5a. Preanesthetic Work-Up Flashcards
What is the RVT checklist and what are some things that might be on it?
communication of procedures and risk w/ client
consent - written
min. patient database including dx
assess patient anesthetic risk
proper patient fasting
anesthetic and monitoring equipment working
surgical supplies and equipment are ready
Pre-induction patient care - sedation, pre-emptive analgesia, other meds, fluids, temp support, enemas, bandage removal and wound care
What are some communicative do’s?
take time to commune w/ client
know pet/procedure being done
know patient hx and discuss possible complications
get accurate contact info
be honest about cost (include post-op follow up)
keep client informed, esp. if something goes wrong
know what clients wants in event of complications
be thorough about post surgical care reqs (especially post-op home care requirement
What are some communicative dont’s?
NEVER guarantee a cure
Don’t assume that the client understands what is happening, or what is going on - must be able to explain procedures including sedation, anes., sx procedure, home care
Don’t lie to them about s/e and complications, about the cost and cost of complications and that complications/mistakes DO occur
What is the minimum patient database?
- patient signalment
- Patient hx (current/chronic conditions, meds, prior anesthetics/surgeries)
- weight, TPR, mentation
- Complete PE
- Pre-surg pain assessment
- Pre-anes diagnostic workup
What do we grab when we admit a patient and history?
admitting: confirm procedure, cost, contact info, CONSENT, confirm “what if” in case of complication, establish discharge (same day or hospital stay)
Hx: in clinic medical (incl. past labs) and anes hx, patient hx (chronic and acute), current meds, fasting?, water withdrawal?
Why is signalment important?
horses and cats become excited on opioids
dosing requirements diff for every species
horses req dedicated recovery areas to prevent injury
large animals require ventilation support
exotics are handled differently
Why do we care about the breed we’re operating on?
Breed specific MDR1-deficiency (border collies)
sighthounds sensitive to barbiturates
boxers sensitive to acepromazine; terries resistant to it
brachycephalic breed are difficult to intubate; require monitoring during sedation and recovery
Why do we care about the age of the patient we are operating on?
geriatrics often have dec liver and renal functions and overall lowered anesthetic tolerance\neonates and pediatrics have higher fluid reqs, inc risk of hypothermia and diff drug metabolism
Why is sex and repro status important in the patient we’re working on
preg patients always at risk for drug effects to both patient/fetus - inc CV demand, risk of abortion or teratogenicity
Select drugs that do not cross the placenta if possible
avoid acepromazine in stallions
benzodiazepines cause floppy baby syndrome
xylazine can cause abortion in cows/ewes
Why do we perform a PE for premed?
PE and drug order for premed MUST be by the vet
Vet can perform the PE and give order up to 24h before procedure; in event; RVT MUST perform exam immediately (ensure no change in patient) before giving meds
minimal exam immediately before premed (weight, BCS, TPR, MM< hydration status, mentation status, MUST record all values and findings)
What are some PE changes that could occur in 24 hours
hydration - skin tent, sunken eyes
Weight
What normals do we need to memorize?
Temp, HR, RR, CRT, indicators of mild, mod and severe dehydration
record normal for patient
allowances while under anes alter depending on specific patients’ norms
Why is weight/BCS important to know before surgery?
in-clinic patients should be weighed minimum of 124h
ALL anes. patients be weighed on day of
Most important short term weight change is hydration
Must know BCS for ideal BW
if low BCS, need to considered hypoalbuminemia, low body fat, illness
If High BCS, will need to consider lean BW for dosing, underlying cardiac dz, inc resp dep, under GA, fatty liver syndrome in cat post-op
Why is mentation important for surgery?
