Anaesthetics Flashcards
Name the 4 key features of an anaesthetic
- Lack of awareness
- Analgesia
- Optimise surgical conditions
- Patient safety
Name 3 considerations for the airway section of A-E assessment in surgery
- Intubation?
- Face mask with spontaneous breathing?
- NP airway?
Name 2 considerations for the breathing section of A-E assessment in surgery
- Spontaneous?
2. Baseline O2 saturations and any changes to this
Name 2 considerations for the circulation section of A-E assessment in surgery
- Normal BP
2. Target BP for operation
Name 1 consideration for the disability section of A-E assessment in surgery
Are any nerves under pressure (e.g. is pt. lying in difficult position)
Name 1 consideration for the exposure section of A-E assessment in surgery
Is pt. at risk of pressure ulcers (are they lying on something they shouldn’t be)
Name 3 respiratory conditions to be considered in a pre-operative assessment
- COPD/asthma
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Recent LRTI
Name 3 cardiovascular conditions to be considered in a pre-operative assessment
- Ischaemic heart disease (MI in last 3 months)
- Valvular disease
- Pacemaker
Name 3 GI conditions to be considered in a pre-operative assessment
- Aspiration pneumonitis
- GORD
- Hiatus hernia
Name 3 general aspects to be considered in a pre-operative assessment
- PMH/PSH
- Social history
- Height and weight
Name 4 drugs to be specifically considered during a pre-operative assessment (e.g. is patient regularly taking any of these)
- Anticoagulants
- Anti-hypertensives
- Steroids
- Normal analgesia/opiate
Name 5 key aspects of an airway assessment pre-operatively
- Mouth opening
- Teeth (e.g. crowded teeth)
- Jaw protrusion
- Neck protrusion
- Obesity and neck shape
What does the Mallampati score predict?
A predictor of obstructive sleep apnoea
What is the ASA grading?
A measure of pre-operative health
Give an example of an IV induction agent
Propofol
What is the broad mechanism by which general anaesthetic works?
Balance of excitatory and inhibitory effects to put pt. to sleep
How do inhaled anaesthetics generally work?
Work on GABA receptor to increase inhibitory effects
What is thought to be the MOA of ketamine?
Inhibit excitatory effects by inhibiting NMDA receptors
Name three main IV anaesthetic agents
- Propofol
- Thiopentone
- Ketamine
Name one inhaled anaesthetic
Sevoflurane
Name one depolarising neuromuscular blocker
Suxamethonium
Name one non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker
Rocuronium
Give an example of a drug used to reverse a neuromuscular blocker
Sugamadex (mops up NM blocker)
Name the two major classes of emergency drugs used in anaesthetics
- Vasopressors
2. Vagolytics
Give the MOA of vasopressors
Increase BP by:
- Act on Alpha 1 to vasoconstrict vessel
- Act on beta 1 to increase HR and myocardial activity
Give the MOA of vagolytics
Increase HR by:
- Inhibit effects of vagus nerve to increase SNS and decrease PNS
Name 4 modifiable risk factors considered at pre-operative assessment
Alcohol
Smoking
Diet
Activity
What peri-operative risk scoring system is most commonly used but cannot be used for risk prediction due to variables like blood loss?
POSSUM
What is SORT and what is it used for?
Data entry of 6 pre-operative variables to give % mortality risk estimate for patients (non-cardiac, non-neurological surgery)
Name 3 components of assessment of functional capacity
6 min walk test
Timed up and go test
Frailty scoring
Name 3 components of pre-optimisation of chronic illnesses
Prehabilitation
Pulmonary rehab for COPD
Diabetes control
What is the main reason for fasting surgical patients?
To prevent pulmonary aspiration under anaesthesia
Name 3 normal anatomical and physiological barriers to aspiration in a conscious patient
- Gastro-oesophageal junction (at T10)
- Upper oesophageal sphincter
- Protective laryngeal reflexes