Anesthesia Flashcards
Describe the risk level and criteria for each of the ASA classifications. Give an example of a condition for each level.
4 JG
ASA I: Minimal risk; Normal healthy patient; Patients undergoing elective procedure such as spay, neuter, or declaw
ASA II: Low risk; Patient with mild systemic disease; Neonatal, geriatric, or obese patients, mild dehydration, low grade heart murmur
ASA III: Moderate risk; Patient with severe systemic disease; Anemia, moderate dehydration, compensated major organ disease
ASA IV: High risk; Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life; Ruptured bladder, internal hemorrhage, pneumothorax, pyometra
ASA V: Extreme risk; Moribund patient that is not expected to survive without the operation; Severe head trauma, pulmonary embolus, GDV, end-stage major organ failure
ASA VI: N/A; A declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes; This classification is not used in veterinary patients
Bassert, J. M., Beel, A. D., & Samples, O. M. (2021, March 25). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses. McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses - 10th Edition. (p. 929)
Anesthetic drugs work by binding to specific receptors on or inside the cells of target tissues in the central or peripheral nervous system. Describe how agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, and mixed agonist-antagonists interact with receptors to produce their effects.
4 JG
Agonists: drugs that bind to receptors and exert one or more effects
Antagonists: drugs that block or reverse the action of the corresponding agonist; also referred to as reversal agents
Partial agonists: Drugs that bind to receptors and exert a partial or milder effect than an agonist
Mixed agonist-antagonists: drugs that partially reverse the effect of a pure agonist
Bassert, J. M., Beel, A. D., & Samples, O. M. (2021, March 25). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses. McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses - 10th Edition. (p. 929)
What are the fasting recommendations for dogs and cats, horses, cattle, small ruminants, and neonates and pediatric patients (less that 8 weeks old) in regards to both food and water?
4 JG
Cats and Dogs: (Food: 8-12 hours unless under 2 kg, fasting times should be shorter); (Water: 2-4 hours)
Horses: (Food: 8-12 hours); (Water: 0-2 hours)
Cattle: (Food: 24-48 hours); (Water: 8-12 hours)
Small Ruminants: (Food:12-18 hours); (Water: 8-12 hours)
Neonates and pediatric patients: should not be fasted from food or water
Bassert, J. M., Beel, A. D., & Samples, O. M. (2021, March 25). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses. McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses - 10th Edition. (p. 928)
What steps should be taken to reduce heat loss during all anesthetic procedures?
4 JG
Do not allow the patient’s body to contact stainless steel.
Place a heat-retaining surface under the patient, such as a warm-water circulating blanket, a blanket, a towel, or lambs’ wool.
During preparation of the surgery site, avoid the use of alcohol as a rinsing agent and avoid wetting the hair excessively.
Avoid excessively low ambient temperatures in the surgical suite.
Bassert, J. M., Beel, A. D., & Samples, O. M. (2021, March 25). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses. McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses - 10th Edition. (p. 952)
How can we confirm proper placement of the endotracheal tube in our patients?
4 JG
Revisualize the larynx to confirm successful intubation.
Watch for expansion and contraction of the reservoir bag as the animal breathes. (cats, dogs, and small ruminants)
Feel for air movement from the tube connector as the patient exhales.
Palpate the neck. If the tube is properly placed only one firm structure should be felt, if there are two, the ET tube is in the esophagus. The trachea should be the only structure palpated post placement.
If the patient is able to vocalize (cry or whine), the tube is not in the trachea.
When using an ETCO2 monitor, the presence of a normal waveform indicates proper placement.
Check that the motion of the unidirectional valves coincides with breathing, though this is not the most reliable form of confirmation.
Bassert, J. M., Beel, A. D., & Samples, O. M. (2021, March 25). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses. McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses - 10th Edition. (p. 947)
What are the four general systems anesthetic machines have and what do they do?
13, TN McCurnin 10th Ed
- Carrier gas supply: Delivers oxygen and other carrier gases to the patient at a controlled flow rate.
- Anesthetic vaporizer: Vaporizes a precise concentration of liquid inhalant anesthetic and mixes it with carrier gases.
