OB Crisis General Anesthesia Quiz: Are You a Bicitrate Pro?
Think you can ace obstetric anesthesia crisis and C-section protocols? Take the test now!
Use this quiz to practice bicitrate use in obstetric anesthesia - timing, dose, and how it reduces aspiration risk before C‑section or during a general anesthesia crisis. Answer case‑based items and get a score so you can spot gaps fast and feel ready for your next call or exam.
Study Outcomes
- Understand bicitrate's pharmacologic properties -
Gain insight into how bicitrate reduces aspiration risk and its timing within obstetric anesthesia protocols.
- Apply evidence-based bicitrate dosing -
Implement accurate bicitrate premedication guidelines for both emergency and elective C-section anesthesia protocols.
- Analyze airway management and oxygenation strategies -
Examine critical ventilation techniques during general anesthesia obstetric crisis scenarios to enhance safety.
- Evaluate cesarean delivery anesthesia workflows -
Assess protocol steps to streamline decision-making and improve maternal-fetal outcomes under pressure.
- Implement structured crisis response steps -
Adopt systematic approaches to manage obstetric anesthesia emergencies and optimize patient outcomes.
- Identify bicitrate-related complications -
Recognize potential adverse effects of bicitrate use and integrate mitigation strategies into cesarean delivery anesthesia planning.
Cheat Sheet
- Mechanism of Action of Bicitrate -
Bicitrate combines sodium citrate and citric acid to neutralize gastric acid, raising pH above 3.5 and reducing aspiration pneumonitis risk in obstetric anesthesia (ASA Guidelines, 2017). The buffering reaction follows: H+ + Citr3− → HCit2−, which you can recall with the mnemonic "Citr - Acid Shield."
- Recommended Dosing and Timing -
The standard obstetric anesthesia protocol administers 30 mL of 0.3 M bicitrate orally 15 - 30 minutes before induction to ensure peak pH effect at laryngoscopy (Obstetric Anesthesia Textbook, 2020). Practice recalling "30 by 30" (30 mL in 30 min) to lock in the correct dosing window.
- Integration with Fasting Guidelines -
Current ASA fasting guidelines allow clear fluids until 2 hours pre-op, with bicitrate as the last oral intake; this "last sip" strategy bridges the gap for cesarean delivery anesthesia safety. Remember: solids 6 - 8 hrs, clear fluids 2 hrs, bicitrate just before you walk in.
- Role in Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) -
During a general anesthesia obstetric crisis, bicitrate primes the stomach while you prepare RSI with cricoid pressure, rapid-onset opioids, and succinylcholine (Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 2019). Use the "SOAP-ME" mnemonic (Suction, Oxygen, Airway, Pressure, Meds, Equipment) to streamline your crisis protocol.
- Monitoring and Safety Considerations -
While bicitrate is generally safe, watch for electrolyte shifts - especially hypernatremia - and maintain capnography and SpO₂ monitoring throughout C-section anesthesia protocols. Reviewing arterial blood gas values post-induction can confirm effective buffering and guide further management.