POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF ANESTHESIA

Question 1

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF ANESTHESIA

Answer 1

. Excitement
. Respiratory obstruction
. Bronchospasm - small airway constriction
. Laryngospasm – vocal cord spasm (during induction and emergence)
. Aspiration
. Vomiting
. Damage to teeth or dental work
. Eye injury
. Reaction to drugs or blood transfusions
. Injury to nerves
. Fluid & electrolyte imbalance
. Hypothermia
. Shock
. Cerebral complications
. Cardiac arrest or arryhthmias
. Malignant hyperthermia
. Hypoxia

Question 2

Vomiting

Answer 2

• turn patient’s head or whole body to one side to lessen risk of aspiration; if possible, tilt head in Trendelenburg position

Question 3

Aspiration

Answer 3

• of stomach contents or blood into the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia

Question 4

Eye injury

Answer 4

• due to drying or pressure from positioning

Question 5

Shock

Answer 5

• allergic reactions, loss of blood (hypovolemia), reaction to anesthetic agent may cause lowered blood pressure

Question 6

Cerebral complications

Answer 6

• CVA (cerebrovascular accident or stroke), delirium

Question 7

Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias

Answer 7

• manipulation of the heart, drug administration, poor oxygenation, hypoventilation, or the anesthetic agent may cause cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest

Question 8

Hypoxia

Answer 8

• this is a condition in which the oxygen concentration in blood is low or inadequate