Anaesthesia Flashcards
Why do we do anaesthesia? (3)
- Patient still and muscles relaxed
- Avoids stress response death
- Free of pain
Anaesthetists must be able to ___ problems in order to ____ them
preempt; avoid
Common side effects of anaesthesia drugs (2)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) – reduced heart rate and/or dilation of blood vessels.
- Respiratory depression (act on the brains respiratory centre)
What is “balanced” anaesthesia?
Use of low doses of multiple drugs each targeting specific components of anaesthesia.
What is the role of sedatives and anxiolytic drugs?
Make the patient calm and a bit sleepy
What is the role of analgesic drugs?
To relieve pain.
- Commonly used pre-emptively when pain is anticipated (before surgery)
What is the role of anaesthetic drugs?
Cause the patient to lose consciousness (induction and maintenance)
What are other types of anaesthetic drugs?
- Muscle relaxing drugs
- Specific use of muscle paralysing drugs eg eye surgery (patient may need to be ventilated)
Role of the vet in anaesthesia:
- History taking from the owner
- Pre –anaesthesia examination of the patient
- Preparation, operation and maintenance of anaesthesia equipment
- Preparation of anaesthetic drugs
- Monitoring and reacting during anaesthesia
- Post anaesthesia monitoring
- YOU ARE THE ADVOCATES FOR THE PATIENT
What are the advantages of balanced anaesthesia?
- Reduced side effects
- Ability to tailor the anaesthetic effects to the specific needs of the surgery/patient
What do plastic conduit tubes do?
Carry anaesthetic mixture (oxygen, nitrous oxide and vapour) to the patient
What does an oxygen flowmeter do?
Source of oxygen flow
What is a vaporiser on an anaesthetic machine?
Where anaesthetic vapour is picked up into nitrous oxide and oxygen
What is a nitrous oxide flowmeter?
The source of nitrous oxide flow
What is a rebreathing bag?
The bag into which the anaesthetised patient breathes
An anaesthesia plan is ____ for each patient should include ____ and responses including prepared emergency drugs
individualised; anticipated problems
Anticipated problems of anaesthesia can include:
- Hypothermia
- Hypoventilation
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Hypoxemia
What is hypothermia?
low body temperature
What is hypoventilation?
inadequate ventilation of the lungs
What is bradycardia?
slow heart rate
What is hypotension?
low blood pressure
What is hypoxemia?
low blood oxygen
Physiological considerations to anaesthesia: (7)
- Respiratory – provide oxygen, remove CO2
- Cardiovascular – perfusion of tissues with blood
- Hepatic – drug metabolism (removal)
- CNS- Central Nervous System (sleep awake)
- Renal (elimination of drugs)
- GIT-Gastrointestinal Tract (fluid & electrolyte balance)
- Endocrine (autoregulation)
Why do we monitor anaesthesia?
- Patient must be unaware, pain free, in a stable physiological state.
- Anaesthesia must be reversible.
What is analgesia?
absence of the sensation of pain without loss of consciousness
What is nociception vs pain?
- Nociception is the body’s physical response to a threat
- Pain is the brain’s interpretation and awareness of that threat
Anaesthesia kills ___ patients than surgery
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