Week 10 - Rec and Perform - CNS Depressants

Question 1

What are 2 types of CNS Depressants?

Answer 1

Ethanol

Ketamine

Question 2

What are the characteristics of Ethanol?

Answer 2

• increases impulse activity
• actions at the mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons
• enhance GABA-mediated inhibition

Question 3

What are the presentations and administration of Ketamine?

Answer 3

• clear liquid can be injected, consumed or added to smokable material
• white powder can be dissolved for IV or IM

Question 4

What are the mechanisms and advantages of Ketamine?

Answer 4

• blocks NMDA receptors in CNS
• blocks Ion channels opened by ACh
• muscle tone and respiration remain normal
• no requirement of ET, used for minor or field surgery

Question 5

What are the effects of Ketamine?

Answer 5

Dissociative anaesthesia

• sensory loss
• analgesia
• amnesia
• no loss of consciousness

Question 6

What are the side-effects of Ketamine?

Answer 6

• increased BP and HR
• increase ICP
• delirium, amnesia, depression, long-term memory loss and cognitive difficulties