Anesthesia and Critical Care Reviews and Commentary (ACCRAC) Podcast Episode 221: Oral Board Prep with Anna Gitterman
Jan 31, 2022
Dr. Anna Gitterman, an anesthesia faculty member and oral board prep expert, breaks down strategies for mastering the oral board exam. They discuss the exam structure and critical case scenarios, including managing epidurals and intubations. Key insights include considerations for cardiac patients and approaches for diagnosing complications like air embolism. Anna shares invaluable test-taking tips such as the importance of thinking aloud and embracing uncertainty, making this a goldmine for residents preparing for their boards.
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Know The Exam Structure
- Practice the oral board structure so you know the flow: long STEM then short STEM with grab-bag questions.
- Prepare 10–15 minute pre-op notes and expect mostly intraoperative questioning.
Prioritize Cardiac Details In Pre-op Notes
- Focus your pre-op notes on cardiac risk and medication effects when the stem highlights cardiac history.
- Assume missing revascularization unless told otherwise and anticipate ACE inhibitor-related hypotension.
Confirm Epidural Safety Before Dosing
- Check coagulation and platelet status before placing neuraxial blocks and always perform a test dose.
- If test dose excludes intravascular or intrathecal placement, reassess level before dosing full bolus.