Anaesthetics Flashcards
what are the 2 types of anaesthesia?
- general
- regional
what is true NBM pre-operatively?
- 6h no food
- 2h no clear fluids
which medications can be offered pre-op? give the indication for each one
- BDZ, e.g. midazolam (anxiolytic)
- opiates, e.g. alfentanil (reduces pain and HTN in response to laryngoscope)
- alpha-2-adrenergic agonists, e.g. clonidine (sedation and pain relief)
why and when is rapid sequence induction used?
- to gain airway control as quickly and safely as possible
- emergencies
- GORD
- pregnancy
key complication in RSI? how can this be avoided?
- aspiration of stomach contents into lungs
- apply cricoid pressure
what is the triad of GA?
- hypnosis
- muscle relaxation
- analgesia
what is the role of hypnotic agents in GA?
to make the pt unconscious
hypnotic agents which can be administered IV?
used to induce LOC:
- propofol
- ketamine
- thiopental sodium
- etomidate (rare)
hypnotic agents which are inhaled?
mostly used to maintain LOC
volatile:
- sevoflurane
- desflurane
- isoflurane
non-volatile:
- nitrous oxide
where do muscle relaxants act?
NMJ
name a depolarising muscle relaxant
suxamethonium
name a non-depolarising muscle relaxant
- rocuronium
- atracurium
how can a muscle relaxant’s actions be reversed?
- neostigmine
- sugammadex (only for non-depolarising ones)
give examples of analgesic agents used in GA?
all opiates:
- fentanyl
- alfentanil
- remifentanil
- morphine
which antiemetics are used prophylactically post-op?
- ondansetron
- dexamethasone
- cyclizine
drug class of ondansetron?
5HT3 (serotonin) receptor antagonist
drug class of dexamethasone?
corticosteroid
drug class of cyclizine?
H1 (histamine) receptor antagonist
who should cyclizine be used with caution in?
- pts with HF
- elderly
who should dexamethasone be used with caution in?
- pts with DM
- immunocompromised pts
how can you test if the muscle stimulant has worn off?
- train-of-four stimulation
describe train-of-four stimulation
- try to stimulate a nerve 4 times
- if the muscle responses get weaker with each stimulation, it means the relaxant has not yet worn off
what is malignant hyperthermia?
rare but dangerous hypermetabolic response to anaesthesia
which agents carry a risk of malignant hyperthermia?
- volatile anaesthetics (isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane)
- suxamethonium