Preface

To earn board certification in anesthesiology, resident physicians must pass three examinations. This staged approach was designed to promote more sustained learning over the course of residency and beyond. The American Board of Anesthesiology’s BASIC Examination is the first of two written examinations. Anesthesiology residents who are unable to pass the BASIC examination will not be allowed to finish their training.

The ABA BASIC examination is a 4-hour computerized assessment that is taken at the end of the second post-graduate year. It consists of 200 A-type multiple-choice questions typically in the form of a short clinical scenario. Topics on the BASIC examination include those expected from curricular objectives during the clinical base year and first clinical anesthesia year: pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, anesthesia equipment, and monitoring. The general focus is on the scientific basis of the practice of anesthesiology.

Understandably, a high-stakes examination in the middle of residency training will create much stress and anxiety. This is where Anesthesiology Core Review comes in. The organization of this two-volume review book conforms to the official “Content Outline for Initial Certification in Anesthesiology” issued by the American Board of Anesthesiologists for both the BASIC and ADVANCED examinations. Each chapter succinctly summarizes key concepts for each topic in the exact order as described in the Content Outline.

We are proud to present the second edition of Anesthesiology Core Review. For both volumes, this update includes new chapters that reflect additions and changes to the ABA Content Outline. Part I—BASIC also includes a summary of official “keywords” from prior examinations that reflect topics from actual exam questions. We believe that this review book should serve as the “core” of your study preparation. As current/former program directors with many years of board examination advising experience, we recommend supplementing Anesthesiology Core Review with multiple-choice practice questions, keyword reviews, and references to major anesthesiology textbooks. Space is provided throughout this book to add notes from other sources.

Anesthesiology Core Review represents the successful collaboration between the two academic anesthesiology departments located in our nation’s capitol: Georgetown University and George Washington University. We challenge you to evaluate your assets and deficiencies, to work collaboratively, and to use this book to comfortably pass the ABA BASIC Examination!

Best regards for a productive career in this dynamic specialty.