Postanesthetic Management Flashcards
What are the elements of a post anesthesia assessment?
- Respiratory Function
- Cardiovascular Function
- Neuromuscular Function
- Mental Status
- Core Temperature
- Pain
- Post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
- •Hydration, bleeding, drainage, urine output
What is the origin of the Aldrete Scoring System?
First described in 1970, although not originally designed for ambulatory patients – later modified with the advent of pulse oximetry
What isthe scoring for Aldrete Scoring System?
Assigns a score of 0, 1 or 2 to activity, respiration, circulation, neurologic status, and oxygen saturation with a maximal score of 10
What is the Aldrete Scoring System needed for transfer?
A score of 9 indicates sufficient recovery for transfer
What are the components of the Aldrete Scoring System?
- Activity
- Respiration
- Circulation
- Consciousness
- Oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry
Review the Aldrete Scoring System.
Review N&P.
Box 55.4
What is true about Activity/Consciousness?
A patient’s intra-operative course may affect post-operative activity
What can affect Activity/Consciousness?
- Type of surgery
- Neuromuscular function
- Pain/Opioid therapy
What is something that can affect activity sfter surgery?
- Dressings/Splints/Casts Regional Anesthesia
What can affect neuromuscular function?
- Beware of patients who have been paralyzed intra-operatively.
- Sedation/amnesic properties of the anesthetic may be wearing off.
What is true about patients who are not moving?
Just because patients are not moving, does not mean they won’t hear what is being said around them.
What can occur if patients are not adequately reversed?
Residual muscle relaxation if not adequately reversed:
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory distress
- Aspiration
How can pain be managed?
Pain can be managed with intrathecal, epidural, regional or intravenous medication
What is important to do with pain therapy?
- Always safer to titrate small amounts
- Be mindful of treating pain in the PACU and walking away (PACU nurse may be distracted with other patient, alarms on?)
Keep in mind patients are more sensitive to opioids within the ______ after GA
first hour
What is a safer approach to Pain/Opioid Therapy?
Consider a multi modal approach
What is the dose of Fentanyl?
For acute pain, usually 25-50 mcg with repeating doses for effect
What is the onset of Fentanyl?
2-5 minutes (peak effect at CNS 3.6 min)
When can maximum respiratory depression with Fentanyl seen?
Max respiratory depression usually not seen for about 20 minutes
When can delayed repiratory depression with Fentanyl be seen?
Delayed respiratory depression with epidural or spinal opioids seen approx 12-24 hrs after administration
What is the treatment for Pain and Narcotization?
- Time and supportive breathing measures
- T-piece, CPAP/BiPAP, etc.
What medication can be given pain medication overdose?
Narcan/Naloxone
What is the elimination half time of Narcan/Naloxone?
60-90 mins (Flood)
What is the duration of Narcan/Naloxone?
30-45 mins (Flood)
What is an effect of fentanyl?
first pass uptake into lungs (reservoir): can result in prolonged duration of analgesia and respiratory depression with repeated dosing Also undergoes a secondary peak of plasma level (up to 4 hours)
What is true with opioids with long half life?
If using opioids with a long half-life, narcan may metabolize before the opioid leading to re-narcotization
What is the respiratory/oxygen saturation complications? (9)
- Hypoventilation
- Obstruction (partial or complete)
- Laryngospasm
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Glottic edema
- Bronchospasm
- Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema
- Aspiration
- Pulmonary embolus
What is the most common respiratory complication?
Hypoventilation - Most commonly caused by residual anesthetic agents effects on respiratory drive
What are causes of hypoventilation?
- Opioids
- Muscle relaxants or inadequate reversal
- Hypothermia
- Metabolic disorders
- Surgical issues (Pain/splinting)
Who is at the greatest risk of hypoventilation?
Large abdominal incision, thoracic procedure, underlying pulmonary disease, smoker, advanced age, obesity, length of anesthetic
What is the first stage of hypoventilation?
Stage 1: Initial tachycardia and hypertension with desaturation secondary to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system
What is the 2nd stage of hypoventilation?
Stage 2: Bradycardia and hypotension ensue as the myocardium becomes depressed
What is the mental changes associated with hypoventilation?
- Initial agitation then somnolence
- PaCO2 >80mmHg causing a decrease in CSF pH
What is needed for hypoventilation?
- Action is needed immediately
- Address the cause, secure an airway, provide supplemental O2
What is a tissue obstruction?
Tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx when the patient is unable to protect their own airway
What are interventions for tissue obstruction?
- Jaw thrust
- Repositioning
- Nasal airway
What is laryngospasm?
An uncontrolled/involuntary muscular contraction of the vocal cords
What is causes of laryngospams?
Airway trauma, repeated instrumentation, stimulation to cords from secretions (blood or mucous)
What are interventions for laryngospasms?
- Jaw thrust
- Positive pressure ventilations in an attempt to open cords
- Succinylcholine +/- 20mg (Prepare to ventilate and possibly intubate)
What is the larson’s maneuver?
a jaw thrust with bilateral pressure on the body of the mandible anterior to the mastoid process
What surgeries can cause Vocal Cord Paralysis?
Thyroid surgery, Carotid endarterectomy, Spinal surgery in the neck (anterior cervical diskectomy), Mediastinoscopy, Esophagectomy, Cardiac surgery (especially aortic valve surgery), Lung surgery (usually only on the left), Repair of aortic aneurysms in the chest, Thymectomy, Brain surgery for aneurysm or tumor
What needs to be done with suspected Vocal Cord Paralysis prior to extubation?
Phonation after extubation
- “E”
- Consider reintubation quickly
What is Glottic Edema?
A swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the soft tissues of the larynx
What are causes of Glottic Edema?
The condition, usually inflammatory, may result from an infection, injury, allergy, or inhalation of toxic substances.
What are the s/s of Glottic Edema?
stridor, hoarseness, and dyspnea.
What is the treatment for Glottic Edema?
Nebulized racemic Epi 2.25% 0.5-0.75ml in 3ml NSS
Define bronchospasm.
Reversible narrowing of the medium and small airways because of smooth muscle contractions
What are causes of bronchospasm?
Vagal afferent stimulus in bronchi related to histamine, or noxious stimulation such as physical stimulation, cold air, inhaled irritants (e.g. inhalational anesthetics)
What are the s/s of bronchospasms?
Wheezing, hypoventilation, hypercarbia
What is the treatment of Bronchospasm?
FiO2 to 100%, remove stimulant, beta agonists, IV decadron & aminophylline
What is the occurence of Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema?
9:1,000 Anesthetics
Where does Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema most commonly occur?
Most common etiology in PACU
What are the causes of Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema?
Can follow laryngospasm, biting on ETT, premature extubation followed by airway obstruction against a closed glottis
What occurs with Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema?
- Dramatic increase in negative intrapleural pressure
- Creates a high negative hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary interstitium
- Increases venous return and hydrostatic pressure within the pulmonary vasculature
- Causes fluid shifts and pulmonary edema
What is the treatment of Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema?
- Continue or re-establish positive pressure ventilation
- Usually resolves within 24 hour
- AVOID airway obstructions!
What medications can be given for Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema?
- Gentle diuresis with low dose furosemide
- Steroids may be beneficial
Define aspiration.
Inhalation of gastric content into the tracheobronchial tree
What are the causes of Aspiration?
Active vomiting, passive regurgitation, patient unable to protect their airway