Conduct of Anaesthesia Flashcards
What does the process of anaesthesia involve
Pre-operative Assessment Preparation Induction Maintenance Emergence Recovery Post-operative Care and Pain Management
State the drugs which can be used for IV induction
Propofol or thiopentone
State the period of arm-brain circulation
20 seconds
State the agent most commonly used in gas induction
Sevoflurane
State the planes of anaesthesia
Analgesia / Sedation
Excitation
Anaesthesia: Light —> Deep
Overdose
How can conscious level be monitored
Loss of Verbal Contact Movement Respiratory Pattern Processed EEG “Stages” or “planes” of anaesthesia
State the three components of triple airway manoeuvre
Head tilt, chin lift, jaw thrust
State some airway complications (obstruction)
Ineffective Triple Airway Manoeuvre
Airway Device malposition or kinking
Laryngospasm = Laryngeal spasm
What is laryngospasm
Forced reflex adduction of the vocal chords which may result in complete airway obstruction. It is caused by airway stimulation in light planes of anaesthesia
State some aspiration airway complications
Anaesthesia means loss of protective airway reflexes (gag, swallow, cough)
Foreign material in the lower airway
Why intubate?
Protect airway from gastric contents
e.g. full stomach in an unfasted emergency patient
Need for muscle relaxation artificial ventilation
e.g. laparotomy (muscle relaxants are not selective!)
Shared airway with risk of blood contamination
e.g. tonsillectomy in ENT
Need for tight control of blood gases
especially CO2 levels in Neurosurgery
Restricted access to airway
e.g. Maxillo-facial surgery
Describe the steps in the process of awakening
Landing is as hazardous as take-off Muscle relaxation reversed Anaesthetic agents off Resumption of spontaneous respiration Return of airway reflexes / control Extubation Can be very quick or very, very slow
