General Basics

Question 1

benefits of regional anesthesia

Answer 1

may lead to reductions in:

• stress response
• systemic analgesic requirements
• opioid side effects
• general anesthesia

Question 2

Risks/Contraindications

Answer 2

1. Patient refusal
2. Patient inability to sit still
3. Anticoagulation/bleeding risks
   
   • non-compressible sites
4. Neuropathy

Question 3

Field Block technique

Answer 3

local targets the terminal cutaneous nerves

- incisional pain

Question 4

Paresthesia technique

Answer 4

• block needle placed close to nerve –> direct contact causes paresthesia in nerve distribution

Question 5

Nerve Stimulation technique

Answer 5

insulated needle concentrates electrical current at tip –> close to nerve, muscle contracts

• 0.3-0.5 mA is ideal stim range
• short duration stimulus = needle must be CLOSE
  
  • <0.2mA –> intraneural

Question 6

Ultrasound technique

Answer 6

high frequency waves emitted from transducer –> pizoelectric crystal that travels different rates

• hypoechoic = sound easily passes through (black)
• hyperechoic = sound reflects off (white)

Question 7

U/S transducer frequency

Answer 7

High frequency = high resolution, low penetration

Low frequency = low resolution, high penetration