Anaesthetic Accidents and Emergencies

Question 1

What can happen if you adminster Propofol too quickly? What clinical signs does it cause?

Answer 1

Tachycardia, apnoea, hypotension

Question 2

What should you do if Propofol is administered too quickly and the animal is apnoeic, tachycardic and hypotensive?

Answer 2

Administer 1-2 breaths and give it time to start breathing spontaneously again

Question 3

What should the inspired CO2 of an anaesthetised animal be? What is another name for this?

Answer 3

It should be 0. If >0 it is known as rebreathing. Check the cannister if a circle or fresh gas flow in a non-breathing system.

Question 4

During anaesthesia, what type of things can cause tachycardia?

Answer 4

Pain, light anaesthesia, hypovolaemia, hypotension, hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, hyperthermia

Question 5

If an animal is tachycardic during anaesthesia, what should you do to assess the cause?

Answer 5

Palpate pulses, take blood pressure, look at MM colour, evaluate blood loss, evaluate anaesthetic depth, check the pulse oximeter, capnograph and blood gas.

Question 6

How long does morphine last as a analgesic? What clinical signs might you see if it was not sufficient anymore?

Answer 6

Around 4 hours

Tachycardia, tachypnoea, central eye position, palpebral reflex returning

Question 7

What can happen if a pop-off valve is left closed?

Answer 7

Gas flow has no where to escape, increasing intrathoracic pressure. This can cause compression of pulmonary capillaries, compression of heart chambers and aorta, alveolar damage and rupture and lead to CIRCULATORY ARREST.

Question 8

What should you do if you suspect an ET tube obstruction?

Answer 8

Remove the ET tube and replace the tube

Question 9

What are some potential causes of prolonged anaesthetic recovery?

Answer 9

Hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, anaesthetic overdose, hepatic/renal failure, hypovolaemia, hypotension, cardiovascular collapse.