Emergency & Critical Care Flashcards
What is the most common cause of anesthetic emergencies?
Human errors
Other causes include equipment problems, adverse effects of agents, and increased patient risk.
List the four main causes of anesthetic emergencies.
- Human errors
- Equipment problems
- Adverse effects of agents
- Increased patient risk
Each of these factors can contribute to the likelihood of an emergency occurring during anesthesia.
True or False: Equipment problems are the most common cause of anesthetic emergencies.
False
Human errors are identified as the most common cause.
Fill in the blank: The most common cause of anesthetic emergencies is _______.
Human errors
What role do adverse effects of agents play in anesthetic emergencies?
They are one of the causes of anesthetic emergencies
Adverse effects can arise from the anesthetic agents used during procedures.
What are 3 things to watch for with obese pets?
- Dose based on ideal weight
- Harder time breathing
- Avoid dorsal
What is one thing you should do with brachycephalic breeds post-surgery that is a little different from everyone else?
Leave ET tube in as long as possible… until they are almost chewing on it
Why are sighthounds so sensitive to drugs?
Many of the drugs we use are metabolized/stored with fat therefore low body fat is the main reason
What is a key consideration when dealing with an underlying CVS disease?
Keep a close eye on fluid rate to prevent overhydration
Overhydration can occur because the heart is not pumping effectively.
What should be monitored to prevent signs of overhydration?
Listen to the patient’s lungs and watch for any signs of overhydration
This is crucial as heart function may be compromised.
What is one action to take for a patient with respiratory disease before surgery?
Radiographs to examine the chest and heart
This helps assess the patient’s respiratory status.
What is an important method to minimize stress in a pre-op patient?
Keep the environment calm, such as placing a loud dog in a separate room
Reducing stress is vital for better surgical outcomes.
What should be done to ensure adequate oxygenation before surgery?
Preoxygenate the patient
This helps to improve oxygen levels prior to anesthesia.
What type of drug protocol should be used for patients with respiratory disease?
A protocol that will not increase respiratory depression
This is critical to maintain respiratory function during surgery.
Fill in the blank: We need to be _______ when preparing for surgery on a patient with respiratory disease.
PREPARED!
Being prepared includes having a plan for potential complications.
Why is hepatic disease an issue when dealing with anesthesia?
Drug metabolism and blood-clotting factors
The liver plays a crucial role in the detoxification and metabolism of anesthetic drugs.
What is a common postoperative issue associated with hepatic disease?
Longer recovery time
Patients with hepatic disease often experience prolonged effects from anesthesia, leading to extended recovery periods.
True or False: Hepatic disease can affect the metabolism of anesthetic drugs.
True
Impaired liver function can lead to altered drug metabolism, affecting anesthesia management.
Why is it very important to do PAB on a blocked cat prior to administering any sedation?
Blocked cats can lead to kidney damage, as the kidneys filter drugs and work with the liver to metabolize drugs and maintain electrolyte balance.
Hyperkalemia in these patients can lead to cardiac arrest.
What can happen to blocked cats depending on how long they have been blocked?
They can experience kidney damage.
Kidney damage occurs because kidneys are responsible for filtering drugs and maintaining homeostasis.
What is a significant risk for very hyperkalemic patients?
They can go into cardiac arrest.
Hyperkalemia refers to elevated potassium levels, which can affect heart function.
What is one thing that is done differently for C-sections pre-op compared to other procedures?
Do as much as possible prior to any sedation being given.
This approach benefits both the mother and the young by minimizing drug exposure.
What are some pre-operative actions that can be taken for C-sections before sedation?
Shave belly, place IV catheter, pre-oxygenate.
These actions help prepare the mother for surgery while reducing the need for sedation.
What should be checked to ensure proper anesthesia during surgery?
Vaporizer, % level of agent, oxygen levels, ET tube placement, rebreathing bag movement
These checks help monitor the anesthetic state of the animal.
