TEST BANK
Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and
Nurses
John Thomas, and Phillip Lerche
6th Edition
,Table of Contents
Chapter 01 Introduction to Anesthesia 1
Chapter 02 Patient Preparation 6
Chapter 03 Anesthetic Agents and Adjuncts 21
Chapter 04 Anesthetic Equipment 36
Chapter 05 Workplace Safety 44
Chapter 06 Anesthetic Monitoring 50
Chapter 07 Special Techniques 69
Chapter 08 Analgesia 79
Chapter 09 Canine and Feline Anesthesia 91
Chapter 10 Equine Anesthesia 104
Chapter 11 Ruminant and Swine Anesthesia 112
Chapter 12 Rodent and Rabbit Anesthesia 120
Chapter 13 Anesthetic Problems and Emergencies 128
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
Chapter 01: Introduction to Anesthesia
Thomas & Lerche: Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians, 6th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When were anesthetic techniques refined to the point of the practical and widespread use
of agents?
a. In the early part of the fifteenth century BC
b. Between the 1500s and the 1700s
c. Mid-1800s
d. Early 1900s
ANS: C
Anesthetic techniques were refined to the point of the use being practical and widespread
in the mid-1800s. Accounts of the use of plant extracts such as belladonna alkaloids and
opiates for pain control were reported as early as the fifteenth century BC. Inhaled
chemical agents were experimented with between the 1500s and the 1700s. In the early
1900s, veterinarians began using injectable anesthetic agents.
2. The first anesthetic agent used successfully in a tumor removal surgery as a means of
creating a state of insensibility and pain relief was:
a. chloroform.
b. diethyl ether.
c. nitrous oxide.
d. halothane.
ANS: B
The first anesthetic agent to successfully be used in a surgical procedure was diethyl oxide.
Chloroform and nitrous oxide had been experimented with but were not the first used in
this manner. Halothane was introduced in the 1950s.
3. The use of injectable anesthetics as an alternative to inhalant agents in veterinary medicine
began in the:
a. 1930s.
b. 1950s.
c. 1960s.
d. 1980s.
ANS: A
Injectable anesthetic agents were developed in the 1930s. Inhalant agents such as
halothane and methoxyflurane were introduced in the 1950s. Injectable tranquilizers such
as acepromazine and xylazine began in the 1960s. Inhalant anesthetics such as isoflurane
and injectable propofol were developed in the 1980s.
4. Which organization was recognized in 1999 by the National Association of Veterinary
Technicians in America that offers specialization to credentialed technicians with an
interest in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia?
a. Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists
b. American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
c. Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists
d. International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management
ANS: A
The organization that offers specialization in anesthesia and analgesia is the AVTA. The
ACVAA is the organization that offers specialization to veterinarians. The AVA and
IVAPM do not offer specialization to technicians in anesthesia.
5. Who is credited with suggesting the term anesthesia to describe the state of insensibility to
painful stimuli?
a. William T. G. Morton
b. Thomas Locke
c. Oliver Wendell Holmes
d. Harold Davis
ANS: C
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes suggested the adoption of the term anesthesia to describe the
state of insensibility to pain. Dr. Morton was the first person to demonstrate the effects of
diethyl ether in Boston in 1846. Thomas Locke is an author of this textbook. Harold Davis
is one of the founding members of the AVTA and VTSs for all specialities.
6. Which term literally means without feeling and is defined as a loss of sensation?
a. Analgesia
b. Epidural
c. Hypnosis
d. Anesthesia
ANS: D
Anesthesia is the term to describe loss of sensation. Analgesia is the loss of sensitivity to
pain. An epidural is used to provide pain control to the rear quarters of the animal.
Hypnosis is a drug-induced sleeplike state that impairs the ability of the patient to respond
appropriately to stimuli.
