Anesthesia Knowledge Test 1 (AKT-1) Practice 2025 - Free Anesthesia Practice Questions and Study Guide

Monitoring for local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) involves being aware of a range of symptoms that indicate the central nervous system and cardiovascular systems are being affected. Tinnitus is considered a classic sign of systemic toxicity from local anesthetics, as it can be an early indicator of neurologic involvement.

Local anesthetics can cause excitement followed by sedation due to their effects on the central nervous system, leading to a range of symptoms. Tinnitus, specifically, can indicate that sufficient levels of the anesthetic are present in the bloodstream to affect auditory pathways. In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms might include metallic taste, seizures, or changes in consciousness, all of which warrant immediate attention to prevent further complications.

In contrast, while fever, bradycardia, and nasal congestion can occur in various clinical scenarios, they are not classic indicators of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Fever often indicates infection or inflammatory response, bradycardia can be a result of vagal stimulation or other medications, and nasal congestion typically relates to upper respiratory conditions or allergic reactions. These symptoms do not specifically pertain to the systemic effects of local anesthetics, making tinnitus a more relevant sign for monitoring.