Patient Preparation Flashcards
Why do we starve patients?
- Reduce risk of regurgitation
- Full stomach can increase pressure on diaphragm, reducing lung volume
How long should cats and dogs be starved for food and water?
- Food: 6-8 hours
- Water: 2-4 hours
Why are rabbits not allowed to be starved?
- Increased risk if ileus
- Unable to vomit
How long do we starve puppies and kittens 6-12 weeks and complications?
- 2-3 hours prior
- High risk of hypoglycemia
How long do we starve puppies and kittens under 6 weeks and complications?
- Do not starve
- Regurgitation due to immature cardiac (oesophageal) sphincter
- Greater risk of hypoglycemia
How long should Guinea pigs be starved and why?
- 2 hours prior to surgery
- Can hold food in their pharynx
Possible complications of prolonged starving?
- Increased risk of gastric ulcerations and gastro-oesophagael reflux
- Oesophagitis
Aspiration of stomach acid can lead to what?
Pulmonary Acid Aspiration Syndrome
What is Pulmonary Acid Aspiration Syndrome (PAAS)?
Aspiration of stomach
Pulmonary Acid Aspiration Syndrome (PAAS) causes? (5 answers)
- Chemical pneumonia
- Alveolar oedema
- Increased airway resistance
- Hypoxia
- Atelecatasis (Collapse of lung tissue)
Why is special care needed with geriatric patients? (3 answers)
- Risk of reflux due to decrease in cardiac sphincter tone
- PAAS due to reduced gastric mobility
- Increased acid production
Why is special care needed with brachycephalic patients? (2 answers)
- BOAS
- High risk of regurgitation and reflux
What are Shar-Pei’s predisposed condition?
Haiatal Hernia
Why is special care needed when starving lactating animals? (2 answers)
- Increased risk of hypocalcaemia
- High demands of feeding young
Why is special care needed with emergency patients?
- Usually are not starved
- Increased risk of aspiration and regurgitation
In emergency situations what can be done to reduce aspiration risks? (2 answers)
- Elevate head and neck
- Ventral/Sternal positioning
In emergency situations when there is regurgitation what can be done?
Lower the head below the level of the body to allow the gastric contents to flow out of the mouth
Why is special care needed with Diaphragmatic rupture? (2 answers)
- High risk of regurgitation and aspiration
- Lung tissue may already be damaged
Aspiration of gastric acid increases risk of mortailty
Why is there a high risk of regurgitation and aspiration with a cesarean patient? (5 answers)
- Crainial displacement of stomach
- Increased intragastic pressure
- Reduced cardiac sphincter tone
- Reduced gastric motility and delayed gastric emptying
- Increased gastric acid secretions due to high levels of gastrin
What is Gastrin?
Gastrin is hormone released during pregnancy into the bloodstream by the stomach in response to the presence of food. It stimulates secretion of gastric liquids.