7. Which state of anesthesia is defined as a reversible state of unconsciousness, immobility,
muscle relaxation, and loss of sensation throughout the entire body produced by the
administration of one or more anesthetic agents?
a. Regional nerve block
b. Epidural
c. Hypnosis
d. General anesthesia
ANS: D
General anesthesia is the term to describe loss of sensation, unconsciousness, immobility,
and muscle relaxation. Regional nerve blocks cause the loss of sensitivity to pain in
specific regions of the body. An epidural is used to provide pain control to the rear
quarters of the animal. Hypnosis is a drug-induced sleeplike state that impairs the ability of
the patient to respond appropriately to stimuli.
8. A stage of anesthesia that has a sufficient loss of sensitivity to pain and muscle relaxation
to allow for the performance of surgery without the pain or movement is:
a. analgesia.
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
b. narcosis.
c. surgical anesthesia.
d. local anesthesia.
ANS: C
A surgical level of anesthesia is required to have sufficient loss of sensitivity to pain and
muscle relaxation to allow for the performance of surgery without pain or movement.
Analgesia is the loss of sensitivity to pain but does not allow for muscle relaxation.
Narcosis refers to a drug-induced sleep from which the patient is not easily roused. Local
anesthesia allows for loss of sensation in a small region of the body.
9. A state in which a patient is aware or unaware of the surroundings but can be easily
aroused by a noxious stimulant is referred to as:
a. hypnosis.
b. sedation.
c. narcosis.
d. tranquilization.
ANS: B
Sedation refers to a state in which a patient can be aware or unaware of its surroundings
but can be easily aroused by stimulation. Hypnosis is a drug-induced sleeplike state that
impairs the ability of the patient to respond appropriately to stimuli. Narcosis is a
drug-induced sleep from which the patient cannot be easily aroused. Tranquilization is a
drug-induced state of calm in which the animal is reluctant to move and is aware of but not
concerned about its surroundings.
10. Which of the following is a drug-induced sleep from which it can be very difficult to rouse
the patient?
a. Hypnosis
b. Sedation
c. Narcosis
d. Tranquilization
ANS: C
Narcosis is a drug-induced sleep from which the patient cannot be easily aroused.
Hypnosis is a drug-induced sleeplike state that impairs the ability of the patient to respond
appropriately to stimuli. Sedation refers to a patient that can be aware or unaware of its
surroundings but can be easily aroused by stimulation. Tranquilization is a drug-induced
state of calm in which the animal is reluctant to move and is aware of but not concerned
about its surroundings.
11. The application of an anesthetic directly to the body surface to create a localized loss of
sensation is referred to as:
a. topical anesthesia.
b. regional anesthesia.
c. epidural anesthesia.
d. balanced anesthesia.
ANS: A
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
Topical anesthesia is created by the application of an anesthetic agent directly to the
surface of the body. Regional anesthesia is produced by the administration of an anesthetic
agent in the proximity to sensory nerves. Epidural anesthesia is an anesthetic administered
into the spinal column to provide pain control to the rear quarters and pelvic region.
Balanced anesthesia is use of multiple drugs concurrently in small quantities to maximize
the benefits of each drug.
12. The use of a premedication such as acepromazine along with anesthesia induction with
propofol, maintenance of isoflurane, and bupivacaine placed near the sensory nerves
would be an example of:
a. topical anesthesia.
b. regional anesthesia.
c. epidural anesthesia.
d. balanced anesthesia.
ANS: D
Balanced anesthesia is use of multiple drugs concurrently in small quantities to maximize
the benefits of each drug. Topical anesthesia is created by the application of an anesthetic
agent directly to the surface of the body. Regional anesthesia is produced by the
administration of an anesthetic agent in proximity to sensory nerves. Epidural anesthesia is
an anesthetic administered into the spinal column to provide pain control to the rear
quarters and pelvic region.
