INTRO TO SX LECT 20 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Why is pre-operative patient assessment essential?
It identifies risk, guides diagnostics, establishes baseline, and improves surgical safety
What are the core components of pre-op assessment?
History, physical exam, lab data, underlying disease, stabilization
What information is included in patient signalment?
Species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status
Why is the presenting complaint important?
It establishes the framework for diagnostics and decision-making
What questions should be asked about the presenting complaint?
Onset, initial appearance, progression, response to treatment
What additional history should always be obtained pre-op?
Diet, environment, prior disease, medications, infection signs
Which medications are especially important to ask about?
NSAIDs, antimicrobials, nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic drugs
Why should yes/no history questions be avoided?
They miss critical details
What systems should be reviewed in a pre-op ROS?
GI signs, appetite, toxins, coughing, exercise tolerance, seizures
Why is a full physical exam critical pre-operatively?
It predicts peri-operative complications
What factor best predicts anesthetic complications?
Pre-anesthetic physical status
What lab work is appropriate for young healthy elective patients?
PCV, total protein, glucose, BUN
What lab work is recommended for older or systemically ill patients?
CBC, chemistry panel, urinalysis
, Why must lab values be age-appropriate?
Puppy/kitten values differ from adults
How do underlying diseases affect surgery?
They impact management, prognosis, and post-op care
What diagnostics are needed for suspected neoplasia?
Thoracic imaging, abdominal ultrasound, lymph node aspirates
What imaging is indicated in trauma patients?
Thoracic imaging for hernia, pneumothorax, contusions
What does the ASA Physical Status Scale assess?
Patient health prior to anesthesia
What does ASA I describe?
Normal healthy patient
What does ASA II describe?
Mild or localized disease
What does ASA III describe?
Severe systemic disease
What does ASA IV describe?
Severe life-threatening disease
What does ASA V describe?
Moribund patient unlikely to survive without surgery
What does the "E" designation indicate?
Emergency surgery
How is surgical risk determined?
By weighing risk versus benefit
When may surgery not be justified?
Severe organ failure, metastasis, poor quality of life
What are the five surgical prognosis categories?
Excellent, good, fair, poor, guarded
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Why is pre-operative patient assessment essential?
It identifies risk, guides diagnostics, establishes baseline, and improves surgical safety
What are the core components of pre-op assessment?
History, physical exam, lab data, underlying disease, stabilization
What information is included in patient signalment?
Species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status
Why is the presenting complaint important?
It establishes the framework for diagnostics and decision-making
What questions should be asked about the presenting complaint?
Onset, initial appearance, progression, response to treatment
What additional history should always be obtained pre-op?
Diet, environment, prior disease, medications, infection signs
Which medications are especially important to ask about?
NSAIDs, antimicrobials, nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic drugs
Why should yes/no history questions be avoided?
They miss critical details
What systems should be reviewed in a pre-op ROS?
GI signs, appetite, toxins, coughing, exercise tolerance, seizures
Why is a full physical exam critical pre-operatively?
It predicts peri-operative complications
What factor best predicts anesthetic complications?
Pre-anesthetic physical status
What lab work is appropriate for young healthy elective patients?
PCV, total protein, glucose, BUN
What lab work is recommended for older or systemically ill patients?
CBC, chemistry panel, urinalysis
, Why must lab values be age-appropriate?
Puppy/kitten values differ from adults
How do underlying diseases affect surgery?
They impact management, prognosis, and post-op care
What diagnostics are needed for suspected neoplasia?
Thoracic imaging, abdominal ultrasound, lymph node aspirates
What imaging is indicated in trauma patients?
Thoracic imaging for hernia, pneumothorax, contusions
What does the ASA Physical Status Scale assess?
Patient health prior to anesthesia
What does ASA I describe?
Normal healthy patient
What does ASA II describe?
Mild or localized disease
What does ASA III describe?
Severe systemic disease
What does ASA IV describe?
Severe life-threatening disease
What does ASA V describe?
Moribund patient unlikely to survive without surgery
What does the "E" designation indicate?
Emergency surgery
How is surgical risk determined?
By weighing risk versus benefit
When may surgery not be justified?
Severe organ failure, metastasis, poor quality of life
What are the five surgical prognosis categories?
Excellent, good, fair, poor, guarded
