Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Veterinary Nursing VN06 > Principles of veterinary anaesthesia > Flashcards

Principles of veterinary anaesthesia Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Nursing Pharmacology flashcards NCLEX-RN® flashcards Nursing Mental Health flashcards Nursing Fundamentals flashcards Nursing Safety & Infection flashcards Nursing Adult Health flashcards NCLEX-PN® flashcards Nursing Management of Care flashcards Nursing Pediatrics flashcards Nursing Maternity flashcards
1
Q

Which cavity is the brain located in?

A

The cranial cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the function of the brain?

A

To control and coordinate all the functions of a normal, healthy body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What different types of nervous tissue exist in the CNS?

A

The tissue may be white matter or grey matter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is grey matter?

A

A type of brain tissue that is normally centred in the cerebellum, medulla, and spinal cord. It contains areas of the neuron which are not covered in fat, so it is not white.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is white matter?

A

Brain tissue that contains a high amount of myelinated fat. Usually found at the neuron’s axon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the hindbrain associated with?

A

Hearing, balance and taste

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the forebrain associated with?

A

Smell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the midbrain associated with?

A

Sight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the components of the forebrain?

A

The telencephalon (the cerebrum), and the diencephalon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the cerebrum?

A

An area of the forebrain that is involves with voluntary movement, senses and memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the diencephalon?

A

An area of the forebrain which is made up of three parts - the hypothalamus, the thalamus, and the epithalamus. They are all involved in circadian rhythms, and have control over endocrine functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the three parts of the diencephalon?

A

The hypothalamus, the thalamus, and the epithalamus. It also contains the posterior and anterior pituitary glands.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Where is the pineal gland found?

A

In the epithalamus, which is part of the diencephalon, which is in the forebrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which part of the brain is the optic nerve associated with?

A

The diencephalon in the forebrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the function of the pineal gland?

A

Related to stimulation during daylight. It helps to produce melanin and changes throughout the seasons and oestrus cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is another name for the midbrain?

A

The mesecephalon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Where is the tegmentum?

A

The midbrain/mesencephalon. It is the main core of the midbrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the tegmentum associated with?

A

Vision, hearing, motor control, alertness and thermoregulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the hind brain comprised of?

A

The cerebellum, medulla oblongata and the pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the general functions of the hindbrain?

A

Involved with complicated movements of the body, control of circulation and awareness of surroundings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What parts of the brain are involved in the control of respiration?

A

The medulla oblongata and the pons in the hindbrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

A

For CNS involvement with balance and coordination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the main cell of the nervous system?

A

The neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the function of a neuron?

A

To conduct a nerve impulse from one area to another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What does the function of the nervous system depend on?

A

The passage of electrical impulses (known as nerve impulses) to and from all parts of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the different components of a neuron?

A

The soma, the dendrites, the axon hillock, the myelinated sheath, the Schwann cells and the axon terminals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Where does the axon of each neuron eventually terminate?

A

The synapse, or synaptic cleft

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is the function of a synapse?

A

To transmit a nerve impulse from one neuron to another, or from a neuron to a muscle fibre at a neuromuscular junction, to bring about muscle contraction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the most common neurotransmitter?

A

Acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are some examples of neurotransmitters?

A

Dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin, acetylocholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

A

12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the longest cranial nerve?

A

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve 10)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Which of the cranial nerves give only sensory (afferent) fibres?

A

These come from an organ to the brain - olfactory, optic, and vestibulocochlear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Which of the cranial nerves give only motor (efferent) fibres?

A

Oculomotor, trochlear, abducens, facial, accessory, hypoglossal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the mixed cranial nerves?

A

Trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, vagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Name the cranial nerves from 1-12

A

Olfactory
Optic
Oculomotor
Trochlear
Trigeminal
Abducens
Facial
Vestibulocochlear
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
Spinal accessory
Hypoglossal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the function of the olfactory nerve?

A

Carries the sense of smell from the olfactory bulb to the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is the function of the optic nerve?

A

Carries information about sight from the eyes to both sides of the brain via the optic chiasma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is the optic chiasma?

A

The point of the brain where the optic nerves cross

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What is the function of the oculomotor nerve?

A

Supplies the extrinsic muscles of the eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is the function of the trochlear nerve?

A

Supplies the extrinsic muscles of the eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is the function of the trigeminal nerve?

A

Carries sensory fibres from the skin around the face and eyes and motor fibres to the muscles of mastication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What is the function of the facial nerve?

A

Supplies the muscles of facial expressions including those associated with the movement of the lips, ears, and skin around the eyes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What is the function of the abducens nerve?

A

Supplies the extrinsic muscles of the eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is the function of the vestibulocochlear nerve?

A

Has two branches: the vestibular and cochlear:
Vestibular branch - controls the balance from the semicircular canals
Cochlear branch - controls the hearing from the cochlea

46
Q

What is the function of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

A

Carries the sensation of taste

47
Q

What is the function of the vagus nerve?

