Regional Anesthesia In A Covid Pandemic

1. Avoid neuraxial anesthesia in covid patients who have thrombocytopenia

True

False

Same contraindication with neuraxial anesrhesia applies for both covid and non-covid patients

Explanation

Same contraindication with neuraxial anesrhesia applies for both covid and non-covid patients

2. All cases maybe presumed covid positive if there is widespread community transmission

True

False

Once there is significant and widespread community transmission, all cases must be presumed covid positive

Explanation

Once there is significant and widespread community transmission, all cases must be presumed covid positive

3. The dose of local anesthetic must be lesser than the usual

True

False

No dose adjustment is needed because reducing the dose may lead to GA convertion

Explanation

No dose adjustment is needed because reducing the dose may lead to GA convertion

4. It is better to start with general anesthesia if the duration of surgery is long and complex

True

False

Unplanned convertion to GA is undesirable so better start with GA if the probability is high

Explanation

Unplanned convertion to GA is undesirable so better start with GA if the probability is high

5. The transmission of respiratory infection is 6x lesser during non-tracheal intubation vs tracheal intubation

True

False

Exposure to intubation is 6.6x greater in transmitting acute respiratory infection compared to non-tracheal intubation

Explanation

Exposure to intubation is 6.6x greater in transmitting acute respiratory infection compared to non-tracheal intubation

6. Use of nasal cannula is preferred over O2 mask in covid patients

True

False

O2 mask is preferred and should be kept to minimum to maintain O2 saturation

Explanation

O2 mask is preferred and should be kept to minimum to maintain O2 saturation

7. Anesthesia cart and chart should be placed outside the operating room

True

False

This is to avoid exposure to the virus

Explanation

This is to avoid exposure to the virus

8. NSAIDs can be given as pain reliever in patients with Covid who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms

True

False

Still with no robust study yet that NSAIDs are contraindicated in covid patients. It can be use postop for mild and asymptomatic patients since opioids poses more clinical risk

Explanation

Still with no robust study yet that NSAIDs are contraindicated in covid patients. It can be use postop for mild and asymptomatic patients since opioids poses more clinical risk

9. The CSF should be allowed to drip freely to determine the correct neuraxial placement

True

False

The virus are isolated in the CSF of patients with covid encephalitis

Explanation

The virus are isolated in the CSF of patients with covid encephalitis

10. It is best to give prophylactic vasopressors in covid patients during neuraxial anesthesia

True

False

Yes, to prevent hypotension and eventual airway manipulation in case of high spinal

Explanation

Yes, to prevent hypotension and eventual airway manipulation in case of high spinal

11. No dose adjustment is needed for both sedatives and opioids in covid patients

True

False

No dose adjustment for adjuvant opioids but sedatives must be reduced because deep sedation may increase the need for oxygenation and possible airway manipulation and intervention

Explanation

No dose adjustment for adjuvant opioids but sedatives must be reduced because deep sedation may increase the need for oxygenation and possible airway manipulation and intervention

12. The most experienced anesthesiologist should perform the regional anesthesia technique in both covid and non-covid patients

True

False

In covid positive and PUI cases only. If possible avoid new trainees in direct care of covid patients

Explanation

In covid positive and PUI cases only. If possible avoid new trainees in direct care of covid patients