Introduction - Study Questions

Question 1

Analgesia

Answer 1

Diminished pain perception

Question 2

Tranquilization

Answer 2

State of tranquility and calmness in which the animal is awake, relaxed, and unconcerned about its surroundings
- animal is easily arousable and will respond to painful stimulus

Question 3

Sedation

Answer 3

More profound CNS depression than tranquilization in which the animal is awake, sleepy, but still able to be aroused by stimulation
- minor manipulations can be performed, and aggressive animals may be easier to handle

Question 4

Local analgesia (anesthesia)

Answer 4

Administration of a local anesthetic agent to desensitize a part of the body

• animal is not unconscious if local drugs are the only form of anesthesia provided
• chemical or manual restraint may be necessary to perform local anesthetic technique

Question 5

Regional analgesia (anesthesia)

Answer 5

Type of local anesthesia in which specific nerve blocks are performed to desensitize a certain part of the body

Question 6

General anesthesia

Answer 6

Drug induced, controlled, reversible loss of consciousness and sensation

• patient is not arousable by physical stimulation
• can be produced using either injectable or inhalational agents, or combos of injectable and inhalational techniques

Question 7

Surgical anesthesia

Answer 7

Reversible loss of sensation to all or part of the body

• unconsciousness, analgesia, and hyporeflexia
• administration of drugs that depress the central and/or peripheral nervous systems

Question 8

Dissociative anesthesia

Answer 8

Type of general anesthesia in which the animal is dissociated from its surroundings and unaware of external stimuli

• interrupt neurotransmission between the thalamocortical and limbic areas of the CNS
• animal retains some muscle rigidity (catalepsy), open eyes with palpebral reflexes and somewhat intact swallowing reflexes

Question 9

What are the 5 necessary components of general anesthesia?

Answer 9

• unconsciousness
• amnesia
• analgesia
• immobility
• attenuation of automatic responses to noxious stimuli

Question 10

An animal in Stage 2 would show what kind of signs? Is this animal consciously aware of its environment?

Answer 10

Characterized by delirium or involuntary excitement

Question 11

Up to this point, your sophomore surgery dog has been quite stable at 1.25% isoflurane. However, when the ovarian pedicle is stretched, your dog’s heart rate and respiratory rate increase. This dog is _______

Answer 11

Showing signs of autonomic stimulation

Question 12

Medicine wants to sedate a dog for a percutaneous liver biopsy. Will sedation be sufficient to perform this procedure? Why or why not?

Answer 12

No, liver is a vital organ and risk of patient moving during the procedure and causing damage/hemorrhage is too high

Question 13

When queried further, medicine would prefer the dog to be unconscious, relaxed, analgesic, and nonresponsive to surgical stimulation. What term would best describe their request?

Answer 13

General anesthesia

Question 14

What is the minimum amount of lab data that should be obtained before anesthetizing a young, healthy animal? Why is this information important?

Answer 14

PCV (oxygen-carrying capacity) and TP (oncotic pressure, capacity for fluid administration)

Question 15

Give an example of a type of patient that would be classified with each of the ASA physical status classes 1 through 5

Answer 15

1: healthy patient, elective procedures
2: mild compensated disease, uncomplicated ortho injury
3: traumatized animal with significant fractures/hemorrhage, CHF, moderate hypovolemia
4: GDV, severe toxemia, respiratory distress
5: moribund patient not expected to live more than 24 hrs without surgery

Question 16

What types of abnormalities should be corrected prior to the administration of anesthetic drugs?

Answer 16

Blood, fluid, or electrolyte deficits

- decreases anesthetic risk

Question 17

What are the minimum physical exam findings that the anesthetist should be familiar with before administering anesthetic drugs?

Answer 17

• auscultate the heart and lungs
• note any abnormal cardiac rhythms or murmurs
• palpate a peripheral pulse and record hr
• note any abnormal lung sounds, record rr
• note color of mm and CRT
• evaluate hydration status
• note patients mentation and behavior

Question 18

What information is necessary to formulate an anesthetic care plan?

Answer 18

• patient’s demeanor and baseline health status
• nature of procedure
• means to monitor the patient
• knowledge of potential complications associated with procedure and anesthetics
• means to treat any complications which arise

Question 19

What does the designation “E” denote in a patient’s physical status?

Answer 19

Emergency surgery or anesthetic which must be done immediately regardless of physical status of animal
- added to any of the 5 ASA status’s

Question 20

T/F: During anesthesia, consciousness may not be associated with connectedness, responsiveness, or recall

Answer 20

True

Question 21

A dog which received a severe brain injury following a dog fight is recovering in ICU. Dog is in lateral recumbency, vocalizing, breathing spontaneously, and exhibits various reflexes (corneal and palpebral), but does not respond purposefully to touch or verbal commands. Are these signs of Connectedness, Responsiveness, or Conscious perception?

Answer 21

Conscious perception

• no purposeful movements = no responsiveness
• connectedness?