Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is commonly used for infiltration and epidural anesthesia?

1. Bupivacaine

2. Ketamine

3. Lidocaine

4. Propofol

The correct answer is: Lidocaine

The commonly used agents for infiltration and epidural anesthesia are local anesthetics, with bupivacaine and lidocaine being the primary options in this context. Lidocaine is widely recognized for its rapid onset and effective short-term pain relief, making it suitable for both infiltration techniques and epidural anesthesia applications. It effectively blocks nerve conduction, providing localized numbness in the targeted area, which is essential for procedures requiring anesthesia without affecting consciousness. While bupivacaine is also a strong contender for this purpose due to its extended duration of action, if the emphasis is on infiltration and faster-acting local anesthesia, lidocaine is frequently chosen, especially for quick procedures. Ketamine, on the other hand, is primarily classified as a dissociative anesthetic, not commonly used for local anesthetic purposes, while propofol serves as an anesthetic agent but does not provide localized pain relief in the context of infiltration or epidural techniques.