Anaesthetics Flashcards
What are the three elements of general anaesthesia?
- Amnesia
- Analgesia
- Akinesis
What do induction agents do?
induce loss of consciousness (amnesia)
What is the most common induction agent?
propofol
What is the safe dose of propofol?
1.5-2.5mg/kg
True or false: Propofol increases post-operative vomiting and nausea
FALSE - It decreases PONV
How does propofol effect a patient’s heart rate and blood pressure?
It causes them to drop
What is the second choice of induction agent?
Thiopentone
what is the safe dose of thiopentone?
4-5mg/kg
which induction agent will take effect faster - propofol or thiopentone?
Thiopentone
What induction agent should be considered in a patient needs a rapid sequence induction?
Thiopentone
why is thiopentone useful for neurosurgery?
It has anti-epileptic properties
How long should induction agents take to send a patient to sleep?
15-20 seconds!
Why does induction happen so quickly?
They are lipid soluble and can quickly cross the blood brain barrier
How does thiopentone effect the heart rate and blood pressure of a patient?
drop in BP but increase in HR
When is thiopentone contradicted?
porphyria
Which induction agent is associated with dissociative anaesthesia?
Ketamine
Which induction agent is associated with the emergence phenomenon?
Ketamine - it is only used in 1-2% of patients as a result
Which has a slower onset - Ketamine or etomidate?
Ketamine - approx 90 seconds for induction
What is the safe dose of ketamine?
1-1.5mg
What effect does ketamine have on a patient’s heart rate and blood pressure?
It will increase both HR and BP
With which of these induction agents would you expect pain on injection? 1. Etomidate 2. Ketamine 3. Thiopentone 4. Propofol
- Etomidate and 4. Propofol
How long do induction agents last?
4-10 mins
How do you maintain amnesia after induction?
Inhalation (volatile) agents
What is the safe dose of etomidate?
0.3mg/kg
what induction agent should be used if a patient has a history of cardiac disease or cardiac failure?
etomidate
Etomidate should never be used for critically ill patients with septic shock - why?
Etomidate is steroid based, continuous infusion can lead to adrenocortical dysfunction which can prevent the body bringing the BP back to normal and thus worsening shock
What induction agent may be considered for a short procedure?
Ketamine as it is short-acting
Why is etomidate rarely used?
adrenocortical suppression and high incidence of PONV
Why would a patient require a rapid sequence induction?
If a patient had a full stomach for any reason
Which volatile agent can be used without IV access?
Sevoflurane
Which volatile agent has a sweet smell?
sevoflurane
which volatile agent is the most appropriate for a transplant operation? why?
Isoflurane as it has the least effect on organ blood flow