A

Carries sensory fibred from the pharynx and larynx. Supplies motor fibres to the muscles of the larynx. Also has parasympathetic visceral motor fibres to the heart and various thoracic and abdominal

48
Q

What is the function of the spinal accessory nerve?

A

Supplies the muscles of the neck and the shoulder

49
Q

What is the function of the hypoglossal nerve?

A

Supplies the muscles of the tongue

50
Q

What is the ventricular system?

A

Similar to an interconnecting rooms/tunnel. It is a system of interconnecting cavities

51
Q

What is the ventricle linked to the hindbrain?

A

The 4th ventricle

52
Q

What is the ventricle linked to the midbrain?

A

Cerebral aqueduct

53
Q

What is the ventricle linked to the forebrain?

A

Ventricles 1-3

54
Q

What are the ventricles of the brain filled with?

A

Cerebrospinal fluid

55
Q

Where is CSF found?

A

In the ventricles of the brain, the central canal of the spinal cord and bathing the outer surface of the brain

56
Q

What is CSF secreted by?

A

The choroid plexuses, within the ventricles of the brain. The majority is secreted by the choroid plexus in the 4th ventricle of the brain

57
Q

What is cerebrospinal fluid?

A

Clear, quite viscous fluid that resembles plasma. It is an example of a transcellular fluid

58
Q

What is the function of CSF?

A
  • protects the brain and the spinal cord by acting like a shock absorber, especially for blunt trauma
  • provides nutrients for neurons
59
Q

Where does excess CSF collect?

A

In the cisterna magna, at the base of the skull

60
Q

What is the dura mater?

A

The ‘outer layer’ of the meninges - means ‘ tough mother’ in Latin. It is the tough, fibrous layer

61
Q

What does loss of CSF cause?

A

An increase in intracranial pressure - CSF samples should be taken via spinal tap and can be done with no problem

62
Q

What are the meniges?

A

The membranes that surround the CNS. There are three layers of them: the dura mater, the arachnoid layer, and the pia mater

63
Q

What are the three layers of the meninges?

A

The dura mater, the arachnoid layer, and the pia mater

64
Q

What is the arachnoid layer?

A

The middle layer of the meninges - a network of collagen fibres and large blood vessels. Between this and the dura mater is the subdural space. Below the arachnoid layer is the subarachnoid space, which is filled with CSF

65
Q

What is the pia mater?

A

The inner layer of the meninges. Means ‘sweet/gentle’ in Latin. A fine membrane closely applied to the brain following the gyri and sulci (the ridges and grooves of the brain respectively).

66
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system?

A

A component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiological processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal.

67
Q

What are the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Parasympathetic, sympathetic, and enteric

68
Q

What is the sympathetic nervous system? What does it control?

A

It contains afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) fibres that provide input to the CNS. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system activates the ‘fight or flight’ response. It promotes active responses - blood pressure and heart rate increases, glycogenolysis ensues and gastrointestinal peristalsis ceases.

69
Q

What is the parasympathetic nervous system? What does it control?

A

Promotes the ‘rest and digest’ processes - heart rate and blood pressure lower, gastrointestinal peristalsis restarts

70
Q

What is the enteric nervous system?

A

A section of the autonomic nervous system, it can function independently of the remainder of the nervous system. It is chiefly responsible for the regulation of digestive processes. It controls muscle functions including contraction/relaxation, secretion/absorption, and blood flow

71
Q

What are some characteristics of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A
  • constricts pupils
  • stimulates salivary glands
  • slows heart rate
  • constricts bronchi
  • stimulates stomach and intestines and bile release
  • contracts bladder
72
Q

What are some characteristics of the sympathetic nervous system?

A
  • dilates pupils
  • inhibits salivary glands
  • accelerates heart rate
  • dilates bronchi
  • converts glycogen to glucose for immediate energy
73
Q

What is the somatic nervous system?

A

Contains both afferent and efferent nerves. The main function of the somatic nervous system is to connect the CNS with organs and striated muscle to perform daily functions

74
Q

What is the somatic reflex arc?

A

These are the neural pathways that are responsible for the automatic response between a sensory and motor neuron. Sensory information is processed and creates a motor response - an example of this is a pain response, or the patellar reflex

75
Q

What is the triad of anaesthesia?

A

It has 3 constituent parts:
- analgesia
- immobility/loss of consciousness
- muscle relaxation (complete loss of function)

76
Q

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

A

The main function of the somatic nervous system is to connect the CNS with organs and striated muscle to perform daily functions

77
Q

Between which vertebrae is an epidural given?

A

Between L7 and S1 - the patient must be anaesthetised for this.

78
Q

What is the process for spinal anaesthesia?

