vet anaesthesia

Question 1

first attempts at serious anaesthesia 1840s

Answer 1

nitrous oxide, ether, chloroform

Question 2

3 reasons for anaesthesia

Answer 2

• asleep
• relaxed muscles,
• free of pain and fear

Question 3

all anaesthetic drugs have

Answer 3

side effects

Question 4

whats the death rate due to anaesthesia

Answer 4

• humans 1 in 200 000
• cats and dogs 1 in 2000
• horses 1 in 100
• lab animals 1 in 32

Question 5

reasons death rate is so high in horses

Answer 5

• high centre of gravity and high body mass –> bad falls
• problems w ventilation of the lungs, sloping diaphragm
• cardiovascular system depression
• myositis (muscle inflammation)
• excitement when half awake leads to injury

Question 6

what do we do for horse anaesthesia to help

Answer 6

• relax patient
• rapid induction
• small padded room
• assisted descent to floor
• monitor perfusion of blood and ventilation of the lungs and treat
• small dose of sedation as they wake up
• keep down time to a minimum

Question 7

balanced anaesthesia

Answer 7

• low doses of multiple drugs each targeting specific components

Question 8

analgesics

Answer 8

pain relief, often used before surgery

Question 9

anaesthetic drugs

Answer 9

cause patient to lose consciousness

Question 10

vets role in anaesthesia

Answer 10

• history from owner
• pre exam
• prep, operation and maintenance of anaesthesia equipment
• prep of drugs
• monitoring and reacting
• post monitoring too

Question 11

history

Answer 11

• get as much info
• previous/ ongoing illnesses
• meds
• prophylaxis
• previous anaesthesia and surgery
• fasting

Question 12

pre anaesthesia exam

Answer 12

• weight
• heart rate
• resp rate
• CRT
• mm colour and refill
• temp

Question 13

plastic conduit tubes

Answer 13

which carry anaesthetic mixture (oxygen, nitrous oxide and vapour) to patient

Question 14

oxygen flowmeter

Answer 14

source of oxygen flow

Question 15

vapouriser

Answer 15

oxygen and nitrous oxide flow into the vaporizer to pick up anaesthetic vapour

Question 16

nitrous oxide flowmeter

Answer 16

source of nitrous oxide flow

Question 17

rebreathing bag

Answer 17

into which anesthetized patient breathes

Question 18

anesthesia plan

Answer 18

• individualized for each patient
• responses to anticipated problems
• emergency drug and dosages prepped

Question 19

anticipated problems

Answer 19

• hypothermia
• hypoventilation (inadequate ventilation of the lungs)
• bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• hypoxemia (low blood oxygen)

Question 20

physiological considerations

Answer 20

• respiratory; provide oxygen; remove CO2
• cardiovascular; perfusion of tissues w blood
• hepatic; drug metabolism (removal)
• CNS (sleep, wake)
• renal; elimination of drugs
• GIT (fluid and electrolyte balance)
• endocrine (autoregulation)

Question 21

monitor comes from the latin word

Answer 21

monere= to warn

Question 22

why monitor

Answer 22

• patient must be unaware
• patient must have adequate analgesia
• patient must be still and in a stable physiological state
• anaesthesia must be reversible

Question 23

monitoring devices do NOT

Answer 23

replace anaesthetists

Question 24

philosophy 1 of monitoring

Answer 24

when measuring things biological, one measurement gives a window into a dynamic situation

repeated measurements give some idea of the dynamic pic

Question 25

philosophy 2 of monitoring

Answer 25

all monitors have limited accuracy and reliability

trends can mean more than numerical values

Question 26

philosophy 3 of monitoring

Answer 26

best equipment does not equal a good job of monitoring

check patient before checking the monitor

monitor the patient not the monitor

monitors should not/cannot replace a skilled anaesthetist

Question 27

straight lines on a chart do not mean

Answer 27

you have done a good job

Question 28

what kills more patients; surgery or anaesthesia

Answer 28

anaesthesia