Pre-Anaesthesia Period Flashcards
What is the definition for anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia is the state of controlled and reversible unconsciousness characterised by lack of pain sensation (analgesia), lack of memory (amnesia) and relatively depressed reflex responses
What is the purposes of anaesthesia?
-prevents pain
-immobilises patients
-facilitates surgery’s by providing muscle relaxation
-maintains patients safety
What is general anaesthesia, and how can it be administered?
-when the patient is unconscious during the procedure
-IV injection
-IM injection
-inhalation
What is local anaesthesia, and how can it be administered?
-allows the patient to remain conscious or can be used in adjunct to GA
-topical
-infiltative
-block
-epidural
-IV regional
What are the 4 components of general anaesthesia?
Pre-anaesthesia - period of fasting, assessment and pre-medication
Induction - administration of anaesthetic agent and intubation
Maintenance - provision of stable level of anaesthesia
Recovery - reversal of induction phase, anaesthetic eliminated from patients system
How can we keep patients safe?
-appropriate pre-anaesthetic assessment and history taking
-accurately weigh patient
-appropriate pre-meds
-double check drug doses
-close monitoring during anaesthesia
-adequate monitoring during recovery
What are nurses 5 obligations for anaesthesia?
-understand drugs being administered
-understand physiology of anaesthetised animal
-understand how to monitor animal adequately
-appropriate and proper use of equipment
-responding to emergencies and asking for help
Why is fasting patients important?
-prevents vomiting and regurgitation during procedure and recovery
-risk of aspiration pneumonia if vomiting occurs
-food in stomach can affect diaphragm function
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What animals are not fasted?
-small mammals such as guinea pigs and rabbits
-young dogs/cats have a shorter fast time, 1 to 2 hours
What is involved during the pre-anaesthetic period?
-fasting
-history and physical examination of animal
-additional diagnostic procedures
-application for supportive measures
-selection of appropriate anaesthetic protocol by VS
-preparation of anaesthetic and surgical equipment
What are the ASA risk categories?
The level or risk assigned according to the patients status
Classed 1 - 5
Describe class 1, with examples?
-minimal risk
-normal healthy animal with no underlying disease
-OVH
-castration
Describe class 2, with examples?
-slight risk
-animal with slight-mild systemic disturbance, able to compensate, and no clinical signs of disease
-neonates or geriatric
-obese
-brachycephalic
Describe class 3, with examples?
-moderate risk
-animal with moderate systemic disease who is not fully compensating
-anaemia
-anorexia
Describe class 4, with examples?
-high risk
-animals with pre-existing systemic disease or disturbance of a severe nature that is a constant threat to life
-severe dehydration
-shock
-sepsis
Describe class 5, with examples?
-extreme risk
-patients not expected to survive more than 24hrs, surgery is performed in desperation or to save a life
-GDV patient
-major trauma
What does the anaesthetic consent form provide?
-consent must be provided by the owner or someone authorised to sign on the owners behalf
-consent to treatment should be obtained unless delay would adversely affect the animals welfare
What does informed consent include?
-a clear understanding of what the procedure involves
-the risks associated with anaesthesia and surgery
-the opportunity to ask questions
-other treatments available
-costs