A

Also called an epidural - it is a form of regional anaesthesia. Injected using a large spinal needle, it is used to relax the muscles of the hind limbs and deaden any pain. The animal must be anaesthetised for this.

79
Q

What are some of the risks of sedation?

A

Generally there is less support available for cardiovascular and respiratory systems, particularly in respect to control of the airway. GA vs sedation should be considered holistically

80
Q

What is dissociative anaesthesia? Give an example

A

A state in which the patient is less aware of what is happening around them - drugs in this category produce a feeling of detachment from the environment
An example is ketamine

81
Q

What is dissociative anaesthesia categorised by?

A

4 aspects:
- catalepsy
- catatonia
- analgesia
- amnesia

82
Q

Define CATALEPSY

A

Trance with rigidity - it is one of the characteristics of dissociative anaesthesia

83
Q

Define CATATONIA

A

Disruption of how the patient perceives the world around them. It is one of the characteristics of dissociative anaesthesia

84
Q

Define AMNESIA

A

Memory loss - it is one of the characteristics of dissociative anaesthesia

85
Q

Which reflexes do patients retain when under dissociative anaesthesia?

A

Pharyngeal, laryngeal, corneal, palpebral, swallowing. This means they may not need to be intubated, however there is more limited support for the patient.

86
Q

Define a NOCICEPTOR

A

A sensory receptor that responds to pain or noxious stimuli

87
Q

What is the pain pathway?

A

The nerve impulse that is produced and sent to the brain when a noxious stimuli is detected

88
Q

What are the stages of the pain pathway?

A
  1. The nociceptors translate the information into an electrical signal, like a message. This is TRANSDUCTION
  2. The signal is then passed up different nerves fibres (called A delta or C fibres) to the spinal cord. This is TRANSMISSION
  3. When the signal reaches the dorsal horn in the spinal cord a decision is made whether to pass the message to the brain or not. This is MODULATION
  4. Once the message arrives at the brain, perception occurs
89
Q

At what stage of the pain pathway does local anaesthesia interrupt?

A

Transmission level, so the second part of the pathway

90
Q

Define ALLODYNIA

A

A pain response to something that isn’t normally painful

91
Q

Define HYPERALGESIA

A

Excessive pain responses - increased sensitivity to pain

92
Q

Define BASAL NARCOSIS

A

Unconsciousness, usually associated with opioid induction prior to GA

93
Q

Define the BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER

A

The semipermeable membrane that separates the brain from general blood flow. Anaesthetic drugs must be able to pass over it to be effective

94
Q

Define NEUROLEPTANALGESIA

A

The combination of an antipsychotic (e.g. phenothiazines such as ACP) and opioid analgesia

95
Q

Define a PREMEDICANT

A

A precursor sedation prior to induction to GA.

96
Q

What is cardiac output?

A

The volume of blood pumped from each ventricle per minute
Stroke volume of the heart (amount in ml pushed out per stroke) x heart rate

97
Q

What is anatomical dead space?

A

Anywhere within the body where gaseous exchange does not take place

98
Q

What is mechanical dead space?

A

Excess length in equipment (e.g. circuits and ET tubes) that increases the total amount of dead space

99
Q

Define HYPOCAPNIA

A

Not enough CO2 in the blood. Patient will be hyperventilating. Results in increased blood pH and respiratory alkalosis

100
Q

What are some of the causes of hypocapnia?

A
  • hypercapnia (may be due to pain or positioning)
  • hypothermia
  • hypoxaemia
  • poor perfusion (decreased cardiac output, hypotension)
  • inadequate gas sample size (very small patient)
101
Q

Define HYPERCAPNIA

A

Elevated levels of CO2 in the blood. Lowers pH and results in respiratory acidosis

102
Q

What are some of the causes of hypercapnia?

A
  • hypoventilation
  • hyperthermia
  • exhausted CO2 absorbent
  • airway obstruction
  • excessive dead space
103
Q

Define HYPERVENTILATION

A

High respiratory rate. Can lead to hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis

104
Q

Define HYPOVENTILATION

A

Low respiratory rate -shorter ad usually shallower. Leads to hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis

105
Q

Define HYPOTHERMIA and HYPERTHERMIA

A

Low and high patient body temperature

106
Q

Define a HYPNOTIC

A

‘To sleep’
The primary function of a hypnotic drug is to induce sleep for anaesthesia

107
Q

Define HYPOXIA

A

Low levels of oxygen perfusing into tissue

108
Q

Define HYPERTENSION/HYPOTENSION

A

Elevated blood pressure/low blood pressure

109
Q

Define HYPOXAEMIA

A

Low oxygen levels in the blood - can lead to hypoxia

110
Q

Define TIDAL VOLUME

A

The volume of air moved in/out of the lungs in a single breath

111
Q

Define MINUTE VOLUME

A

The volume of gas breathed in/out in a single minute

Veterinary Nursing VN06 (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions