable anaesthetics as it allows
the dose to be adjusted to match the particular animal's requirements. Unfortunately, it can be
technically difficult to use this route in small rodents, so most injectable anaesthetics are given by
intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection in these species.
What is ketamine combined with when used as an anaesthetic? - ✔-Medetomidine
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
,PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
What are the considerations when using intramuscular injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-It takes about 5-
10 minutes for anaesthesia to develop after intramuscular administration. Can cause pain on
administration in small rodents as the muscle mass is so small relative to the volume to be injected.
Some agents are irritant and can cause muscle damage ( e.g. Ketamine ).
What are the considerations when using intravenous injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-Ideal as the dose
can be adjusted to be appropriate for the individual animal, and to produce the depth of anaesthesia
required. Unfortunately intravenous injection is technically demanding in small rodents.
What are the considerations when using intraperitoneal injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-This is one of the
most widely used means of giving injectable anaesthetics to rodents, but in 5-10% of cases not all of the
injected anaesthetic is delivered intraperitoneally. If a large proportion is delivered into the fat or
intestines, then an inadequate anaesthetic effect will be produced. Not all anaesthetics are suitable for
administration by this route
What are the considerations when using subcutaneous injection of anaesthesia? - ✔-It takes 5 - 15
minutes for anaesthesia to develop after subcutaneous administration. It may be less stressful and
produce more consistent results than use of the intramuscular or intraperitoneal routes. Not all
anaesthetics are suitable for administration by this route.
How long does it typically take for animals to recover from injectable anaesthesia? - ✔-60-180mins
(20-30mins if using certain anaesthetics intravenously)
What is the advantage of using isoflurane? - ✔-it undergoes almost no bio-transformation and is
almost completely eliminated in exhaled air. This suggests that there will be little effect on liver
microsomal enzymes and, hence, minimal interference in drug metabolism or toxicology studies
What is the advantage of using sevoflurane? - ✔-the even greater ease of matching the depth of
anaesthesia to the degree of surgical stimulation, coupled with very rapid and smooth recovery
At what point can the animal be removed from the anaesthetic chamber? - ✔-When it has lost its
righting reflex
What is the most commonly used withdrawal reflex in mice? - ✔-The pedal withdrawal reflex
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
, PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
How can respiration be monitored during a procedure? - ✔-Observing the movements of the chest can
be used to monitor the pattern and depth of respiration, although this becomes difficult if surgical
drapes have been placed. This problem can be overcome by using electronic monitors, for example, a
respiratory monitor to detect each breath, or a pulse oximeter to measure the adequacy of oxygenation.
What needs to be done in relation to the eyes when animals are under anaesthesia? - ✔-Anaesthetised
animals lose their protective blink reflexes, and their eyes should be protected both from physical
damage and from drying.
An ophthalmic ointment can be placed in the eyes, or the lids can be taped closed with micropore tape
during longer ( >15 mins ) periods of anaesthesia and whenever you are using injectable anaesthetics, as
recovery will last for at least 30-60 minutes.
Why is it difficult to monitor the heart rate in rodents under anaesthesia? - ✔-The heart rate is rapid
What records should be kept by anaesthetists? - ✔-details of the entire procedure, including the drugs
given, the dose rates used, and any monitoring or supportive procedures (e.g. use of a warming pad).
They should also keep a careful record of any complications or abnormal responses for each individual
animal.
What is considered severe respiratory depression? - ✔-<40% of estimated resting rate
How can respiratory depression be treated? - ✔-Administer oxygen and manually compressing the
thorax
How can the risk of hypothermia be minimised during a procedure? - ✔-Use a heating pad
Why is a vaporiser needed? - ✔-Modern anaesthetic agents are very potent, so it is easy to
inadvertently overdose an animal. To avoid this, and also to ensure that onset (induction) of anaesthesia
is smooth and that an appropriate depth of anaesthesia is produced, an anaesthetic vaporiser should be
used.
How can anaesthetic be maintained through a procedure? - ✔-By placing the animal on a face mask
PIL AB Exam Questions & Answers 100% Correct
