Zero to Finals : General anaesthesia Flashcards
What are the 2 main categories of anaesthesia?
- General
- Regional
Define general anaesthesia
Making the patient unconcious
Define Regional anaesthesia
Blocking feeling to an isolated area of the body
What type of respiratory support is in place during general anesthesia for an operation?
- Intubation / Supraglottic airway device
breathing suppoerted by ventilator
Patient is continuously monitored at all times immediately before, during and after general anaesthesia
Prior to general anaesthesia, what type of preperation must be done?
If possible:
* Fasting (reduce risk of reflux and spiration)
What are the possible consequences of a patient not fasting prior to undergoing general anaesthesia?
Preperation
- Aspiration of gastric contents into airway -> inflammitory response (pneumonitis)
Highest risk before and during intubation and during extubation
What are the 2 major causes of morbidity and mortality in general anaesthetics?
Preperation
- Apiration pneumonitis
- Pneumonia
Although rare in non-emergency planned procedures
How long is the fasting period typically?
Preperation
- 6hrs (no food/feeds) prior to op
- 2 hrs of no clear fluids (NBM)
NBM: nil by mouth
Why is it important to preoxygenate the patinet prior to undergoing general anaesthesia?
Preperation
To provide a reserve of oxygen for the period between when they lose consciousness and are successfully intubated and ventilated (in case the anaesthetist has difficulty establishing the airway)
Patinet breathes 100& O2 for several mins prior to going under
What medications may be given to a patient prior to the undergoing general anaesthesia?
Preperation
- Benzodiazepines (e.g. midazolam): muscle relaxant/reduce anxiety, causes amnesia
- Opiates (e.g. fentayl/alfentanyl): pain management/reducehypertensive response to laryngoscope
- Alpha-2-adregenic agonist (e.g. clonidine): sedation/pain
When is RSI performed?
What is RSI?
RSI= Rapid Sequance Induction/Intubation
- Gain control over the airway (quickly/safely) in emergency situations
- Non-emergency situations where the airway needs to be secured quickly to avoid aspiration (e.g. GORD/Pregnancy )
How may the risks associated with performing RSI be minimised?
Risk: Aspiration of stomach contents
Minimised by:
* Bed positioned upright
* Cricoid pressure (compress oesophagus/prevent reflux- ONLY used by trained/experinced health professionals)
Whta is the triad of General Anaesthesia?
- Hypnosis
- Muscle relaxation
- Analgesia
What 2 modes may hypnosis be induced in patients?
Hyponsis
- IV
- Inhalational
List some hypnotic IV agents used in GA?
- Propofol (the most commonly used)
- Ketamine
- Thiopental sodium (less common)
- Etomidate (rarely used)
What are some adverse effects of propofol?
- Pain on injection (due to activation of the pain receptor TRPA1)
- Hypotension
What is an adverse effectof thiopental?
Laryngospasm
What are some adverse effects of etomidate?
- Primary adrenal suppression (secondary to reversibly inhibiting 11β-hydroxylase)
- Myoclonus
In cases of hameodynamic instability, what IV hypnotic agent is used and why?
Etomidate
Causes less hypotension than propofol and thiopental during induction