The Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Anaesthesia

Practice papers for teachers and trainees

Mendonca, Cyprian, Balasubramanian, Shyam

• Publisher: tfm Publishing Ltd
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN: 9781903378564
• eBook ISBN: 9781908986184
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Medical Theory, Practice & Reference

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a highly reliable and valid tool for the evaluation of trainees in anaesthesia. It enables examiners and trainers to assess a number of competencies in an organised way. Performance in the OSCE is considered to be a fair reflection of the level of knowledge and skill attained during anaesthesia training. Apart from having a wide and deep knowledge on the subject, trainees are expected to have the capacity to demonstrate their competency in a short period of time allotted for each station. The authors of this book have a rich experience in successfully conducting OSCE courses in the United Kingdom. The sample OSCE sets in the book closely simulate the style and content of the Royal College of Anaesthetists' examination format. The book contains 100 OSCE stations with answers based on key practical procedures, clinical skills, communication skills, data interpretation, anaesthetic equipment and the management of critical incidents on a simulator. This book will also help candidates all over the world to pass highly competitive postgraduate examinations in anaesthesia. It is an invaluable educational resource for all anaesthetists.

OSCE

set 1

Station 1.1 Anaesthetic equipment: circle absorber

Information for the candidate

In this station you will be asked to check a breathing system as you routinely do before starting a list.

Figure 1.1a Anaesthetic machine with circle absorber system.

Examiner’s mark sheet

Can you please check the breathing system on this anaesthetic machine?
		marks
♦	Ensures that soda lime is present and is not used up (check colour).	1
♦	Visually inspects the system.	1
♦	Identifies the blocked filter.	2
♦	Appropriately performs the leak test.	2
♦	Identifies that it is leaking at the water drain.	2
♦	Checks function of the one-way valves by connecting bags at both ends.	2
What are the benefits in using this system?		4
♦	Economy: fresh gas flow (FGF) can be reduced to less than a litre per minute and consumption of volatile agents is reduced.
♦	Humidification: inspired gas will be saturated with water vapour from the expired gas.
♦	Reduced heat loss: in addition to conservation of heat, the exothermic reaction of CO2 absorption assists in maintaining body temperature.
♦	Reduced atmospheric pollution: by using low FGF, escape of volatile anaesthetic agents into the atmosphere is minimised.
What happens if the unidirectional valve malfunctions?		1
Malfunction of the unidirectional valve leads to mixing of inspired gas with expired gas containing CO2 and results in hypercapnIa.
What is the mesh size of the granules?		1
4-8 mesh or 3-4mm spheres.
What do you understand by 4-8 mesh?		1
Strainers with 4 mesh have four equal strands per linear inch in both vertical and horizontal axes. Similarly, strainers with 8 mesh have 8 equal strands per linear inch in both vertical and horizontal axes. Granules of 4-8 mesh size pass through the strainers with 4-8 mesh.
What are the constituents of soda lime?		1
NaOH, Ca(OH)2, KOH, water and silica.
Name some contaminants that can be produced in this system		2
Compound A and B are produced with sevoflurane. Desflurane, isofurane and enflurane react with dry soda lime to produce carbon monoxide. Methane and acetone are other compounds that may be produced.

Total: /20

Information for the exami...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• OSCE set 1
• OSCE set 2
• OSCE set 3
• OSCE set 4
• OSCE set 5