K2.ii · Pharmacology Related to the Nervous System

This viva will examine the electrocardiogram and local anaesthetic pharmacology. Label the components of the ECG trace and explain the x and y axis. (Image removed from report.)

This viva will test your knowledge of the pharmacology of neuromuscular blocking drugs, and local anaesthetics.

This viva will test your knowledge of the peripheral nervous system and the pharmacology of local anaesthetics. Regarding the relations of the femoral nerve in the femoral triangle, identify the structures A to H. (Image removed from report.)

This viva tested knowledge of buffer systems in the body and the renal handling of acid. It went on to discuss drug ionization, pKa and dissociation and then the pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents

This Viva tested knowledge on nerve action potentials and the pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents.

This Viva will test knowledge of spinal cord anatomy, local anaesthetics and analgesics Draw a cross-sectional figure of the spinal cord, at the level of C3, and describe the functional anatomy and blood supply of the spinal cord at that level. Candidates were asked to draw a cross-sectional figure of the spinal cord, at the level of C3, and tested on their ability to describe the functional anatomy and blood supply of the spinal cord at that level. Candidates were also asked about local anaesthetic drugs, their mechanism of action, pain (and asked to define pain) and non-opioid analgesics, in particularly ketamine and the pharmacology of ketamine.

Candidates were expected to provide a definition for pain, discuss the pathways involved in the transmission of pain signals, and list the common mediators. Additional questions related to sensitisation (peripheral and central) and the Gate Control theory (G2c). Candidates were also asked to compare the pharmacology of local anaesthetics with particular reference to lignocaine and bupivacaine (G2b). As with any question related to pharmacology, candidates were expected to discuss factors listed under “General Pharmacology” in the syllabus: “An understanding of the pharmacology of a drug implies an understanding of the relevant pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics (including dosage), and pharmacodynamics (including adverse effects and drug interactions).” Candidates were asked to list the different potential modes of administration of local anaesthetic agents (G2c). Candidates were also asked to describe the anatomy relevant to the insertion of a lumbar epidural catheter (G1:2j). Syllabus : G2c, G2b, G1:2j No candidates (0%) passed this question.