Types of anaesthesia & ASA grading

Question 1

General anaesthesia

Answer 1

Method of medically inducing a loss of consciousness

Question 2

Epidural

Answer 2

Pain control by injecting the drug into the epidural space

Question 3

Regional

Answer 3

Blocking sensation and pain in an area of the body

Question 4

Local anaesthesia

Answer 4

Absence of all sensation in a specific body part

Question 5

Topical

Answer 5

Aims to numb the surface of the body

Question 6

Properties of anaesthesia

Answer 6

1. Surgical and medical procedures
2. Control pain
3. Restrain fractious patients
4. Facilitate exam by immobilising patient
5. Control status epilepticus
6. To perform euthanasia
7. Transportation
8. Orthopaedic exam and manipulation
9. Airway management

Question 7

Criteria for selecting drugs

Answer 7

• Species, breed, age, weight, body type
• Physical status and coexisting disease
• Nature, location and severity of pain
• Current and past medications
• Knowledge and experience of personnel
• Familiarity with available equipment and techniques
• Duration and type of procedure to be performed

Question 8

ASA 1

Answer 8

• Normal healthy patient
• Minimal risk
• e.g. castrate

Question 9

ASA 2

Answer 9

• Patient with mild systemic disease
• Slight risk
• e.g. neonate or geriatric

Question 10

ASA 3

Answer 10

• Patient with obvious systemic disease
• Moderate risk
• e.g. anaemia, low grade cardiac disease

Question 11

ASA 4

Answer 11

• Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat of life
• High risk
• e.g. shock, uncontrolled diabetes

Question 12

ASA 5

Answer 12

• Patient is not expected to survive without operation
• Extreme risk
• e.g. severe trauma, profound shock