Anaesthetics - introduction

Question 1

3 main types of anaesthetics

Answer 1

• General → entire body, loss of consciousness, centrally acting
• Regional → particular area of the body/ spinal level/ nerve
• Local → only relevant part of body, applied to tissue directly

Question 2

What makes up the triad of anaesthetics

Answer 2

• Hypnosis → unconsciousness
• Analgesia → pain relief
• Relaxation → muscle relaxant

Question 3

Why is the triad of anaesthesia used

Answer 3

• Each drugs or type of drug does more than one job
• e.g. opiates provide analgesia and contribute to unconsciousness

Question 4

Define balanced anaesthesia

Answer 4

• Different drugs doing different jobs
• Titration separately for accurate requirements
  
  • Flexibility

Question 5

Pros and cons of balanced anaesthesia

Answer 5

• Pros
  
  • Tailored to each patient
  • Keeps individual drugs doses down
  • Avoids overdosage
• Cons
  
  • Polypharmacy → drug reactions and allergies
  • Muscle relaxants require artificial ventilation and airway control
  • Separation of relaxation and hypnosis → awareness