Question

A patient with poor cardiac function presents for surgery and requires a general anesthetic. The anesthesia provider prepares several medications. Which of the following is an anesthesia induction agent that is commonly used in this scenario?

A) Atropine
B) Etomidate
C) Norepinephrine
D) Propofol
E) None of the above

Answer 1

Etomidate is often used as an induction agent for general anesthesia in patients with poor cardiac function due to its minimal cardiovascular effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with poor cardiac function who requires general anesthesia for surgery might be given Etomidate as an induction agent. Etomidate is an injectable anesthetic known to have less of a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, making it a preferable choice for patients with compromised cardiac function. Other common induction agents include Propofol, barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines, but these may have more profound cardiovascular effects and are not always suitable for patients with poor cardiac function.