| 8.1 | Mean, median and mode | ||
| 8.2 | Normal distribution | ||
| 8.3 | Number needed to treat | ||
| 8.4 | Odds ratio | ||
| 8.5 | Predictive values | ||
| 8.6 | Sensitivity and specificity | ||
| 8.7 | Significance tests | ||
| 8.8 | Statistical variability | ||
| 8.9 | Type I and type II errors |
Preface
This book is a compendium of the diagrams, graphs, equations and tables needed for anaesthetic practice. It has been written with the FRCA examinations in mind, although it is equally well suited for revision at any stage of an anaesthetic practitioner’s career. Senior anaesthetists will find this book useful as an aide-memoire when teaching and examining trainee colleagues. Additionally it is hoped it will prove useful to anyone who is looking for short and clear explanations of the fundamental principles surrounding anaesthesia.
Each page contains a separate topic with the relevant diagram, graph, equation or table succinctly described for rapid review and assimilation. The diagrams and graphs have been specifically drawn to allow them, in the main, to be easily reproduced in an exam setting. Additionally, a simple standardized colour palette has been used throughout the book to allow anyone with a 4-colour pen to draw the diagrams clearly and accurately.
The explanations are purposely short (250–300 words) but have been carefully written to provide enough up to date detail to effectively explain the illustration, equation, graph or table. Although the text is centred on an explanation of the basic sciences related to the topic, where appropriate the clinical applications of the principles are also discussed.
Many anaesthetic textbooks have good diagrams and detailed explanations but few, if any, have all the diagrams needed for anaesthetic practice and the FRCA examinations. This book has been borne out of that need and we hope you will find it useful and stimulating.
Tim Hooper, James Nickells, Sonja Payne,
Annabel Pearson and Ben Walton
June 2015
About the authors
The idea for the book was that of lead author Tim Hooper, Army anaesthetist, intensivist and prehospital care doctor. Experienced writer, artist and anaesthetist James Nickells provided original artwork for the book, while anaesthetist and intensivist Ben Walton used his considerable writing experience to help edit it. Senior anaesthetic trainees Sonja Payne and Annabel Pearson had the unenviable task of researching and writing each topic and without them this book would still be only an idea. All authors work and live in the Bristol region.
Abbreviations
| AAG | α-1-acid glycoprotein | |
| ACA | anterior cerebral artery | |
| ACE | angiotensin converting enzyme | |
| ACh | acetylcholine | |
| ACOM | anterior communicating artery | |
| ADH | antidiuretic hormone | |
| ANP |
|