Anesthesia Equipment And Safety Flashcards
List 2 North American professional organizations that offer specialization in anesthesia and analgesia and summarize the aims of each.
- Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia (AVTAA)
- promote interest in the discipline of vet anesthesia - American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA)
- define and promote the highest standards of clinical practice of vet anesthesia and analgesia and to define criteria used to designate vet with advanced training as specialists in the clinical practice of vet anesthesiology
Anesthesia
Loss of sensation
General anesthesia
Reversible state of unconsciousness, loss of sensation, immobility, and muscle relaxation even if presented with painful stimulus
Surgical anesthesia
General anesthesia with sufficient analgesia and muscle relaxation (Plane 2, medium anesthetic depth)
Local anesthesia
Disruption of sensory neurons nerve impulse = loss of sensation in a small area of the body by administering local anesthetic agent in area of interest (infiltration)
Sensory neurons - transmit nerve impulse from periphery to CNS after sensing pain/heat or cold/pressure
Topical anesthesia
Loss of sensation to a localized area by administering anesthesia directly to skin/body surface
Ex. Spray lidocaine in open wound
Regional anesthesia
Loss of sensation in a limited area of the body by administering agent in proximity to sensory nerve
Ex. Lidocaine/Bupivacaine Injection (Epidural)
Epidural
Loss of sensation in pelvis, hindquarters (hind legs, quadriceps)
Ex. Lidocaine/Bupivacaine Injection
Sedation
Drug induced CNS depression and drowsiness varying from light to deep intensity (unconscious, unaware, arousal with noxious stimulus)
Ex. Neurolept analgesia
Tranquilization
Drug induced state of calm where patient is reluctant to move, unconcerned but aware of surrounding (conscious)
Ex. Trazodone, Acepromazine
Hypnosis
Drug-induced sleep-like state impairing ability to response to stimuli; need proper arousal for sufficient stimulation
Ex. Propofol
Narcosis
Narcotics induced sleep which patient is not easily aroused
Ex. Opioid
What are the advantages of multimodal/balance anesthesia
Administer multiple anesthetics in smaller quantities - synergistic effects, minimize adverse effects
Maximizes/maintain pain control and other positive effects (muscle relaxation)
Therapeutic Index (TI)
Dose range which a medication is effective without unwanted adverse effects
Anesthetics have low TI = narrow margin that can be safely administered
List common indications for anesthesia.
Performing surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, wound care, transport, restraint of aggressive patients
What are the challenges and risks with anesthesia?
Pulmonary and cardiac function affected by anesthesia: decreased cardiac output, hypothermia, hypoventilation, hypoxemia/hypercapnia, hypotension
constantly check vital signs, monitoring equipment, and patient
List the qualities and abilities of a successful veterinary anesthetist.
High level of knowledge
Competency
Commitment
Acceptance of responsibility on the part of the anesthetist
What is the role of a VT in communication and why do you need to communicate effectively?
Link between patient, client, DVM
Patient advocate
Educate clients
Relay accurate info to DVM
Why should a preoperative patient evaluation occur?
Gathered info could lead to factors complicating anesthesia affecting DVM’s decision to change protocol/delay procedure
List the parts of a minimum patient database.
Patient history
Signalment
Physical exam
Preanesthetic diagnostics
How can a patient’s signalment (species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status) influence the anesthetic procedure and pain management?
Sensitivity to drugs (cats to opioids)
Difficult intubation (bracycephalic)
Slow metabolism, recovery (neonates)
Estrous cycle and pregnancy status (drugs cross placental barrier)
How would you gather a patient’s history?
Ask open-ended, non-leading questions
Eating, drinking, defecation, urine, behavior, vomiting, regurgitation, coughing, sneezing (duration, volume/severity, frequency, and appearance)
Medications/vaccine status/preexisting medical history
What factors influence anesthetic procedures or pain management?
Dehydration - ↑ hypotension, poor tissue perfusion
Anemia - hypoxemia
Bruising - clotting disorder
Respiratory/Cardiovascular dz- anesthetic complications
Enlarged liver, small kidneys - ↓ metabolism, inability to excrete anesthetic agents
Ear mites/infection, fleas, overgrown nails, impacted anal glands - co-treated during surgery
Physical abnormalities - retained testicle = complex case
List the abnormalities associated with signlament critetia.
