General anaesthetics Flashcards
What is the literal meaning of anaesthesia?
an - a lack of, aisthesis - feeling, perception, sensation.
What is required from anaesthetic?
Abolition of sensation, abolition of pain, “triad of general anesthesia”- unconsciousness, analgesia, muscle relaxation.
What are the characteristics of a general anaesthetic?
Stable, potent, non-toxic, controllable, they have to be rapid on and off, adjustable, minimal cardio-depressant, minimal respitatory depressant, non-irritant.
What are the stages of anaesthesia?
Analgesia, excitement, anaesthesia and medullary paralysis.
What is involved in the first stage of analgesia?
Analgesia - Conscious, drowsy, antinociception and amnesia.
What is involved in the second stage of anaesthesia?
Excitement - Loss of consciousness but delirium, irregular cardio-respiration, apnea, spasticity, gagging, vomiting.
What is involved in the third stage of anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia - Regular respiration, loss of reflex and muscle tone.
What is involved in the fourth stage of anaesthesia?
Medullary paralysis - Depression of cardio-respiration and death.
What are the two main classifications of general anaesthetics?
Inhalation and intravenous.
What are the two types of inhaled anaesthetics?
Gas and liquid.
What are the 4 types of intravenous anaesthetics?
Inducing agent, dissociative, analgesia and sedative relaxant.
What are the features of inhaled anaesthetics?
Inhaled anaesthetics are controllable and have rapid blood-gas exchange. They are usually halogenated ethers or hydrocarbons and are stable and potent.
What are the features of intravenous anaesthetics?
They are injected, they are rapid and short acting and cause induction or anaesthesia.
What are some of the combined approaches used in surgical anaesthesia?
Rapid unconsciousness with IV, maintaining unconsciousness using inhalation agents such as N2O, supplement analgesia such as fentanyl and paralysis such as a neuromuscular block such as succinylcholine.
What are some commonly used inhaled anaesthetics?
Ether, N2O, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane.
What are some commonly used intravenous anaesthetics?
Thiopental, etomidate, propofol, ketamine and midazolam and other benzodiaepines.