The Nervous System Drugs for Local and General Anesthesia Flashcards
A patient receives a single intravenous bolus of an anesthetics before surgery.
Which manifestation should indicate that the patient is in stage 2 of general anesthesia?
a) There is hyperactivity or delirium with an irregular heart rate.
b) Sensation is decreased.
c) Cardiopulmonary effects stabilize and eye movements cease.
d) Cardiac and respiratory function diminishes as the patient relaxes.
a) There is hyperactivity or delirium with an irregular heart rate.
A patient is having a cesarean section delivery in which the abdominopelvic region will be desensitized.
Which type of local anesthesia should the nurse expect to be used?
a) Epidural
b) Infiltration
c) Spinal
d) Topical
c) Spinal
A patient will have a procedure requiring several needlesticks.
Which type of anesthesia should the nurse expect to be used?
a) Infiltration
b) Topical
c) Nerve block
d) Intravenous midazolam (Versed)
b) Topical
A patient will be receiving general anesthesia for a surgical procedure.
Which inhaled anesthetic should the nurse expect to be prescribed because of its low metabolism?
a) Nitrous oxide
b) Midazolam (Versed)
c) Remifentanil (Ultiva)
d) Isoflurane (Forane)
d) Isoflurane (Forane)
A patient recovering from general anesthesia asks why it is necessary to take deep breaths.
Which explanation should the nurse provide?
a) “Inhaled general anesthetics are removed by the lungs, so deep breathing helps facilitate that action.”
b) “Deep breathing helps reduce the risk of pulmonary edema.”
c) “Inhaled general anesthetics are metabolized in the cardiovascular system and deep breathing helps the blood circulate faster.”
d) “Aspiration is common during the postoperative phase and deep breathing helps prevent this.”
a) “Inhaled general anesthetics are removed by the lungs, so deep breathing helps facilitate that action.”
A patient reports dizziness and euphoric behavior the last time nitrous oxide was used for dental surgery.
Which type of local anesthesia should the nurse expect to be used instead of inhaled anesthesia?
a) Topical spray
b) Intravenous midazolam (Versed)
c) Infiltration
d) Epidural
c) Infiltration
The nurse is monitoring a patient after receiving general anesthesia.
Which medication should the nurse identify that can cause central nervous system depression?
a) Midazolam
b) Fentanyl (Sublimaze)
c) Propofol (Diprivan)
d) Nitrous oxide
b) Fentanyl (Sublimaze)
A patient is being prepared to receive a local anesthetic.
For which reason should the nurse understand epinephrine is added to the local anesthetic?
a) Increases blood flow to the area being anesthetized
b) Constricts blood vessels to prevent drug toxicity
c) Reduces adverse effects of the anesthetic
d) Extends duration of the anesthetic action
d) Extends duration of the anesthetic action
A patient in labor is being prepared for regional anesthesia.
Which should the nurse explain as the mechanism of action of this anesthesia?
a) “It will cause a loss of sensation in the pelvic region.”
b) “The procedure is called an epidural and it relaxes the pelvic muscles.”
c) “Local pain sensations will be reduced or blocked.”
d) “It will reduce pain sensations throughout the body by relaxing the muscles.”
a) “It will cause a loss of sensation in the pelvic region.”
A patient receives intravenous fentanyl in conjunction with oxygen for a surgical procedure.
For which serious adverse effect should the nurse monitor this patient?
a) Tachycardia
b) Decreased intracranial pressure
c) Central nervous system depression
d) Hypertension
c) Central nervous system depression
A patient is prescribed intravenous preoperative medication.
For which reason should the nurse realize these medications are given?
a) No single drug can be effective in general anesthesia.
b) Less inhaled anesthesia is needed.
c) They allow the patient to be more relaxed during the procedure.
d) They induce all four stages of general anesthesia.
b) Less inhaled anesthesia is needed.
A patient has received neuroleptanalgesia.
Which intervention should the nurse implement during recovery?
a) Monitor for hepatic function.
b) Monitor for convulsions and neurologic dysfunction.
c) Orient to date, time, and place frequently until full consciousness returns.
d) Keep stimuli to a minimum until full consciousness returns.
d) Keep stimuli to a minimum until full consciousness returns.
The nurse is providing postprocedure instructions to a patient who received a local anesthetic.
Which information should the nurse include?
a) “The area may be numb for several hours.”
b) “Take deep breaths as often as possible.”
c) “Shivering is a normal reaction as the anesthetic wears off.”
d) “Do not split or chew transmucosal fentanyl.”
a) “The area may be numb for several hours.”
The nurse notices a postoperative patient shivering in the recovery room.
Which physiological action should the nurse recognize?
a) Depression of central nervous system (CNS) activity
b) Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
c) Recovery of central nervous system (CNS) activity
d) Drastic drop in body temperature
c) Recovery of central nervous system (CNS) activity
A patient is going to receive a local anesthetic.
Which adjunct drug should the nurse expect to be added to the anesthetic to extend its duration of action?
a) Norepinephrine
b) Epinephrine
c) Histamine
d) Midazolam
b) Epinephrine