Gives indication of underlying illness, CNS status. patients w/ dec mentation have inc risk under GA
Part of distance exam,
lvls: BAR, QAR, lethargic, obtunded, suporous (aroused by painful stimuli), comatose
What are things we MUST report to DVM when doing a PE before giving premeds?
change in weight, hypo/hyperthermia, abnormal HR< rhythm, or murmur; weak, overly strong (bounding) or irregular pulse
inc resp rate or effort: altered lung sounds
delayed CRT; pale, cyanotic or icteric MM
dehydration
cachexia
change in mentation or neurological changes
vomit
What are some additional diagnostics that can be done pre-surgery?
min tests: PCV, TP< BUN, BG
can be done immediately prior to anes or within a reasonable time frame (young patient who is healthy, old patient who is otherwise healthy, patient hit by car 3 d ago)
when testing is declined in whole or part there should be signed consent form
What do we need to record on our anes exam findings?
drug patient is taking
current weight and BCS
TPR, MM, CRT, mentation
anything abnormal
anything examined and found abnormal
also, verbally communicate any abnormalities to VIC
What is the physical status classification
based on minimal patient database
PS1 minimal risk
PS2 low risk
PS3 moderate risk
PS4 high risk
PS5 extreme risk, patient will die w/o procedure
There is NEVER no risk
What is the risk level of PS1? Give the criteria and an example of it
minimal - normal, healthy and not old/very young. Ideal BCS
Young to middle age patients
electives (Spay, neuter)
dental trophy (gr1-2 dental disease)
What is the risk level of PS2, what is the criteria and examples?
low - may have mild systemic dz or slight altered drug metabolism
Neonates, pediatric, geriatric, brachycephalic, mild collapsing
trachea
- Mild chronic liver, renal change, low grade murmur, controlled
hypertension, diabetes
- Mild obesity
- Pregnancy
- Mild dehydration (<3%)
What is the risk level of PS3, the criteria and an example of it
moderate - has severe systemic disease that is well managed
- Moderate dehydration (3-5%)
- Anemia
- Compensated major organ disease (chronic renal disease, controlled
heart failure)
- Moderate-severe collapsing trachea w/ dyspneic episodes
- Addison’s
- FB gastrotomy, cystotomy
What is the risk level of PS4, the criteria and an example of it?
High - has severe systemic disease that is a (constant) threat to life
- Stage 3 heart failure; stage 3 renal disease, liver failure
- Ruptured bladder, pyometra, internal hemorrhage, pneumothorax
What is the risk level of PS5, criteria and an example of it
extreme, survival not likely - MORIBUND. not expected to survive beyond 24h w/o the procedure. Chances of surviving procedure very low
Bleeding out and cannot control blood loss
- Hypothermia
- GVD
- Perforated linear FB with peritonitis
- Stage 4 heart failure, stage 4 kidney failure; end stage liver failure
- Imminent death: multi-organ failure
What is the goal of pre-op stabilizing?
stabalize patient as much as possible prior to any anesthetic/surgical procedure; ensures least patient risk
Depends on whether procedure is elective, required on emergency
Stabilization: fluids to restore dehydration, postpone until ideal BCS, stop bleeding, treat infections, blood transfusions
In event of emergency, many not be able to wait “E” is placed after PS score ex: PS3e
Why are healthy geriatrics considered PS2?
We can see a lot of decline in kidney and liver function before it shows on any diagnostic tests
What are the inherent risks of GA
- CNS depression - suppression of hypothalamic control of temp and other homeostatic func and also dec ability to vasoconstrict in response to any drops in BP
- Dec HR, cardiac output
- Dec RR, tidal volume
- Vasodilation due to gas anesthetics will contribute to hypotension
- Risk of esophageal reflux and aspiration pneumonia
How can we limit the inherent risks of GA?
fasting, temp support, O support, fluids and patient monitoring
What is fasting?
FAST = no food; can have water
NPO = nil per os = no food/water
Fasting is important before anes induction
dec risk associated w/ vomit and regurg during induction, sx and recovery
Job of RVT to instruct client on fasting protocol before surgery date
MUST confirm at time of admitting that patient was fasted - if uncertain, assume patient has not been fasted. may require postponing surgery
What is the standards hours to withold food and water in cats and dogs?
Food: 8-12hrs
Water: 2-4
What are the standard hours to withhold food and water in horses?
Food: 8-12
Water: 0-2