CPD modules: Medium
You are free to download, print and study the modules. Once you have completed your reading come back and take the multichoice test. If you obtain a pass mark of over 80% you will have the option of printing out a certificate of completion.
Vapourisers & Inhalational anaesthetics
Vapourisers are specially designed devices that deliver a very accurate concentration of anaesthetics. This module discusses them and how the process of vapourisation works.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Burn patients: the anaesthetic considerations of
This group of patients can be challenging with profound hypermetabolism, pain management issues, potential airway problems, etc. These are all covered in this module.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Blood Issues
Jehovah’s Witnesses are well known for their refusal of blood transfusions. But how much do you really know? What can or can’t they have, are epidural blood patches acceptable and what rights do parents have to refuse their children blood transfusions? This article discusses these issues as well as giving background on who are Jehovah’s Witnesses and what they believe in. It also covers the area of consent in both children and adults according to New Zealand law.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Tracheostomy fundamentals
Tracheostomies are becoming more common and the consequences of a misplaced tube can be serious so a good understanding of them is essential.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty: Medium
Changes in Pregnancy Relevant to Anaesthesia
Pregnancy causes major physiological changes to the mother’s body. An understanding of these changes is the key to safe obstetric anaesthesia. The causes of these changes are initially hormonal; metabolic and mechanical factors also contribute as the fetus develops.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade
This module covers all aspects of residual neuromuscular blockade, its causes, effects, how to determine its presence and its reversal. It also gives tips of effective nerve stimulator use.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
I.V. Induction Agents
I.V. induction agents are some of the most commonly used drugs in anaesthetics. This modules shows how and where they work. It then goes to review the most common I.V. induction agents and their effects on the body.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
Anaesthesia for the patient with a cardiac transplant
For patients who have previously received a cardiac transplant, coming to theatre for non-related surgery is no longer unusual as survival times continue to increase for transplant recipients. With altered physiology, and the effects of long term anti-rejection drugs use, their anaesthetic requirements are more complicated and it is essential to know what works and what doesn’t.
Length of Study 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Parkinson’s Disease & Anaesthesia
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system the causes of which are poorly inderstood. This article covers its management under anaesthetic, discusses which drugs are safe for use in this patient group and whether regional or GA anaesthetic are more appropriate.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Difficult and failed intubation in obstetrics
Obstetric general anaesthesia is associated with a number of deleterious effects and it has long been recognised that airway management can be challenging and tracheal intubation more likely to fail. This module covers whys, hows and what to do when it goes wrong.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
Physiological effects of transfer for critically ill patients
Critically ill patients can be exposed to significant physiological changes during transfer that can lead to significant instability with hypoxia, hypotension, arrhythmias and changes in intracranial pressure (ICP). This tutorial will explore the physiological effects that land and air transfer have on critically ill patients and describe how these adverse physiological sequelae can be avoided or reduced.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Medium
Enhanced Recovery From Surgery (ERAS)
Enhanced recovery is a modern evidence-based approach that helps people recover more quickly after having major surgery. Many hospitals – although not all – have enhanced recovery programmes in place, and it’s becoming standard practice following surgery for many procedures.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
The effects of anaesthesia on respiratory function.
This tutorial will explain how anaesthesia affects the respiratory system and how these effects can be managed.
Length of Study: 60 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Diabetes & Anaesthetic Management
This module covers the affect of diabetes on the surgical patient and why intraoperative blood glucose control and frequent measurement of blood glucose and serum potassium are key to safe practice.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
COPD and Anaesthesia
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a commonly encountered respiratory disorder. Patients with COPD pose a challenge to the anaesthetist because intraoperative and postoperative complications occur more commonly than in those without the disease, and can lead to prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. This module provides an overview of COPD and discusses implications for the anaesthetic management of patients with the disease.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty Medium
Spinal Anaesthesia
This module covers the relevant anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of safe and satisfactory spinal anaesthesia.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty: Medium
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt I
Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react then in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening situations that everyone engaged in giving paediatric anaesthetic should be aware of and be able to treat.This first article covers laryngospasm and suxamethonium apnoea.
Length of Study: 50 min
Difficulty: Medium
Muscle Relaxants: the fundamentals
The introduction of neuromuscular blocking drugs revolutionised the practice of anaesthesia. Before the advent of muscle relaxants, anaesthesia was induced and maintained by intravenous or inhalation agents.
This comprehensive module covers all aspects of neuromuscular muscle relaxants.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty: Medium
Management of Major Obstetric Haemorrhage
Major obstetric haemorrhage is a common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and the recognition of major obstetric haemorrhage can be challenging. This module discusses it causes, symptoms and importantly anaesthetic management of cases.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt 2
Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react the in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening situations that everyone engaged in giving paediatric anaesthetic should be aware of and be able to treat.This second article covers malignant hyperthermia and anaphylaxis.
Length of Study 50min
Difficulty: Medium
