General Anaesthesia

Question 1

Advantages of GA

Answer 1

Convenience & practicality
Rapid loss of consciousness
Wide sx field available
Wide vary of procedures can be performed

Question 2

Disadvantages of GA

Answer 2

Req. restraint for induction
- can be stressful 
Req. skilled admin
Continual monitoring
Degree of CV & resp. Depression

Question 3

Advantages of TIVA

Answer 3

Avoids side effects of inhalational agents

Used where inhalational delivery comprimises sx access

Question 4

Duration of action of injectable agents depends on…

Answer 4

Drug redistribution from brain to less well-perfused tissues

Question 5

Advantages of IV route

Answer 5

Rapid admin & onset
Can give incrementally & to effect
Can be combined w/analgesic

Question 6

Disadvantages of IV route

Answer 6

Risk of vascular damage/infection
Restrain req.
Can be stressful
Skill req.

Question 7

Disadvantages of IM route

Answer 7

Slower onset; must be absorbed
Can be painful
Larger does often needed
May be associated w/prolonged recovery

Question 8

Advantages of IM route

Answer 8

Single does given at once
Less restraint req.
Less stressful
Less skill req.

Question 9

Propofol properites

Answer 9

Water soluble phenol derivative
Metabolised by liver
DD CP depression

Question 10

Propofol advantages

Answer 10

Rapid induction & recovery
Generally non-irritant 
- may cause mild pain if inj. Extravascularly
Relatively non-accumulative
Can be combined w/analgesic
- ketamine/opioid

Question 11

Propofol disadvantages

Answer 11

No analgesia alone
May cause post-induction apnoea
Poorly metabolised in cats
- prolonged recovery
May cause bradycardia & hypotension

Question 12

Propofol storage

Answer 12

Immediate disposal if contains no bacteriostat
Room temp; protect from light
Propoflo+ 28days once broached

Question 13

Alfaxalone properties

Answer 13

Steroid anaesthetic
IV/IM admin
DD CP depression

Question 14

Alfaxalone advantages

Answer 14

Rapid & smooth induction
Rapid recovery p; req. prep-med
Rapidly metabolised by liver

Question 15

Alfaxalone disadvantages

Answer 15

May cause post-induction apnoea

May result in excitable recovery w/inadequate pre-med

Question 16

Alfaxalone storage

Answer 16

Single dose vial immediate disposal
Room temp; protect from light
Multi-dose 28 days

Question 17

Ketamine properties

Answer 17

Dissociative anaesthetic 
IV/IM admin
CNR less depressed than w/other agents
Increased HR
Increased salivation
Animal must be pre-meded

Question 18

Ketamine advantages

Answer 18

Contributes to pre-op analgesia
Protective airway reflexes maintained
Minimal resp. Resp effect

Question 19

Ketamine disadvantages

Answer 19

Painful, slow onset if IM
Poor muscle relaxation
- unless combined w/alpha-2
RR moderately reduced
Many cause apneustic breathing pattern

Question 20

Ketamine storage

Answer 20

Room temp; protect from light

Schedule 2 controlled drug

Question 21

Inhalational anaesthesia advantages

Answer 21

Depth can be readily altered
Excretion mainly via lungs
- good for hepatic/renal patients
Allows constant o2 delivery
Allows IPPV (most intubated )

Question 22

Inhalational anaesthesia disadvantages

Answer 22

May be hazardous
Req. anaesthetic equipment
Req. knowledge of circuits & machines
Induction/recovery may be delayed due to lung pathology

Question 23

Isoflurane advantages

Answer 23

Rapid induction & recovery
Good muscle relaxation
Good level of anaesthesia
Does not sensitise heart to arrhythmias

Question 24

Isoflurane disadvantages

Answer 24

Irritant to airways
Hypotension
Resp. Depression

Question 25

Sevoflurane advantages

Answer 25

Rapid induction & recovery
-more so than iso
Non-irritant
Very little liver metabolism

Question 26

Sevolfurane disadvantages

Answer 26

DD hypotension & resp. Depression