- Breathing circuit: Delivers the anesthetic and oxygen mixture to the patient via endotracheal tube, mask, or chamber and conveys expired gases away from the patient.
- Scavenging system: Disposes of waste and excess anesthetic gases.
pg 937
What is a common complication that is encountered with cats upon intubation? How do you fix that?
13 TN McCurnin 10th Ed
Laryngospasm. These occur when the glottis forcibly closes during intubation and makes intubation difficult because the glottis cannot be safely forced open.
To fix: Should be done preemptively. Apply 2% lidocaine to the glottis prior to intubation to prevent glottis from shutting.
pg 947
What are the planes of anesthesia?
13 TN McCurnin 10th Ed
Stage I: Period of voluntary movement
Stage II: Period of involuntary movement.
Stage III: Period of surgical anesthesia
Stage IV: Period of anesthetic overdose
pg 949
What are the indicators of ventilation?
13 TN McCurnin 10th Ed
Respiratory rate, respiratory effort, tidal volume, capnography, and blood gas analysis
pg 951
What is an esophageal stethoscope used for?
13 TN McCurnin 10th Ed
This device is not capable of determining heart rhythm, but it can be used to determine possible arrhythmias by noting changes in heart rate, irregularity, or interruptions to heart sounds.
pg 953
What type of drug is Etomidate?
Hypnotic
DM,12, McCurnin 10th Ed. Pg. 934
Supraglottic Airway Devices (SAD)
Often used in cats and rabbits: seals around laryngeal opening without invading tracheal lumen
DM,12, McCurnin 10th Ed. Pg. 935
Other name for pop-off valve
Adjustable pressure-limiting (APL) valve
DM,12, McCurnin 10th Ed. Pg. 938
T or F: ET intubation in equine medicine is performed blindly because the larynx is impossible to see
True
DM,12, McCurnin 10th Ed. Pg. 946
Mechanical dead space VS. Anatomical dead space
Mechanical: y-piece, ETT extending beyond mouth, capnograph
Anatomical: mouth, nasal passages, pharynx, trachea, bronchi
DM,12, McCurnin 10th Ed. Pg. 945
What is the difference between general anesthesia and local anesthesia?
General anesthesia is characterized by unconsciousness and insensibility to feeling and pain induced by administration of anesthetic agents given alone or in combination. Local anesthesia is the loss of sensation in a localized body part or region induced by administration of a drug or other agent without loss of consciousness.
Student #11, JM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 927
What is neuroleptanalgesia?
Neuroleptanalgesia is a state of profound sedation and analgesia produced by simultaneous administration of an opioid and a tranquilizer.
Student #11, JM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 927-928
What is the difference between sedation and tranquilization?
Sedation is a state of calm or drowsiness. Tranquilization is a state of relaxation and reduced anxiety.
Student #11, JM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 927
What are some adverse effects of anticholinergics?
Tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, bronchodilation, mydriasis, ileus.
Student #11, JM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 929
What abnormalities must be corrected to stabilize the patient before the anesthetic is administered?
Dehydration, hypovolemia, anemia, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory compromise, major organ failure, electrolyte/acid-base imbalance
Student #11, JM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 928
Why is it important to monitor respiratory rate and depth carefully, especially for the first 1-2 minutes after the initial injection of propofol?
Respiratory depression, including apnea, may occur and can be severe after rapid injection or with high doses.
Student #10, AM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 932
True or false: Alfaxalone may be given intramuscularly in cats and dogs for heavy sedation or light anesthesia?
True
Student #10, AM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 933
What are dissociatives typically used in combination with to induce and maintain anesthesia and to provide analgesia?
Opioids and tranquilizers
Student #10, AM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 933
What are some of the main advantages of sevoflurane?
Rapid induction, recovery, and changes in anesthetic depth associated with this agent
Student #10, AM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 934
What is the only barbiturate-class general anesthetic still in regular use?
Pentobarbital sodium
Student #10, AM
McCurnin 10th edition, page: 934
What class of controlled substance is propofol?
Class IV controlled substance
Student #6, MH
Mccurnin 10th edition, page 932