Recovery Flashcards
Why is the recovery phase of anaesthesia dangerous?
Less physiological support, less monitoring, delayed problems from the surgery
Outline four common recovery related problems..
Hypothermia, emergence delirium, hypoxaemia, hypo/hypertension
What causes hypothermia during anaesthesia?
Drugs (vasodilators/ reduce thermoregulation), clipping, surgical spirit, open body cavity
What are the physiological consequences of hypothermia?
Reduced MAC requirements
Increased risk of arrhythmia
Delayed recovery
Shivering - increases oxygen consumption and demand
Reduces wound healing
Outline some techniques used to reduce hypothermia during anaesthesia.
Heat pads
Forced air blankets
Flush body cavities with warmed fluids
REMEMBER - there is a burning risk!
What is meant by emergence delirium?
Sate of dissociation of consciousness where the patient is incoherent, in cosolable, irritable and uncooperative.
Slef limiting
5 - 15 minutes
Could put handler at risk
How can emergence dilerium be prevented/ treated?
Reduce external stimulation (light and noise)
Chemical/ physical restraint
Ensure adequate analgesia
How can you differenciate between emergence delirium and a seizure?
Animals with seizures rarely vocalise and display seizure-like muscle activity. ED often show uncoordinated attempts to get away.
What can cause hypoxaemia during anaesthesia?
Airway obstruction
Inadequate ventilation (too deep or painful)
Poor gas exchange - pneumonia, congested lung
Describe the clinical signs associated with hypoxaemia.
- cyanotic mm
- tachy/ dyspnoea
- stertor/ stridor
- Reduced consciousness
Name some treatment techniques used to treat hypoxaemia.
How can it be prevented?
- Ensure patent airway
- Ventilation
- Oxygen
- Analgesia - if it is due to pain
Prevention - Only extubate when the animal can protect its own airway, extend neck, straighten head, tongue forward, monitor for clinical signs, provide oxygen
How can hyper/hypotension be prevented during anaesthesia?
Fluid therapy
Vasoactive drugs
How could you treat gastric reflux in a dog/cat ?
Check ET tube cuff
Flush oesophagus until clear fluid is seen
Keep head of dog down and allow passive drainage
Name and describe two potential problems associated with anaesthesia seen in cats.
Tracheal tear/ rupture - overinflation of the ET tube cuff
Blindness - cerebral ischemia due to hypotension or altered blood flow (mouth gag)
Name three potential complications of anaesthesia in the horse.
Colic
Myopathy/ neuropathy
Fracture