13. Which of the following is not a role of the credentialed veterinary technician in regard to
the practice of anesthesia?
a. Preparation, operation, and maintenance of the anesthetic equipment
b. Deciding which drugs will be used for the anesthesia event
c. Administering the anesthetic agents
d. Patient monitoring during the procedure
ANS: B
The credentialed veterinary technician is responsible for the preparation, operation, and
maintenance of anesthetic equipment; administering the anesthetic agents; and patient
monitoring during an anesthetic event. A credentialed veterinary technician is not allowed
to prescribe medications; the decisions of the drugs to be used will be up to the
veterinarian.
14. The term hypnosis refers to:
a. the loss of sensitivity to pain.
b. a drug-induced sleep from which the patient cannot be easily aroused.
c. a drug-induced sleeplike state that impairs the ability of the patient to respond
appropriately to stimuli.
d. a drug-induced state of calm in which the animal is reluctant to move and is aware
of but not concerned about its surroundings.
ANS: C
Hypnosis is a drug-induced sleeplike state that impairs the ability of the patient to respond
appropriately to stimuli. The loss of sensitivity to pain is analgesia. A drug-induced sleep
from which the patient cannot be easily aroused is narcosis. Tranquilization is a
drug-induced state of calm in which the animal is reluctant to move and is aware of but not
concerned about its surroundings.
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
15. Which of the following statements is true about anesthesia?
a. Most anesthetic agents have a very wide therapeutic index allowing for minor
errors in dosage calculations.
b. Only a few anesthetic agents have an effect on the cardiovascular system.
c. The anesthetist must approach any anesthetic procedure with a genuine willingness
to take personal responsibility for the well-being of the patient.
d. It is not necessary to constantly monitor vital signs in anesthetic patients.
ANS: C
The anesthetist must approach any anesthetic procedure with a genuine willingness to take
personal responsibility for the well-being of the patient. Most anesthetic agents have a
very narrow therapeutic index allowing even minor errors in dosage calculations to cause
concerns. Most anesthetic agents have an effect on the cardiovascular system. It is
necessary to constantly monitor vital signs in anesthetic patients as changes can happen
quickly.
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Test Bank - Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, 6th Edition (Thomas, 2024)
Chapter 02: Patient Preparation
Thomas & Lerche: Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians, 6th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following steps is not considered important in the patient preparation for a
successful anesthetic procedure?
a. Developing a minimum patient database
b. Determining if the patient has been appropriately fasted
c. Assuming all necessary equipment and supplies are ready and in working order
d. Administering the preanesthetic medications ordered by the veterinarian
ANS: C
One should never assume all equipment and supplies are ready but instead confirm by
physically checking the equipment and supplies prior to the procedure. A credentialed
veterinary technician should develop a patient database for each patient; determine if they
have been properly fasted; administer the ordered preanesthetic medications; and monitor
the patient until the time of induction.
2. One of the key elements to a successful anesthetic procedure is:
a. a competent veterinarian.
b. a skilled credentialed veterinary technician.
c. the bond between the client and the pet.
d. communication between the veterinarian, the veterinary technician, and the client.
ANS: D
Communication between the veterinarian, the veterinary technician, and the client is the
key to the success of the anesthetic event. A competent veterinarian and a skilled
credentialed veterinary technician are important but they need to work as a team and
communication is vital. The bond between the owner and pet is very strong, and the owner
is often extremely concerned about the risks to the pet’s safety.
3. The minimum database consists of the following:
a. patient history and signalment, patient’s name, complete physical examination
findings, and the results of the preanesthetic diagnostic workups.
b. patient history and signalment, owner’s income, and complete physical
examination findings.
c. patient history and signalment, complete physical examination findings, and results
of the preanesthetic diagnostic workups.
d. patient name, gender, and complete physical examination findings.
ANS: C
The minimum patient database consists of the patient history and signalment, complete
physical examination findings, and the results of the preanesthetic diagnostic workups.
The patient name and gender are part of the patient’s history. Owner’s income is not a
necessary piece of information.
4. Which of the following is not a reason to schedule a preanesthetic appointment prior to a
surgical event?
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