Count to 10 - Anaesthetic Primary Podcast

A live practice viva explores uterotonics, oxytocin safety, carbetocin, and postpartum haemorrhage management. It then dives into cardiac output, preload, Frank-Starling physiology, contractility, venous return, ejection fraction, and atrial fibrillation in older patients. Practical feedback covers answer structure, pacing, self-correction, and communicating clearly under exam pressure.

A lively deep dive into inhalational anaesthetics, from modern mechanisms and structure-activity relationships to the properties of an ideal agent. Explore vapour pressure, vaporizers, partition coefficients, wash-in and wash-out kinetics, concentration and second gas effects, plus exam-style questions on consciousness and pharmacokinetics.

A concise tour of swallowing anatomy and the neural control across oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phases. A clear look at what forms the gastroesophageal barrier and factors that raise reflux risk. Breakdown of gastric motility, pacemaker activity and what controls emptying. Review of gastric secretions, cell functions and the physiology behind nausea and vomiting.

A concise tour of liver structure and the key cell types that keep it running. Short takes on the many liver roles using a memorable mnemonic. Clear coverage of metabolism, excretion and storage functions. Practical summaries of hepatic blood flow, how anaesthesia alters it, and which lab tests map to function.

Clear explanation of ultrasound physics, from piezoelectric crystals to image formation and probe choice. Practical tips on image optimization, Doppler basics and measuring cardiac output with LVOT VTI. Introduction to SedLine/Z-Line neuromonitoring and how spectral heatmaps help detect asymmetry. Brief exam-style questions and model answers to practice the key concepts.

A live practice viva covering desflurane’s physical properties and rapid onset, phenylephrine pharmacology and overdose risks, core haemostasis mechanisms including platelets, von Willebrand and coagulation, and perioperative lignocaine routes, dosing and toxicity. Brief feedback on viva technique rounds out the session.

Covers suction systems, how vacuum is generated and testing standards. Explains scavenging, environmental metrics and greenhouse impacts of anaesthetic agents. Reviews theatre electrical supply, socket types, earthing, macro vs microshock and prevention measures. Describes diathermy and laser basics, modes, hazards and fire risk in the operating theatre.

A concise review of the 2026 SAQ paper with analysis of new, repeat and reworded questions. Specific recent items discussed include pre-oxygenation, calcium roles and volatile agent properties. Practical tips cover timing strategy, ordering answers and using question headings to structure responses. Trends noted include booklet formatting and clearer examiner prompts.

Maurice Hennessy, retired learning and development facilitator and former paediatric nurse, shares practical tips for clinician teaching and workplace learning. He talks about being a curious learner and suspending judgment. He outlines FAST goals to shape trainee-supervisor interactions. He introduces a Conversation Starters tool and reviews six evidence-based study strategies for theatre practice.

A whirlwind tour of how medical oxygen is produced, stored and delivered, from fractional distillation to vacuum insulated evaporators. Practical systems are covered next: cylinders, connectors, safe handling and hospital supply. The podcast then surveys oxygen therapy devices, breathing circuits including circle and Mapleson systems, CO2 absorbents and vapouriser types and safety considerations.