1. Introduction Flashcards
What does it mean for anesthesia to be partial?
Local anesthesia
What are some quick facts about anesthesia to be aware about?
It is loss of feeling or sensation (including pain), it is partial or complete
We are intentionally inducing them
Used to perform surgery oro there painful surgeries
it is reversible,
can be local, regional or general
What is local anesthesia?
loss of feeling or sensation to a specific area due to local desensitization of a peripheral nerve bed
“freezing” line blocks
What is regional anesthesia
loss of feeling or sensation to a portion of the body (limb, abdomen)
Due to desensitization of spinal nerves and/or peripheral nerve bundles
Spinal block, epidural
What is general anesthesia?
Anesthesia due to depression of the CNS
A coma-like state that affects the entire body
Patient neither perceives nor recalls noxious stimuli
Inc risk of adverse effects
What is tranquilization?
Reduces anxiety and produces sense of tranquility.
Anti-anxiety, calm, chillout
Reduces the ability to respond to a stimulus
there is no change in the ability to perceive pain
WHat is sedation?
More profound than transquilization and prods drawsiness and/or hypnosis
The sedatives reduce anxiety, reduce the ability to respond to a stimulus
sedatives also decrease sensation of pain
Animal is CONSCIOUS
3 lvls - light, moderate, heavy sedation
What is surgical anesthesia?
The state of which there is no perception of pain, significant CNS and patient is unconscious
What is the definition of analgesia?
relief of pain without loss of consciousness
What is an analgesic def?
A drug that relieves pain
What is balanced anesthesia?
AKA multimodal anesthesia/analgesia
1. Using multiple drugs in combination
2. In smaller doses than if only using one drug on its own
3. to obtain appropriate CNS depression to perform a specific procedure
Includes: premeds, induction agent, maintenance anesthetic, analgesics (pre- and intra- operative)
What is the benefits of balances anesthesia?
Limits adverse effects of each individual drug
Maximizes the benefits of each drug
Accounts for motor, sensory (PAIN), reflex and mental aspects of the nervous system
What is an example of a balances anesthesia?
Protocol vs drug
Anti-anxiety/emetic = acepromazine
Sedation, pre-emptive analgesia: hydromorphone
Anticholinergic: atropine
Induction: Alfaxalone
Maintenance anesthetic: isoflurane
Epidural: lidocaine, bupivacaine, morphine
Perio-operative analgesia: meloxicam
What must a anesthetic protocol take into account?
The patient, procedure and facilities available
They will constantly change btw patients, and even for the same patient
What is the RVT’s role in anesthesia?
Planning, patient assessment, pre-medication, surgical fluids, induction, surgical prep, maintenance anesthesia, recover (period btw when anesthetic drug is removed and vitals return to normal, animal is conscious), post-operative analgesia
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need to plan before going under anesthesia?
Patient - estimates, required diagnostics, pre-surg medications
organizing with owner (incl fasting req’s)
consent
Equipment and materials - drugs, anesthetic equipment, surgical equipment
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need to assess on our patient before going under
weight, TPR, assess for pre-procedure mentation and pain
any pre-anesthetic dx’s (blood, rads)
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need for pre-meds before going under?
Calculating dosages, administering medications
assessing degree of sedation after administration
responding to adverse reaction to sedation/pre-med
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need for surgical fluids before going under?
setting up surgical fluids
catheter placement
calculating fluid rates based onf fluid plan
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need to induce before going under?
calculating and administering injectable anesthetic dose
endotracheal intubation
assessing depth of anesthesia
patient monitoring
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need to know for maintenance anesthesia before going under?
Operating anesthetic machines for oxygenation and delivery of inhalant drugs
Ensuring fluids and thermosupport
Patient assessment for depth of anesthesia and patient vitals
Monitoring and responding to drug effects; ability to rapidly respond in the case of overdose/arrest
differentiating from pain from other stress
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need to know during the recovery period of anesthesia?
patient monitoring and assessment
extubation, assessing for pain/other physiological stress
requesting appropriate analgesia/sedation if indicated
providing non-pharmacological comfort and care
In regards to the RVT’s role, what might we need for post-operative analgesia for anesthesia
patient monitoring
assessing for pain and comfort
calculating and administering analgesics and ancillary support (ex, PT, IV fluids, antibiotics, nutrition)
What are some fundamental challenges and inherent risks of anesthesia?
Very narrow therapeutic index - consequences of a calculation or administration error
Vital signs and indications of anesthetic depth (must be closely monitored)
Accurate interpretation of visual, tactile, and auditory info from patient, anesthetic equipment and monitoring devices
comprehensive understanding of the significance of physical parameters (HR, RR, reflexes) and machine generated data (BP, O2 sat’n)
Potential for patient harm during administration of anesthetics is relatively high
competence and confidence are earned thru study, practice, persistence, caring attitude, dedication to excellence