Eating - hyporexia/anorexia
Drinking - polydipsia/hypodipsia/adipsia
Defecation - tenesmus (frequent defecation)/diarrhea
Urine - pollakiuria/polyuria/oliguria/anuria
Behavior - pain/exercise/intolerance/syncope
What is the rationale for obtaining an owner consent form? What needs to be discussed with the owner?
Law – obtain client’s consent
Correct patient
Cost estimate
Discuss procedure risks, fasting & CPR status
Extra Label Drug Use
Contact information
What are the normal vital signs for dogs?
Psys(mmHg): 90-140
HR(bpm): 60-180
Respiratory Rate: 10-30, pant
Heart Rhythm: NSR/SA
Temp: 100-102.5°F
SPO2: 95-100%
MAP: 70-100 mmHg
MM: pink, pale pink, pigmented
CRT: <2 sec
ETCO2: 35-45 mmHg (<55 mmHg anesthetized)
<5% dehydrated (skin turgor, MM, enopthalmos)
What are the normal vital signs for cats?
Psys(mmHg): 80-140
HR: 120-240 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 15-30
Heart Rhythm: NSR
Temp: 100-102.5°F
SPO2: 95-100%
MAP: 70-100 mmHg
MM: pink, pale pink, pigmented
CRT: <2 sec
ETCO2: 35-45 mmHg (<55 mmHg anesthetized)
<5% dehydrated (skin turgor, MM, enopthalmos)
How can a patient’s body weight affect selection of anesthesia?
Dose of anesthesia = based on lean body weight/exclude fat
Cachexia – sensitivity to barbiturates, risk of hypothermia
Obesity – compromised cardiovascular system & functional lung volume
What are some tasks during preanesthetic preparation?
- Obtain sample & run diagnostics
Minimum diagnostics: PCV/TP, BUN, ALT - Stabilize conditions – dehydration, anemia
- Place an IV cather
- Know fasting status & administer prescribed premedication
What are the 5 patient physical status classifications as specified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists?
PS1 - Minimal risks/Normal,healthy pt criteria/OVH (elective) conditions
PS2 - Low risks/ Mild systemic disease criteria/Conditions-Neonates, Mild Dehydration
PS3 - Moderate risks/severe systemic disease criteria/ Conditions-Anemia, Organ disease, dehydrated
PS4 - High risks/ Severe life-threatening disease criteria/ conditions- Hemorrhage, pyometra
PS5 - Extreme risks/ Moribund – life saving operation criteria/ Conditions- Pulmonary embolus, GDV
What is the recommended withholding time for food and water for various species?
Dogs and cats: 8-12 hours (food)/2-4 hours (water)
Horses: 8-12 hours (food)/0-2 hours (water)
Cattle: 24-48 hours (food)/8-12 hours (water)
Small ruminants: 12-18 hours (food)/8-12 hours (water)
Neonates and pediatric patients: none for both
Why would an IV catheter be advisable for anesthetized patients?
- Maintain blood volume & pressure
- Rapid drug administration
- CRI: slow continuous infusion by syringe pump to maintain drug/anesthesia effect
- Administer vesicants – damaging to tissue when injected perivascularly
Why is fluid administration indicated for anesthetic procedures? How does anesthesia affect blood homeostasis?
Anesthetic agents cause
• Negative inotropy - ↓ force of muscle contractions (bradycardia, ↓ cardiac output)
• Vasodilation – vessels relax ↑ intravascular volume (hypotension, decrease tissue perfusion)
IV fluids ↑ circulation blood volume & cardiac output
Dehydration depletes ECF fluid
Hemorrhage depletes IV fluid
Perform an infusion rate calculation.
lb x 1kg/2.2lb x mL/(kg/hr) x 1hr/60min x 1min/60sec x gtt/mL
Macrodrip Set = 10-15gtt/mL
(>100mL/h, >10-20kg patients)
Microdrip Set = 60gtt/mL
(<100mL/h, <10-20kg)
Replacement Fluid
↑ Na⁺ and Cl⁻ (replace fluid in ECF = ideal for dehydration)
Maintenance fluid
↓ Na⁺ and Cl⁻, ↑ K⁺ (maintain fluid balance longer period, similar to TBW)
Balanced
Osmolarity similar to ECF
Isotonic
Hypertonic
Hypotonic
Isotonic: osmolarity similar to plasma
Hyper: > plasma osmolarity (cell shrink)
Hypo: < plasma osmolarity (cell swell)
Crystalloids (LRS, Norm-R, Plasmalyte, NS, D5W)
Fluid composed of water, small solutes (electrolytes), +/- dextrose & buffers routinely used for healthy anesthetized patients