A 54-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ...

[Charlie]

A 54-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted for emergency surgery. What anesthetic agent would be dangerous to use on this patient?
 
  A) Enflurane
  B) Desflurane
  C) Sevoflurane
  D) Isoflurane

Question 2

A patient with Paget's disease calls the clinic and tells the nurse that she is experiencing flushing of the face and hands and a rash. The patient states that she is taking calcitonin, salmon (Calcimar) for her Paget's disease.
 
  What is the nurse's best response? A) We expected this to happen. Just ignore it and please do not worry about it.
  B) You will need to see the doctor immediately. Come in as soon as possible.
  C) This is a common adverse effect of your medication that will lessen with time.
  D) This is a serious adverse effect. Stop taking the drug and see the doctor today.

[cupcake16]

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Desflurane is associated with a collection of respiratory reactions, including cough, increased secretions, and laryngospasm. The other options have far fewer respiratory adverse effects and would be safer for use in this patient.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
The most common adverse effects seen with this drug include flushing of the face and hands, rash, nausea and vomiting, urinary frequency, and local inflammation at the site of injection. Many of these adverse effects lessen with time, the duration varying with each individual patient. Although it is an expected adverse effect, the nurse needs to provide more teaching instead of simply telling the patient to ignore it and to not worry. The patient does not need to be seen and this is not a serious adverse effect.

[Charlie]

TYSM

[elyse44]

Excellent